Steel River Playhouse invites the public to attend a facilitated panel discussion about the important themes and issues presented in the breakout Broadway musical, Spring Awakening. The discussion is especially geared to teens, young adults, parents and educators, but the entire community is welcome to attend and participate.
The panel discussion will take place immediately following the performance of Spring Awakening, this Thursday, October 3rd. Curtain time for the performance is 7:30 pm, and the panel discussion will begin at approximately 9:45 pm. All are welcome. For those wishing to see the show in advance, ticket information is listed below. Please note: Spring Awakening contains mature themes, sexual content, and adult language.
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Panel members for Thursday’s discussion include Jena Stoltzfus, Director of the Police Liaison and SAFE Services at Creative Health Services Inc., and the Reverend Dr. Marvin A. Marsh, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Pottstown.
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Ms. Stoltzfus has worked in the Greater Pottstown community for six years, dedicated to improving the health and wellness of individuals. Ms. Stoltzfus currently serves on The Domestic Violence Legal Network of Montgomery County, and Community Partners Against Abuse through TriCounty Community Network. Commenting on the musical, Ms. Stotzfus stated, "Using the arts to promote change is important. Theatre is the perfect template for crossing sexual orientation, gender, age, and cultural barriers that oppressed people face. Spring Awakening is an excellent example of that."
The Rev. Dr. Marvin A. Marsh has been pastor of the First Baptist Church since 1996. Previously, he served as the national director of the Neighborhood Action Program for American Baptist Churches. He presently serves as the first vice president of Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania and has volunteered for the Youth Aid Panel of the Montgomery County District Attorney's office for over ten years. Regarding Spring Awakening, he says, "It's amazing that this play was written in the 1890s. It weaves the social dilemmas of sex education, homosexuality, abortion, bullying, child abuse and suicide with all the denial one would expect of our contemporary culture."
Winner of 8 Tony Awards (including Best Musical), 4 Olivier Awards (including Best Musical), and 4 Drama Desk Awards, Spring Awakening is a cross-generational phenomenon that transcends age and cultural barriers. It’s a musical adaptation of Frank Wedekind’s controversial expressionistic play from 1891, about the trials, tribulations, and exhilaration of the teen years – issues that still resonate with teens and adults today. Told with poignancy and passion, it’s a gripping celebration of youth and self-discovery in a world of unresponsive adults. With a true indie-rock score, the music has been described as “the most gorgeous Broadway score this decade” (Entertainment Weekly).
Set in a late 19th century German village, Spring Awakening features contemporary, energetic and soulful music and choreography that bridges the gap between past and present. The story follows a group of teenage friends exploring their journey from adolescence to adulthood, facing love, societal roles, parent expectations, and missed opportunities for communication and understanding.
