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.
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.
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."
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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).
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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.
Spring Awakening runs Thursdays through Sundays, now through
October 13th. Tickets may be purchased
online by visiting www.steelriver.org and
clicking on the ONLINE TICKETS button on the top right-hand corner of the
screen. To contact the box office directly call 610-970-1199 or email boxoffice@steelriver.org. Please
note: Spring Awakening contains mature themes, sexual content, and adult language.
