BENTON TOWNSHIP — The Lake Michigan College performing arts department will present its spring musical, Spring Awakening at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday in The Hanson Theatre in The Mendel Center of the college’s Benton Harbor campus.
The winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, told by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater through what Entertainment Weekly called, “the most gorgeous Broadway score this decade,” Spring Awakening explores the journey from adolescence to adulthood with a poignancy and passion that is illuminating and unforgettable.
Originally set in 1891, the German production subtitled, “A Children’s Tragedy,” the story addresses issues of sexuality, puberty, rape, abuse abortion, homosexuality and suicide.
Director Paul Mow has updated the LMC production to include the use of current technology such as cell phones, tablets and “QR” quick response codes to bolster the themes of the loss of personal connection in today’s society.
“In a world where we have replaced face-to-face conversation with text messages, Snapchats, tweets and re-tweets, ‘Spring Awakening’ is a grim reminder of what can happen when we quite literally stop talking with each other,” Mow said.
Due to the subject matter, Mow has arranged a symposium at 5:30 p.m. after the Sunday matinee performance. Members on the panel include psychologists Larry and Sandy Feldman, Lakeshore High School Principal Brad Brunner, Boys & Girls Club/BH Teen Center Director Jeffrey Booker, and Mary Jo Schnell, Executive Director for the OutCenter, a local organization that provides support to LGBT people and their families.
Tickets may be purchased in advance at themendelcenter.com or by calling The Mendel Center Box Office at (269) 927-8700, from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Prices are $15 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens. LMC Students are admitted free with a current LMC ID card.
The Lake Michigan College production of ‘Spring Awakening’ is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019.