Award-winning Broadway musical to ‘Awaken’ audiences

The Tony Award-winning musical “Spring Awakening” is being performed at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the IU Auditorium as part of the 2010-2011 season.

The musical, which first opened on Broadway in 2006, has received critical acclaim for its folk-rock score and mastery of conveying adult situations in a tasteful and relatable light.

Auditorium Director Doug Booher said there was no hesitation when it came to booking the show.

“With appropriate descriptions of the show and providing information to our audience about its mature content, we like to ensure that we are very open about the programs we present,” Booher said.

“Spring Awakening” centers on the lives of teenagers in late 19th century Germany, namely those of Melchior Gabor and his love interest, Wendla Bergmann.

The show opens with Wendla asking her mother to tell her where babies come from — a question her mother brushes off entirely. Meanwhile, Melchior has read many books on the subject and is trying to educate his fellow classmates about the mysteries of the female anatomy and the act of sex.

While “Spring Awakening” only ran on Broadway for two years, totaling 859 performances, both national and European tours have since been formed.

Booher, who had the privilege of seeing “Spring Awakening” in New York City a few years ago, said he was pleased to offer tickets for students at an affordable rate.

“When I saw the show on Broadway, tickets were over $100, so I am very excited to have the opportunity to offer balcony seats to students for under $20,” Booher said.

Student ticket prices range from $20-41 with valid ID, and prices for the general public are $38-60. Tickets can be purchased at the IU Auditorium box office or at www.ticketmaster.com.

“Ticket sales have been going very well thus far,” Booher said. “We hope to reach sellout status by the time the curtain goes up on the 22nd.”