(HOLMDEL, NJ) -- Holmdel Theatre Company presents Spring Awakening across three weekends from July 31 through August 16, 2026. An angsty rock musical adaptation of the seminal play about the trials and tribulations of growing up.
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. The landmark musical is an electrifying fusion of morality, sexuality and rock and roll that is exhilarating audiences across the nation like no other musical in years.
It is Germany, 1891, a world where the grown-ups hold all the cards. The beautiful young Wendla explores the mysteries of her body and wonders aloud where babies come from... until Mama tells her to shut it and put on a proper dress. Elsewhere, the brilliant and fearless young Melchior interrupts a mind-numbing Latin drill to defend his buddy, Moritz – a boy so traumatized by puberty that he can't concentrate on anything... not that the Headmaster cares. He strikes them both and tells them to turn in their lesson.
One afternoon, in a private place in the woods, Melchior and Wendla meet by accident and soon find within themselves a desire unlike anything they've ever felt. As they fumble their way into one another's arms, Moritz flounders and soon fails out of school. When even his one adult friend, Melchior's mother, ignores his plea for help, he is left so distraught that he can't hear the promise of life offered by his outcast friend, Ilse. Naturally, the Headmasters waste no time in pinning the "crime" of Moritz's suicide on Melchior to expel him. And soon, Mama learns that her little Wendla is pregnant. Now the young lovers must struggle against all odds to build a world together for their child.
Performances take place Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30pm; and Sunday matinees at 2:00pm. Tickets are available for purchase online. The Duncan Smith Theater is located at 36 Crawfords Corner Road in Holmdel, New Jersey.
The production is directed by Tina Barone, music directed by Christynn Cardino and co-produced by Laurie Devino and Kristin Fodera.Tina Barone is delighted to bring this story to Monmouth County audiences: "Holmdel Theatre Company's intimate setting is the perfect home for Spring Awakening. This musical challenges us to listen more closely, love more openly, and remember what it felt like to find our place in the world. I'm excited for audiences to experience the extraordinary talent of this cast and the emotional journey they've created together."
The Holmdel Theatre Company production features Simon Thorton as Melchior, Maria Guerrero as Wendla, and Christian Confalone as Moritz. The company includes Rosie Gaeta (Ilse), Jazmynn Perez (Martha), Jake Filangeri (Hanschen), Bryan Reimertz (Ernst), Lucas Rizzuto-Canero (Georg), Steven Belloise (Otto), Colleen Gilgan (Anna), Kylie Mulvihill (Thea), Brian Craig (Adult Man) and Katy Widmer (Adult Woman).
Holmdel Theatre Company at the Duncan Smith Theater (HTC) is a non-profit, semi-professional theatre company dedicated to presenting fresh interpretations of classic plays as well as rarely presented modern dramas and comedies.
HTC is dedicated to providing opportunities for students and non-professionals to work with professional theatre artists in a collaborative, artistic and educational exchange.
There are multiple performances including:
Friday, November 13, 2026
@ 7:30pm
Kean Stage - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center
Union, NJ
Music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison
There are multiple performances including:
Friday, November 13, 2026
@ 8:00pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre)
Princeton, NJ
There are multiple performances including:
Saturday, November 14, 2026
@ 3:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
Middletown, NJ
