The production of the angst rock musical “Spring Awakening,” telling a cautionary tale of what happens when adults are distrusting of youth, and the importance of communication, patience, and understanding between adults and children, will open on Friday, April 5, at Community Little Theatre in Auburn.

It is 1891 in Germany and a group of young teenagers are beginning their journey from adolescence to adulthood. The teenagers begin to face new challenges, and realities such as the exploration of their own sexuality, passing on to the next grade, and adults betraying and failing them.

“Spring Awakening” is based on the 1891 work of the same name written by dramatist Frank Wedekind. It was turned into a musical with music by Duncan Sheik and book and lyric by Stephen Sater and made its Broadway debut in 2006, with leads Wendla and Melchior portrayed by Lea Michelle and Jonathan Groff respectively.

Since its 2006 Broadway run, the show was revived in both West End and on Broadway in 2015 with a notable cast made up of both deaf and hearing actors. In 2022, HBO premiered a documentary titled “Spring Awakening: Those You’ve Known” chronicling the show’s 15 year, one night only reunion that took place in November 2021.

The cast assembled for this show includes CLT veterans and several new faces. CLT veteran Jason Pelletier as all of the Adult Male roles including Headmaster Knochenbruch, and Herr Stiefel; Abram Dwyer as the troubled Mortiz Stiefel; Mackenzie Richard as Ilse Neumann, a young girl who has escaped from her home; Ansley Watson as the young and innocent, Thea; Megan Walz as free-spirited, Anna; Bluee Brewster as the overly-confident Hanschen Rillow; Archer Slater as the energetic Georg Zirschnitz; Edward Angelo as the shy Otto; and Elise Christie as all of the Adult Woman roles including Melchior’s mother, and Fraulein Knuppeldick, the stern teacher. Newcomers to the CLT stage include Julia Badaraco as the innocent and curious Wendla Bergmann; Savage Bloomer as rebellious and intelligent Melchior Gabor; Mikayla Jane as the strong, and kind Martha Bessell; and Anthony Delorme as the sweet, naive Ernst Robel.

Becca Tinkham, director of “Spring Awakening” has been assisted by an experienced crew led by assistant director Sophia Wood, stage manager Brandon Chaloux, music director Paul Caron, and producer Germaine Robinson. Set construction led by Gregory Lambert, costumes led by Sophia Wood, Mackenzie Richard, and Max Button, lighting design by Danny Gay, hair and makeup led by Amanda Robinson, and properties done by Brandon Chaloux. Headshots for the show were done by DNA Photography. Photos for the show were done by Sophia Wood.

“Spring Awakening” is Rated R and contains Content and Trigger Warnings due to mentions of verbal, physical, and sexual abuse, mental illness, abortion, death, and depictions of suicide and sexual content.

Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. on April 5, 6, 7, 11, and 12; and at 2 p.m. on Jan. 8, 13, and 14. Ticket prices (including all fees) are $25 for adults, $22 for seniors and students, and $17 for children ages 13 and under. Tickets may also be purchased at the door. Tickets are available online at laclt.com or by calling 207-783-0958. Community Little Theatre is located at 30 Academy St., Auburn.

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