Next month, a new production of Spring Awakening directed by and starring Casey Likes will premiere in Scottsdale, Arizona, alongside a new documentary exploring the genesis of the show with book and lyric writer Steven Sater. The Arizona production runs April 4-13.
Get a first look at scenes from the documentary in the video above, which captures a conversation between Likes and Sater as they discuss the evolution of the character Georg, and how Skyler Astin came to originate the role on Broadway.
The production is the latest in Likes' mission to bring greater theatrical attention back to his home state, following his 2024 staging of Rent. The culmination of Likes and Sater's working relationship, the documentary will be shown in a pre-show capacity at the venue, much like Likes' first documentary exploring the relationship between Jonathan Larson and Roger Bart was shown alongside Rent.
"The duo of bringing these unheard stories from theatrical legends, combined with state of the art, bold productions to follow is part of the mission I personally have given myself to grow and elevate theatre communities outside of just Broadway," Likes shares, "especially in my home state of AZ, where talent is endless."
Likes will direct and star as Melchior in the production, which features music and lyrics by Duncan Sheik and a book and lyrics by Sater.
In addition to Likes, Spring Awakening will also star Carson Stewart (The Notebook) as Moritz, Jessie Jo Aka (An Axemas Story) as Wendla, Johnna Dias Watson (Wednesday, Motorheads) as Ilse, and Desmond Woodward as Hanschen.
They will be supported by Stephanie Likes (Les Mis茅rables) as the Adult Women, Christian Johannsen (El Otro Oz) as Martha, Mia Cherise Hall (Relapse), Caleb Reese as the Adult Men, Micah J. Lawrence as Ernst, Eric Liu as Georg, Breagh Watson as Anna, and Josh Ransford as Otto; and a movement ensemble consisting of Reese, Evan Kaushesh, Claire Likes, Angelica Santana, Andrew Matcuk, and JP Moore.
Spring Awakening will be music directed by Alan Plado (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), and will feature choreography by Brach Drew. The production will also have set design by Likes, Diana Likes, Pete Bish, and Chase Budden; lighting design by Dale Nakagawa; sound design by Bish; and consent direction by Cel Sanel. In all, this is the third producing collaboration between Likes and Scottsdale Community Players.
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