Awakening renewed conversations within young population

Hobsons Bay residents Francesca Fimeri and Amelia McConnell are taking part in a performance of Spring Awakening as part of Young Australian Broadway Chorus. (Supplied)

Hobsons Bay’s musical theatre talent will be on show in North Melbourne later this month, with local residents Francesca Fimeri and Amelia McConnell part of the cast of the Young Australian Broadway Chorus’ cast of Spring Awakening.

Spring Awakening is a bold musical adaption by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater of German expressionist Frank Wedekind’s controversial 1891 play of the same. Featuring an electrifying rock/pop score, Spring Awakening follows the lives of a group of adolescents as they navigate their entry into sexual awareness.

Spring Awakening was first performed off-Broadway in 2006, with leading roles filled by stars including Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff.

A division of Stage School Australia, the Young Australian Broadway Chorus is coming off the back of sell-out seasons of CATS, Les Misérables and Wicked.

Spring Awakening is running from Thursday, January 12 to Saturday, January 21.

Ms Fimeri said shows and pieces like Spring Awakening and Netflix’s reboot of Heartbreak High encourage healthy discourse within Australia’s young communities.

“I believe it is particularly important for younger teenagers to be exposed to certain experiences so they do not make bad decisions in their own lives as well as people who have gone through these experiences (drug use, sex, gang violence, police brutality) to feel seen and heard,” she said.

Ms McConnell said performing is in her blood.

“My Nanna was in many musical theatre productions in the 60’s and my mum was a dancer,” she said.

“I inherited my vocal talents from my dad, who is also an amazing singer.

“My ultimate future ambition is to perform in large-scale productions here in Australia and also internationally on Broadway and the West End.”

Details: www.springawakening.com.au