Tony Winner Stephen Spinella Joins Broadway Cast of Spring Awakening

Two-time Tony Award winner Stephen Spinella has joined the cast of the upcoming Broadway rock musical Spring Awakening. He will replace fellow Tony winner Frank Wood, who played the roles of several adult men during the show's off-Broadway run at the Atlantic Theater.

Spinella won Tony Awards in 1993 and 1994 for originating the part of Prior Walter in the two Angels in America, plays, Millennium Approaches and Perestroika. He also appeared on Broadway in A View from the Bridge, Electra, Our Town and James Joyce's The Dead, earning a third Tony nomination for the latter. Movie credits include And the Band Played On, Virtuosity, Love! Valour! Compassion!, Great Expectations, Cradle Will Rock, Bubble Boy, Connie and Carla, House of D and the upcoming Somebody Like You. On TV, he's been seen on series including Law & Order, Ed, Huff, Alias, Everwood, Will & Grace, 24 and Grey's Anatomy.

A re-imagining of Frank Wedekind's 1891 play with music by Duncan Sheik, book and lyrics by Steven Sater, and direction by Michael Mayer, Spring Awakening boldly depicts how young people navigate the thrilling, confusing and mysterious time of their sexual awakening. The story centers around a brilliant young student named Melchior, his troubled friend Moritz and Wendla, a beautiful young girl on the verge of womanhood.

Spring Awakening starts performances November 16 a day earlier than previously announced and will open December 10.