Orange County Register

So what did you have planned for Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26 at 7:30 p.m.?

After you consume your turkey or meatless Tofurky turkey substitute, of course.

How about seeing a hugely talked-about, Tony-award-winning play for half price, or even less, at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa?

If you bring a food donation (no, no you can’t bring leftover cranberry sauce) to the Thanksgiving Day performance of “Spring Awakening,” you can get in for $10, $20 or $30, which can be less than half the regular ticket price for this one performance only. Regular ticket prices top at $70.

This deal is in partnership with Orange County Food Bank. Your food item should be non-perishable.

Be aware that this play has adult themes and sexual situations, so it’s not for the kiddies and maybe not for grandma, unless she’s pretty groovy.

You can buy your tickets now online at OCPAC.org, at the Center’s Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa or by calling 714.556.2787.

When purchasing tickets, patrons need to use the promo code THANKS.

Click here to go to the Thursday performance ticket purchase website and use the promo code in upper right corner.

As of the time I’m writing this, there are center orchestra seats available for $30, back of Tier 1 for $20, or if you really want to be frugal, backs of Tier 2 and Tier 3 for $10.

People who take advantage of this special opportunity should bring non-perishable food items to the performance where Orange County Food Bank will be accepting donations on behalf of the Center and Spring Awakening.

Here’s the website for the Spring Awakening touring company.  There’s a parents’ guide on the website if you want more information about whether it’s suitable for your children.

The Center Box Office, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
Phone -     714.556.2787
Open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily

Here’s more on the play, from OCPAC:
Hailed as the “Best Musical of the Year” by the NY Drama Critics Circle, the Drama Desk, the Outer Critics Circle and the Tony Awards, Spring Awakening has emerged as the most talked about new musical on Broadway. Charles Isherwood of The New York Times proclaimed, “Broadway may never be the same. This brave new musical, haunting and electrifying by turns, restores the mystery and the thrill to that shattering transformation that stirs in all of our souls.” John Heilpern with The New York Observer called the show, “A miracle that must be seen to be believed…The best new musical in a generation.” And Michael Sommers of The Star-Ledger said, “The most explosive new musical since RENT!”

Regular ticket prices for Spring Awakening are $20 - $70. For inquiries about group ticket discounts for 15 or more, call the Group Services office at 714.755.0236. The TTY number is 714.556.2746. The 2 p.m. performance on Saturday, November 28 will be sign-language interpreted.

Cox Communications is the Media Partner of the Center’s 2009-2010 Broadway Series.

Based on the infamous 1891 Frank Wedekind play, Spring Awakening features an electrifying score by Duncan Sheik, book and lyrics by Steven Sater, direction by Michael Mayer and choreography by award-winning Bill T. Jones.

Set against the backdrop of a repressive and provincial late 19th century Germany, Spring Awakening tells the timeless story of teenage self-discovery and budding sexuality as seen through the eyes of three teenagers. Haunting and provocative, Spring Awakening celebrates an unforgettable journey from youth to adulthood with a power, a poignancy and a passion you will never forget.

Set design is by Christine Jones, costume design is by Tony Award-winner Susan Hilferty, lighting design by Tony Award-winner Kevin Adams and sound design by Brian Ronan.

Spring Awakening opened on Broadway on December 10, 2006 at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre, following its world premiere at the Atlantic Theatre Co. The original cast recording of Spring Awakening won the 2008 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album. Spring Awakening is produced by Ira Pittelman, Tom Hulce, Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel and the Atlantic Theatre Co.

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