The new stars of Spring Awakening (Hunter Parrish, Alexandra Socha and Gerard Canonico) talked with the ploggers about their roles in the musical and the differences between being a teenager then and now.

AS = Alexandra Socha (Wendla)
GC = Gerard Canonico (Moritz)
HP = Hunter Parrish (Melchior)

GC: Teenagers nowadays and teenagers in Spring Awakening deal with similar issues. Sometimes the consequences are also the same. More                     than one hundred tears apart.

AS: Back in 1890's Germany, young people were expected to get married, have children and follow in their family's footsteps. Nowadays, there are                    many more opportunities for us to grow and learn and change the world.

PXP: What have you learned from Spring Awakening?

AS: I've learned that you can't always escape the problems of adolescence. The best way to deal with the problems is not through repression and                    self-hatred, but by being open and honest about the world.

GC: It's amazing how much I've learned about acting while doing this show. The writing is so honest and beautiful, that it makes me focus on being                    real onstage. If I overact, Moritz's character wouldn't be believable. It's so easy to fall into that trap with his character, so I stay honest in how                    frightened he is about growing up.

HP: This is my first Broadway experience and being on stage every night allows me to really mold my craft and find different ways to express myself                    through the character. This entire experience has been so amazing! Everyone involved is great. It doesn't get better than this!

PXP: Why should young people see Spring Awakening?

GC: Young people will be able to connect to the pangs of growing up and discovering themselves and their surrounding.

HP: Spring Awakening is a story of imagination, exploration and freedom! Isn't that what every teenager wants?

GC: And the rock score is amazing!

PXP: What advice do you have for young artists?

AS: Just always remember what you're passionate about and why you love it. The best artists are ones who are passionate for what they're doing. No                    matter how well you can sing or dance, your passion is what shows through the most.

GC: Just keep going and never doubt yourself. If you have a passion to be an
                   actor/singer/musician/etc., just keep pursuing it. It's a difficult life, but it's the most fulfilling one in the entire world!

HP: Work hard, believe in yourself and most of all, listen!