Oregon Contemporary Theatre (OCT) in Eugene is presenting the rock musical Spring Awakening with a unique twist: the live band from Orchestra NEXT is hidden beneath the set, playing from inside the wooden and metal beams that frame the action. Guitarist Jake Jernigan, positioned just a few feet from the actors, watches for a stomp cue to launch the opening downbeat of “The Bitch of Living.”
Local Musicians Gain Stage Experience
Jernigan, 30, is a longtime member of Orchestra NEXT, a nonprofit founded by Brian McWhorter to train the next generation of orchestral musicians in Eugene. Most of the five‑musician band are alumni of the University of Oregon’s jazz studies graduate program. For Jernigan, this is his first experience playing live for a musical theater production, expanding his résumé beyond large‑scale rock tributes such as a 70‑piece Led Zeppelin show.
Collaboration Between OCT and Orchestra NEXT
Producing artistic director Craig Willis praised the partnership, noting that live music adds warmth and depth to both ballet and musical theater, even though it is costly. “We have access to some of the best skilled players in the community, both professional and student,” Willis said. He called the arrangement a “win‑win” for the theater and the musicians.
OCT’s intimate black‑box space typically focuses on plays and new works. This season marks the first time the venue is staging two back‑to‑back musicals, following the success of the rock musical Lizzie last fall, which also featured Orchestra NEXT hidden under the set.
Challenges of Playing Under the Set
Music director Robert Bohall, a UO jazz studies graduate, described the logistical hurdles. “Every single thing we’re doing is pre‑planned,” he explained, emphasizing the need to sync cues with actors’ movements and lines. The band must react to physical cues, such as an actor’s stomp, to start a song at the precise moment.
Because the musicians are situated beneath the set, Bohall enjoys a rare view of the audience, allowing him to gauge reactions in real time. He also highlighted the actors as the hardest‑working members of the production, juggling choreography, dialogue, and musical timing.
Performance Details
Spring Awakening runs from September 12 to September 27, with shows at 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and a 2 p.m. matinee on Sundays. Talk‑back sessions with the cast begin at 4 p.m. after each Sunday performance. Tickets start at $34 and can be purchased online.
The production stays true to the musical’s roots, exploring the struggles of German youths confronting restrictive societal norms and their own emerging identities. While the story’s themes are timeless, the live band brings an immediacy that amplifies the emotional stakes for both performers and audience members.
Future Prospects
Willis acknowledges that a five‑musician band may be near the upper limit for OCT’s current technical capacity, but he sees potential for more small‑scale musical productions in future seasons. “This is probably as big as we’d ever want to get,” he said, noting the 13‑person cast and the audio engineer’s efforts to balance sound.
For Eugene residents seeking a vibrant cultural experience, the live‑under‑the‑set format offers a fresh take on a beloved modern classic, highlighting the city’s thriving arts community and the collaborative spirit between local theater and musicians.
Original reporting: Homepage – Lookout Eugene-Springfield — read the source article.
