Raising the Bar
Photography by Larry Fink
Styling by Maddy Simpson
DUNCAN SHEIK
Age: 37 Native of: Montclair, N.J. and Hilton Head, S.C.
Personal Style: “You know, I went to boarding school in the ’80s, and a lot of my time was spent rebelling against the preppy boarding-school look, wearing Commes des Garçons and all black. Before that, I was a preppy kid. Now I think I’ve landed somewhere in the middle.”
Inspiration for Spring Awakening: “I met [playwright] Steven Sater about eight years ago, because we’re both practicing Buddhists, and he loved the original play. I said I’d like to be involved in it, but only if the music was relevant to what was modern, what twenty-somethings and thirty-somethings are listening to on their iPods, rooted in alternative and indie rock. We started workshopping the piece in 1999, and it’s really satisfying to see such an amazing response. These kids were just doing their high-school musicals last year and now they’re on Broadway—that kind of untapped energy is a fantastic thing to watch.”
KRYSTA RODRIGUEZ
Age: 22 Native of: Orange County, CA
Personal style: “I like to be creative, I layer a lot, and I like multiuse items—if it’s a shirt that I can wear as a dress and as a hat, I’ll be happy! Remy says I’m sophisticated-chic, so I’ll go with that.”
Character: “I have an interesting part because I am the understudy for all of the girls, and I’m a member of the ensemble. Sometimes I have to go on at a moment’s notice—even in the middle of the show—if someone gets sick or hurts themselves. I get to be everybody, so I don’t have to pick a favorite!”
REMY ZAKEN
Age: 18 Native of: Weston, CT
Personal style: “Honestly, most of my stuff is from Abercrombie & Fitch, so I’d say preppy, all-American, laid-back casual. I do have a few eccentric pieces that I use to spice it up.”
Character: “My character, Thea, is the youngest. She’s naïve, the girl who tags along with all of the other girls. She knows all about everyone. She’s boy crazy, and she basically just does what her parents tell her.”
PHOEBE STROLE
Age: 24 Native of: Fort Worth, TX
Personal style: “I’m still trying to find it. I try to be simple, casual, and trendy at the same time, but sometimes that’s impossible!”
Character: “My character is Anna, the good girl. She’s smart, kind of a leader, the girl that’s president of the Student Council—if there were presidents of Student Councils in 1891 Germany.”
