Haven Burton in Spring Awakening?

is it true that Haven Burton played Wendla in one the first workshops of Spring Awakening?

No she played Ilse

I heard she played Wendla and I also heard the whole thing was blown way out of proportion and that she actually played Anna in the first workshop. People have started to accuse Lea Michele of lying about being in all of them so it's weird. However, I don't think Lea was lying. The creative team also backs her up.

Jake. Lea Michele was not Wendla in ALL of the workshops/readings.

she has been involved since the beginning but didn't start as Wendla. I believe Haven did.. or some other girl.

You guys, I happen to know for a FACT that Haven Burton was the first Wendla in the very first workshop of Spring Awakening.

No matter what you ask Lea Michele, she will ALWAYS say "I was the first Wendla." I respect her as performer, and I'm not attacking her or anything, but she just wants to brag that she's been there since the very first day. I know someone who once even told Lea that Haven had played the role of Wendla before her and all she did was brush her off and say, "She must be thinking of some other show."

Either Lea wasn't aware of a workshop before her's, or she just wants bragging rights. Either way, to answer your question, Haven Burton did play Wendla in the original workshop. I believe it was in 2000, but I'm not entirely sure about the date.

---

Updated On: 4/7/08 at 11:12 PM

Wow, nice rebuttal. How would even know the people I'm talking about? What are the odds of your "good friend" being there?

Like I said BEFORE, I'm not accusing Lea of anything. The fact that she's been with the show for so long means absolutely nothing. Why does it mean so much to you anyways if Lea wasn't in ONE workshop?

---

Wow, ok. First of all, I followed the thread on TGO that you're talking about. I know what you're talking about. My friend was there with all those people, I'm not stupid. Second of all, why should I care about whether Lea is in one workshop or not? The point is, I don't think she would LIE. Yes, my friend was there and he said she never mentioned Wendla once. Even the creative team has confirmed Lea as the original Wendla. I know you weren't there either, so our sources are exactly equal. ALL I was saying is exactly what my friend told me. Like I said before, I have heard BOTH sides of the story. I'm NOT saying she wasn't, but I'm just saying the rest of the story I've heard since the thread asked for it. I really attacked you in no way, so it was a little out of place for you to freak out.

Updated On: 4/8/08 at 12:05 AM

I don't, but I don't think she's the kind of person to lie about her career. Also, it's been confirmed by the creatives and I don't think they would lie either. However, I also know that Haven would never lie. My point here was never to call Haven out as a liar, but simply state what I have heard from both sides. There is no bias here, I love both Lea and Haven a lot.

This has turned into something entirely different now.

You don't "think" she's the kind of person to lie about her career?? You DON'T know her. I'm not sure you can "think" anything unless you want to make inaccurate assumptions.

Not that I am doubting your repeated claim that the creative team confirmed it, but where is the evidence? Where did you hear/see this?

I don't exactly know where, but I do know that both the creative team and Lea have said she was the original Wendla. I've been following the show for a year and a half, it's come up a lot. I DO know that Lea values her career (even if she does miss a show like every day) and I don't think she would lie. Misunderstanding? Maybe. Maybe Haven was the 1st Wendla in a workshop they didn't consider official, or maybe she was a full blown official original Wendla. I don't doubt she did the role in workshops. I do doubt lea full out lying, and that's what i'm saying. Here, problem solved

HAVEN BURTON ORIGINATED WENDLA. LEA MICHELE IS A LIAR.

happy?

anything else i can do to make you guys feel better?

Updated On: 4/8/08 at 12:26 AM

I don't understand. You either do the role or not. It's not a matter of if they're "considered" the "official" first performer. She played Wendla, end of story. Of course Sater and Sheik are going to say Lea was the original because she's been working with them for so long. They're not going to accept their Tony's saying, "Thank you to everyone! Oh, especially Haven Burton who did one, tiny workshop like, eight years ago. Thanks again, Haven." No, they're going to say, "Thank you Lea Michele for sticking with us for so long."

EDIT:

I agree with the above poster. It was ridiculous of me for keeping this argument for going on for so long. My apologies.

---

Updated On: 4/8/08 at 12:31 AM

So both of these actresses were like 12 when they created the role?
They both rock, It took some time but I now love lea's voice and would also love to hear Haven sing it.
Does that make me bad?

Updated On: 4/8/08 at 12:38 AM

No, Curtain, that makes you awesome because you have good taste. :)

---