Note the handshapes for the ASL alphabet spelling Big River behind Huck and Jim |
The revival was unique in that it was a Deaf West Theater production and featured both deaf and hearing actors portraying Mark Twain's iconic characters. All of the dialogue and lyrics were signed and spoken in a creative interplay between the two communication modalities.
I fell in love with Big River when it was originally produced. I would walk past the theater everyday on my way to work and wish I were playing Huck. I'd sing along to the record with my friend Denise, using my bed as a raft whilst belting out the song Muddy Water. It was the first Broadway show my sister ever saw and I was thrilled to take her. It's a brilliant and important show.
I had even played Huckleberry Finn when I was 19 years old in a children's theater production of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
Playing Huck (bottom right) in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer |
So, when I heard that a local theater was holding auditions for the Deaf West version of Big River I couldn't resist the temptation to show up and give it a go. In this production two actors share the role of Huck and I was pretty sure this would be the last opportunity I'd have to play the crafty 14-year-old. I was auditioning to speak/sing the role for another actor who would be signing on stage. That other Huck would need to fit the character description, I did not.
It all worked out beautifully. I was offered the role - something to cross off my bucket list! I look forward to throwing myself into a creative endeavor that is outside the confines of formal education. And I couldn't ask for anything better than Big River and Huck!
7 comments:
Pretty awesome Huck! xo
That is awesome!
"Break a leg"
Margie :)
How cool is that? Wish I could see the production!
Way to go, Gary!!
Thanks everybody!
Love all your on line presence. I'm currently making ASL eBooks. Can we communicate?
All children deserve books in their first language.
I'm...
Michael Hughes
38 years teaching middle school English, 33 years of it in international schools.
Mhughes5@mac.com
ADE, MAET
Love all your on line presence. I'm currently making ASL eBooks. Can we communicate?
All children deserve books in their first language.
I'm...
Michael Hughes
38 years teaching middle school English, 33 years of it in international schools.
Mhughes5@mac.com
ADE, MAET
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