I didn't know there was a revival in 2004! Was it a flop? How was it?
"I'm tellin' you, the only times I really feel the presence of God are when I'm having sex and during a great Broadway musical." - Nathan Lane - Jeffrey
"It's a great feeling of power to be naked in front of people. We're happy to watch actual incredible graphic violence and gore, but as soon as somebody's naked it seems like the public goes a bit bananas about the whole thing."
"I'm tellin' you, the only times I really feel the presence of God are when I'm having sex and during a great Broadway musical." - Nathan Lane - Jeffrey
It was a co-production with Deaf West Theatre and the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum and it was spectacular, as LizzieCurry stated. IMHO it was better than the original.
Cheyenne Jackson tickled me. AFTER ordering SoMMS a drink but NOT tickling him, and hanging out with Girly in his dressing room (where he DIDN'T tickle her) but BEFORE we got married. To others. And then he tweeted Boobs. He also tweeted he's good friends with some chick on "The Voice" who just happens to be good friends with Tink's ex. And I'm still married. Oh, and this just in: "Pettiness, spite, malice ....Such ugly emotions... So sad." - After Eight, talking about MEEEEEEEE!!! I'm so honored! :-)
"It's a great feeling of power to be naked in front of people. We're happy to watch actual incredible graphic violence and gore, but as soon as somebody's naked it seems like the public goes a bit bananas about the whole thing."
It was really a wonderful and unique production. When it came to Philly, there were 2-3 front rows of hearing impared theater patrons, who loved it. The signing actors were making them laugh by intentionally making siging mistakes that only they could understand. It was fun watching them enjoy the show as well.
Besides, anytime you can sit back with Michael McElroy for 2 hours is a goooood time!
I started taking ASL after I saw Big River, and I thought some of the translations were really nice -- the sign for "friendship" in "Worlds Apart" is actually the sign for "best-friend," not "friend," (it's a different word) and they changed "I gotta need" in "Muddy Water" to "I gotta dream."
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
It was an absolutely brilliant production and should have won Best Revival and Tyronne Giordano should have at least been nominated for Best Actor. It had one of the most heart stopping moments I have ever experienced when the Cast was singing and signing I AM WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO SHINE, at one point they just stopped and the Theatre was dead Silent as the actors continued signing. For the first second the mixture of being deaf and watching a musical became one and when they started singing again the audience just gasped. Amazing. It also was Michael Arden's first Braodway show, he played Tom Sawyer and was hysterical.
I loved that production! I did not (and still don't) like the original production of Big River, but I went to see the show because I am fluent in ASL and loved it. The cast was wonderful and it was really beautiful seeing everyone signing the songs.
I have to agree with CurtainPullDowner. The silence that came so abruptly in the theater during that song while the actors continued to sign was one of the most stunning things I have ever witnessed in a theater.
It was also great to hear Gwen Stewart singing live again.
I have to echo the sentiments of CurtainPullDowner when it comes to "Waiting for the Light to Shine". Absolutely breathtaking. I was fortunate to see it on tour 4 times when it stopped by the theatre I work at and was so happy that a good majority of the Broadway cast came along with it. I wish they had made a revival cast recording. Still one of the highlights of my theatre-going life.
saw it...by why was it with some deaf people.....I mean i still liked it in all and i thought it was a fantastic production. Updated On: 1/4/07 at 01:35 PM
Cheyenne Jackson tickled me. AFTER ordering SoMMS a drink but NOT tickling him, and hanging out with Girly in his dressing room (where he DIDN'T tickle her) but BEFORE we got married. To others. And then he tweeted Boobs. He also tweeted he's good friends with some chick on "The Voice" who just happens to be good friends with Tink's ex. And I'm still married. Oh, and this just in: "Pettiness, spite, malice ....Such ugly emotions... So sad." - After Eight, talking about MEEEEEEEE!!! I'm so honored! :-)