Deaf West Spring Awakening to NYC?- Page 4

[temms]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 1:52pm

I hope it does well. I worked on the Deaf West "Big River" in NY and also on tour and it remains one of, if not the, most amazing things I've ever worked on. Pretty much everyone I dragged to it agreed with me, even those who don't care for "Big River" in general.

But it was a tough sell to get people in the door, in NY and everywhere. I had to beg friends to come. Nobody was interested in "Big River" with Deaf people until they saw it and it agreed it was one of the most profoundly moving pieces of theatre they'd ever seen. One colleague said to me with tears in her eyes after seeing a performance, "Productions like this make me proud to do theatre for a living." I wasn't at the theatre every night so I sometimes had friends seeing it, and my phone would ring at 10:45 with a weeping voice on the other end saying "That was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen! Thank you for making me go!"

It sounds like "Special Needs" theatre where the performers mean well but can't quite cut it, but I learned that Deaf actors can give just as fully realized and resonant a performance without using any words as a speaking actor can. Even in a musical when they're not actually doing the singing. And they so rarely get the opportunity for such a wide audience.

I choose to have faith that the public will embrace it, despite how recent the original was. Deaf West does amazing work.

Updated On: 7/1/15 at 01:52 PM

[NewsiesForever]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 2:08pm

"^Fankhauser already has a national tour lined up..."

 Are you sure? The link has been deleted

[NewsiesForever]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 2:08pm

"^Fankhauser already has a national tour lined up..."

 Are you sure? The link has been deleted

[Bwaydide92]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 2:41pm

I think how recent Spring Awakening was on Broadway might actually help it succeed this time. When the original production was on Broadway, the audiences consisted of a lot of teenagers and young adults. 6 years after its closing, we're all now out of college and making some sort of disposable income, or love the show so much we are willing to spend the money to see it back on Broadway. I think its target audience just has an even wider range than the original production could have had. Plus, it's just an amazing piece of theatrical art that will help it better appeal to older audiences. And then add that it's 100% deaf and hard of hearing friendly. Not saying it will succeed, but it probably has a better chance now than it would in another 5 or 10 years.

Also, isn't the Broadhurst opening up soon? Or is it already booked once MAMA MIA closes? And I've never been to that theatre, so would it be a good choice for this kind of production? 

I know the Helen Hayes isn't available, but it would be the perfect theatre for this production, or Circle in the Square, but that's definitely not going to happen.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 2:59pm

^Misery is going into the Broadhurst in the fall.

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 3:06pm

Can someone explain to me how exactly Deaf Wests productions are deaf friendly? Do they have a screen with the lines on it? Also, that would mean Duncan Sheik would have 2 of his shows on Broadway at once. 

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 3:27pm

I agree that the Hayes would ensure a great space and a lengthy run for this revival but the only problem is that Dames at Sea is booked there and Second Stage is moving in near 2017. 

Can I just say that discussing Spring as a revival is not something I would have imagined doing this soon. I would have thought we'd need to wait a while longer. But still very exciting. 

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 3:31pm

No, Philly. They use ASL. Google is your friend.

http://www.americantheatre.org/2014/10/19/signs-of-the-times-spring-awakening-at-deaf-west/

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 3:33pm

""^Fankhauser already has a national tour lined up..."

 Are you sure? The link has been deleted

"

That doesn't mean it's not still happening.

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 3:39pm

Interesting thought that Spring Awakening would serve as a placeholder for American Psycho.

 

UPDATE, 10:50 AM: News of the move that will bring a revival of Spring Awakening to Broadway in the fall renewed talk about Duncan Sheik’s new musical-in-waiting, American Psycho, based on the Bret Easton Ellis novel about New York in the throes of ’80s greed. Telsey & Co. has been casting that show, which had its premiere last year in the U.K., for Broadway, with plans to begin rehearsals in January, 2016 and previews mid-February in anticipation of a mid-March opening. Rupert Goold is staging, with dances by Lynne Page. Producers David Johnson, Jesse Singer, Jeffrey Richards and Jerry Frankel haven’t announced a theater yet and didn’t immediately respond to a request for information. But a limited run of Spring Awakening could hold a choice theater for the new show.

 

http://deadline.com/2015/07/spring-awakening-revival-broadway-1201464846/

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 3:53pm

^ Which would mean if this does take the Atkinson that Psycho will be taking a Nederlander, rather than a Shubert. Could they make that switch after prior announcing a Shubert? 

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 4:05pm

no they want the Belasco. I just think Spring Awakening is gonna get the Belasco, end up selling really well, and then American Psycho is gonna get the Lyceum 

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 4:14pm

Is your source on that the same as the last thing you assured us was happening: The Chalk Garden taking the Lyceum?

Updated On: 7/1/15 at 04:14 PM

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 4:20pm

Ha! Last I heard the producers of Hedwig weren't planning on packing it in so soon, and I'm sure they've got a ton up their sleeve to get through the winter months again if that's the case. 

Also, as stated above, they are already in talks for the Atkinson. So, no, the Belasco is probably out (at least out of this equation). 

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 4:23pm

well idk about spring awakening, but the theatre that the American psycho producers want is the Belasco. Who came up with this "placeholder" idea?

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 4:33pm

And they wouldn't say they were going into a shubert house if they wanted a nederlander house. So obviously this placeholder idea is untrue. Spring awakening will get the Brooks then, and American psycho is still going into a shubert house; the belasco

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 4:42pm

Ok philly. 

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 5:32pm

The story is told through a variety of stagecraft devices. Each of the deaf actors has a speaking and singing 'shadow' version of their character who speaks while the deaf actor signs using ASL.

 The production does also include very clever use of projections (especially in the school scenes) which act as subtitles in moments where ASL isn't being simultaneously used.

It's all very clever -- but the pace is much slower than a traditional production of the musical.

Updated On: 7/1/15 at 05:32 PM

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 5:35pm

Andy Mientus just tweeted sign language for "Yes", so I assume most casting will stay in tact. I'm hoping Krysta comes too. I think she could get her first Tony nom. She plays Ilse better than I've ever seen her played before.

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 6:06pm

Krysta's Ilse was heartbreaking. She was a true highlight of the production. I'd love to see her continue with the show. I just don't know if she'll leave burgeoning TV career.

ETA: looking at Krysta's blog, it seems she has relocated to LA and has surgery planned for the summer/fall as part of her on-going cancer treatment. Her health is far more important then my wish for her to come with this show. That being said, she wrote a beautiful blog post about how doing this production has been cathartic for her.

Updated On: 7/1/15 at 06:06 PM

[Jace2017]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 6:36pm

If Krysta doesn't transfer, could Lauren Patten (Fun Home understudy) possibly reprise her role from the original Deaf West production? What made Krysta's Ilse so compelling?  Also was wondering does she not wear a wig? I saw some production pictures and it looks like she was wearing one. 

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 7:01pm

Yeah, they just posted a casting notice. All four of the leads are being replaced and the adult women and men. I'm sure if Krysta was in better health they would have kept her, but it's good to know she is doing well and her health certainly is the thing that matters. Plus, she's doing TV now, which is great for her.

[Bwaydide92]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 7:05pm

I noticed in the audition breakdown that not all of the roles are being looked for. But the leads are being auditioned for. I was wondering, is this a formality that they must do because of Equity? I believe the Melchior, Wendla, and Moritz from the first two productions are not Equity actors, so they can't be guaranteed the roles, correct? Equity actors must be allowed to audition I believe. And so does that mean that Krysta won't be transferring since they are looking for an Ilse. And It seems like Andy Mientus is most likely transferring, since he's Equity and Hanschen isn't in the breakdown.

[mattporter17]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 7:16pm

They just posted a casting notice. So we can assume that any character not listed in the notice will be the performer from the Deaf West production. Ex. Hanschen is not listed so we can assume that Andy will continue to Broadway with it.

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 7:23pm

they should put all of the roles up on the casting notice because thats what they're supposed to do because of equity. Just because a role is or is not on their doesnt mean anything.