David J. Kurs

Jean Cocteau's ORPHEE Viewed Through Unique Lens Of Deaf West Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 5, 2020

Orpheus, Eurydice, a trouble-making horse and Death herself converge in a very funny and irreverent reimagining of the Greek myth by surrealist poet, playwright and filmmaker Jean Cocteau. Deaf West Theatre views Cocteau's whimsical, magical and highly visual play, first performed in 1926, through a unique lens: translated from the French into Spoken English by John Savacool, into American Sign Language by Andrew Moore, and slated for a run at the True Colors Festival in Tokyo, Japan at the end of April. Deena Selenow directs Orphée in a visiting production at the Odyssey Theatre, opening March 13 for a four-week run through April 5. Three low-priced previews are set for March 8, March 11 and March 12.

BWW Review: Intimate and Sexually Insightful THE SOLID LIFE OF SUGAR WATER by Deaf West
by Shari Barrett - Sep 17, 2019

Deaf West's THE SOLID LIFE OF SUGAR WATER features Sandra Mae Frank (the extraordinary deaf actor who starred as Wendla in all three of their Spring Awakening productions at Inner-City Arts, at the Wallis and on Broadway) as Alice, who uses ASL to communicate along with deaf actor Tad Cooley who portrays Phil, although his character was not written as hearing-impaired in the script. Speaking actors Natalie Camunas and Nick Apostolina give voice to Alice and Phil's most private thoughts, both in and out of bed, by shadowing the actors and often portraying other characters being described during Alice and Phil's ASL conversations, with the quartet's true partnership presenting both characters visually and verbally to perfection.

Deaf West Theatre Presents Jack Thorne's THE SOLID LIFE OF SUGAR WATER
by Julie Musbach - Aug 13, 2019

Deaf West Theatre presents the American premiere of The Solid Life of Sugar Water by Tony Award-winning playwright Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child).

Deaf West's AMERICAN BUFFALO To Play Columbus this Fall
by BWW News Desk - Oct 18, 2017

Performed simultaneously in American Sign Language and English, this acclaimed production of American Buffalo by Los Angeles-based theatre company Deaf West deftly delivers an extraordinary theatre experience through the remarkable integration of David Mamet's explosive script and the palpable expressiveness of signing.

Lin-Manuel Miranda, HAMILTON, THE COLOR PURPLE & More Win Big at the 2016 Drama League Awards!
by Nicole Rosky - May 20, 2016

The Drama League (Executive Artistic Director, Gabriel Shelian-Shanks) gathers today for the 82nd Annual Drama League Awards Ceremony, hosted by 2016 Tony® Award-nominees, Zachary Levi (She Loves Me) and Megan Hilty (Noises Off), in the Broadway Ballroom at the Marriott Marquis Times Square (1535 Broadway). 

2016 Drama League Awards to Honor Sheldon Harnick, Ivo Van Hove & Deaf West; BroadwayWorld to Live Stream Nominations!
by Tyler Peterson - Mar 21, 2016

The Drama League will recognize three outstanding stage luminaries at this year's 82nd Annual Drama League Awards, set for Friday afternoon, May 20, 2016 at the Marriott Marquis Times Square, it was announced today.

Deaf West to Take Broadway's SPRING AWAKENING on Tour in 2017!
by BWW News Desk - Dec 9, 2015

BroadwayWorld is excited to report that Deaf West Theatre's acclaimed Broadway production of Spring Awakening has just announced plans for a national tour to begin in 2017.

SPRING AWAKENING Broadway Revival to be Taped for Lincoln Center Archives
by Tyler Peterson - Dec 3, 2015

The producers of Deaf West Theatre's acclaimed Broadway production of Spring Awakening announced today that the groundbreaking musical will be captured for posterity by New York Public Library's Theatre on Film and Tape archive at Lincoln Center on Tuesday December 8 at 7 PM. 

Broadway Revival of SPRING AWAKENING to Offer Inside Look at Translating Lyrics Into ASL
by Tyler Peterson - Nov 24, 2015

An interactive American Sign Language experience will be held at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre prior to the Tuesday, December 1st performance of Deaf West Theatre's acclaimed production of Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik's Spring Awakening, BroadwayWorld has confirmed. Producer and Deaf West Theatre Artistic Director D.J. Kurs, along with members of the cast, will lead an inside look into the process of translating the lyrics of Spring Awakening into American Sign Language. Signed words and lyrics from the show will be taught, followed by a sing- and sign-along.