'Theatre for the deaf? On Broadway?' It's a question that many theatre fans have asked since July 7, when official word came that Deaf West Theatre's production of Spring Awakening would land on Broadway this fall. The upcoming production, which will run September 8 through January 9 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, will sound the same to fans of the 2006 Tony-winning musical, but it will be performed simultaneously in American Sign Language by a cast of 27.
Wait...what? That's right- this production, which marks the first Broadway revival of the show since it closed in 2009, comes complete with ASL, and though the concept seems revolutionary, this is far from the first time that it has been done (and has worked). Let's review:
Deaf West's acclaimed production of Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik's Spring Awakening, directed by Michael Arden and choreographed by Spencer Liff, just began rehearsals for its Broadway transfer and company member Sean Grandillo is vlogging about the experience. He writes: 'Here's another little peek into what's been going on with us in between the packed schedule of staging the show, rehearsing choreography, music, and ASL, and getting ready to bring our show to New York!'
Original cast member Jonathan Groff recently shared a special moment with Spring Awakening's new 'Melchior', Austin McKenzie, and posted a photo on Twitter. Check it out below!
Deaf West's acclaimed production of Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik's Spring Awakening, directed by Michael Arden and choreographed by Spencer Liff, just began rehearsals for its Broadway transfer and company member Sean Grandillo is vlogging about the experience. He writes: 'So this week the cast of Deaf West's upcoming revival of Spring Awakening on Broadway started our rehearsals, and I couldn't be more excited. I thought I'd vlog my way through the process to share this incredible experience with the world!'
Check out episode 1 below!
Deaf West's acclaimed production of Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik's Spring Awakening, directed by Michael Arden and choreographed by Spencer Liff, just began rehearsals for its Broadway transfer. The Brooks Atkinson Theatre box office will open next Monday, August 17. Check out photos of the marquee below!
BroadwayWorld has confirmed that that Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner Camryn Manheim ('The Practice,' 'Ghost Whisperer'), Drama Desk Award nominee Patrick Page (Cymbeline at Shakespeare in the Park, Casa Valentina, Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark), and Theater World Award winner Russell Harvard (Tribes, 'Fargo,' There Will Be Blood), have completed the casting for Deaf West's acclaimed production of Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik's Spring Awakening, directed byMichael Arden and choreographed by Spencer Liff. Elizabeth Greene and Daniel Marmion also join the production as swings.
Ken Davenport, Cody Lassen, Hunter Arnold and Deaf West Theatre (Artistic Director David J. Kurs) have announced that the rebellious students from the acclaimed Deaf West production of Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik's Spring Awakening, directed by Michael Arden and choreographed by Spencer Liff, will transfer with the musical to Broadway. Four new swings join the Broadway company.
SPRING AWAKENING's original Wendla on Broadway, Lea Michele recently attended Deaf West's SPRING AWAKENING and stopped by after the show to post for pictures with the cast. Check out pics below!
BroadwayWorld.com has learned that the highly-acclaimed production of SPRING AWAKENING currently running through June 14 at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is in active talks for a transfer to New York City after the show's West Coast run.
Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts ('The Wallis'), Deaf West Theatre and Cody Lassen announce Deaf West Theatre's innovative new production of Spring Awakening has been extended for six additional performances through June 14. This eight-time, Tony Award-winning Best Musical is performed simultaneously in American Sign Language and spoken English by a cast of 27. The production has been playing to sold out audiences and critical acclaim since its opening last week.
Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts ('The Wallis'), Deaf West Theatre and Cody Lassen present Deaf West Theatre's innovative new production of the eight-time, Tony Award-winning Best Musical Spring Awakening, opening May 28. This production is performed simultaneously in American Sign Language and spoken English by a cast of 27 for a limited engagement through Sunday, June 7, 2015 in the Bram Goldsmith Theater. Check out a first look below!
Broadway and television performer Krysta Rodriguez may have been diagnosed with breast cancer in September, but that has not stopped her career. In fact, it's quite the opposite.
Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts ('The Wallis'), Deaf West Theatre and Cody Lassen present Deaf West Theatre's innovative new production of the eight-time, Tony Award-winning Best Musical Spring Awakening, opening tonight, May 28. This production is performed simultaneously in American Sign Language and spoken English by a cast of 27 for a limited engagement through Sunday, June 7, 2015 in the Bram Goldsmith Theater.
Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts ('The Wallis'), Deaf West Theatre and Cody Lassen present Deaf West Theatre's innovative new production of the eight-time, Tony Award-winning Best Musical Spring Awakening, opening tomorrow, May 28. This production is performed simultaneously in American Sign Language and spoken English by a cast of 27 for a limited engagement through Sunday, June 7, 2015 in the Bram Goldsmith Theater. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!
Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts ('The Wallis'), Deaf West Theatre and Cody Lassen present Spring Awakening, the Tony Award-winning best musical that has a limited 22-performance engagement tonight, May 21 to Sunday, June 7, 2015 (press opening May 28) in the Bram Goldsmith Theater.
Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts ('The Wallis'), Deaf West Theatre and Cody Lassen announce casting for Spring Awakening, the Tony Award-winning best musical that has a limited 22-performance engagement Thursday, May 21 to Sunday, June 7, 2015 (press opening May 28) in the Bram Goldsmith Theater.
This just in! Tony winner and Broadway superstar Idina Menzel will sing the National Anthem and John Legend will sing 'America The Beautiful' as part of Super Bowl XLIX pregame festivities at University of Phoenix Stadium in Arizona on Sunday, February 1, the NFL and NBC announced today. The performances will be televised live on NBC prior to kickoff.
Spring Awakening -- extending through Nov. 9. Deaf West Theatre, in association with The Forest of Arden -- reinvents the multiple Tony Award-winning musical about lost innocence and the struggles of youth with an immersive production performed simultaneously in American Sign Language and spoken English.
Director Michael Arden gives the word discovery new meaning in a spectacular production of Steven Sater (book & lyrics) and Duncan Sheik's (music) Spring Awakening based on Frank Wedekind's 1891 expressionist play. Arden, who has had a long partnership with Deaf West that goes back to Big River, which played in LA and on Broadway, stages the controversial musical in a triangular black box at the Inner City Arts complex in downtown Los Angeles.
