Behind The Scenes with Big River Actors

From: Gallaudet - Mar 15, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 14, 2005
Contact: Joyce M. Patterson
onstage@fordstheatre.org
www.fordstheatre.org
202-638-0896

FORD'S THEATRE
Presents
(FREE)
BEHIND THE SCENES WITH THE ACTORS
IN THE
DEAF WEST THEATRE PRODUCTION
OF
BIG RIVER: THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN
Monday, March 21, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Washington, DC-Ford's Theatre invites the public to a free "Behind the Scenes with the Actors" event on Monday, March 21, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (no tickets required), in conjunction with its co-production of Deaf West Theatre's Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Join Tony nominee Michael McElroy (Jim); Christopher B. Corrigan of Gallaudet University (Huck); and Bill O'Brien (Mark Twain and voice of Huck Finn) as they discuss with the audience their roles and experiences in this exciting Washington premiere.

This innovative production of Big River includes deaf, hard of hearing and hearing actors in a synchronized performance that utilizes spoken English, American Sign Language (ASL), gestures, dance and song. Those elements, paired with storytelling techniques from deaf and hearing cultures, form a "third language" that creates a groundbreaking theatrical experience. Music and lyrics are by Roger Miller, with book by William Hauptman (adapted from the novel by Mark Twain). Ford's production of Big River runs March 18 - May 1, 2005.

Ford's cast includes a number of members of the Washington area deaf community, many of them current or former students of Gallaudet University.

Ford's production of Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is made possible by the generous support of Nortel, Raytheon and ExxonMobil.

Performance Schedule
Running: March 18 - May 1, 2005
Tues.- Sat, 7:30 p.m.
Sun., 2:30 p.m. , March 27-May 1
Sun., 7:30 p.m., March 20 & 27
Sat., 2:30 p.m., March 26-April 16
Wed. & Thurs., 12:00 p.m., March 31; April 7, 13; 20, 21, 27, 28

For more information on Ford's Theatre, please call (202) 347-4833 or visit www.fordstheatre.org.

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