Los Angeles’s Tony-winning Deaf West Theatre and Getty Museum have announced a bilingual, outdoor production of Sophocles' Oedipus to be presented this fall at Getty Villa's Barbara and Lawrence Fleischman Theater. The show, which will be presented in American Sign Language (ASL) and spoken English, will begin previews September 1 and open September 7, with a run through October 1.
Cast in the production are Broadway veterans Russell Harvard (To Kill a Mockingbird) in the title role of King Oedipus, joined by Alexandra Wailes (For Colored Girls), Amelia Hensley (Spring Awakening), and Matthew Jaeger (Children of a Lesser God). The cast will also feature Ashlea Hayes (Switched at Birth), Gregor Lopez (Fidelio), Andrew Morrill (The Music Man), On Shiu (The Female Gaze), Akia Takara (All About Araya), and Jon Wolfe Nelson (The L Word). Additional casting will be announced at a later date.
Presented as a psychological murder mystery and political thriller, Oedipus follows King Oedipus as he must face the complexities of legacy, destiny, culture, and language. The production reimagines Sophocles' Greek tragedy through centering American Sign Language and using new technology.
Jenny Koons will direct, leading the creative team which will also include set designer Tanya Orellana, costume designer Jojo Siu, lighting designer Jared A. Sayeg, projection designer Yee Eun Nam, and music and sound designer Peter Bayne. Serving as ASL choreographers will be Andrew Morrill and Alexandria Wailes. DJ Kurs and Laura Hill produce for Deaf West Theatre.
“Bridging the gap between the Deaf and hearing communities is central to Deaf West’s mission,” says DJ Kurs, Artistic Director of Deaf West Theatre, in a statement. “We are excited to bring new life to this classic story. We are thrilled at the opportunity to build upon the early precepts of the art form of theater, such as staging and body language.”
For tickets and more information, visit Getty.edu.
Look at photos of Deaf West's Broadway revival of Spring Awakening:
