Big River Revival?

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 9:50pm

I didn't know there was a revival in 2004! Was it a flop? How was it?

[SallyBrown]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 9:52pm

Oh I didn't know either.

I strongly dislike that show.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 9:54pm

Wow, where have you guys been?

It was spectacular.

Updated On: 1/2/07 at 09:54 PM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 9:56pm

It was Roundabout - therefore it was no flop.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 9:57pm

Oh, it did look fantastic!

Updated On: 1/2/07 at 09:57 PM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 9:58pm

BAHHHHHLEETED

[D2]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 9:58pm

It was a co-production with Deaf West Theatre and the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum and it was spectacular, as LizzieCurry stated. IMHO it was better than the original.

[SallyBrown]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 10:06pm

Yup had no idea.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 10:08pm

It was really a wonderful and unique production. When it came to Philly, there were 2-3 front rows of hearing impared theater patrons, who loved it. The signing actors were making them laugh by intentionally making siging mistakes that only they could understand. It was fun watching them enjoy the show as well.

Besides, anytime you can sit back with Michael McElroy for 2 hours is a goooood time!




Deaf West's Big River Review- BWW Philly

Updated On: 1/2/07 at 10:08 PM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 10:14pm

I started taking ASL after I saw Big River, and I thought some of the translations were really nice -- the sign for "friendship" in "Worlds Apart" is actually the sign for "best-friend," not "friend," (it's a different word) and they changed "I gotta need" in "Muddy Water" to "I gotta dream."

[WalkOn]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 10:21pm

I saw it L.A. before it transfered. It was a real pleasure. You the actors "signing" never got in the way. I'll always remember it with fondness.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 10:33pm

It was an absolutely brilliant production and should have won Best Revival and Tyronne Giordano should have at least been nominated for Best Actor.
It had one of the most heart stopping moments I have ever experienced when the Cast was singing and signing I AM WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO SHINE, at one point they just stopped and the Theatre was dead Silent as the actors continued signing.
For the first second the mixture of being deaf and watching a musical became one and when they started singing again the audience just gasped. Amazing.
It also was Michael Arden's first Braodway show, he played Tom Sawyer and was hysterical.

[shiksa_goddess]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 10:50pm

I loved that production! I did not (and still don't) like the original production of Big River, but I went to see the show because I am fluent in ASL and loved it. The cast was wonderful and it was really beautiful seeing everyone signing the songs.

[lite2shine]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 11:09pm

The revival got a Tony Honor Excellence Award, but they should have been allowed to perform at Tony Award too

I love love love love this production, and ended up following the tour almost all over the country :P You can guess where I took my HN from too.

I interviewed many cast/crew members (they were so great) and posted on a fan site.
Big River Fan Site

[OasisBroadway]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 11:02am

I have to agree with CurtainPullDowner. The silence that came so abruptly in the theater during that song while the actors continued to sign was one of the most stunning things I have ever witnessed in a theater.

It was also great to hear Gwen Stewart singing live again.

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 12:23pm

Brilliant production. It definitely should have won Revival that year or at least get more nominations, particularly for Actor and Director.

~Steven

[theatrespaz]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 12:56pm

I have to echo the sentiments of CurtainPullDowner when it comes to "Waiting for the Light to Shine". Absolutely breathtaking. I was fortunate to see it on tour 4 times when it stopped by the theatre I work at and was so happy that a good majority of the Broadway cast came along with it. I wish they had made a revival cast recording. Still one of the highlights of my theatre-going life.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 1:05pm

I don't think a cast recording would've done this justice, mainly because of the nature of the show.

PBS broadcast? Oh yes.

[theatrespaz]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 1:12pm

You know, I completely see your point. A PBS broadcast would have been sublime.

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 1:22pm

I saw the tour and absolutely loved it. It (finally) made me a fan of the show. I was afraid it would be gimmicky, but it seemed to work, somehow.

And Tyrone Giordano was fantastically cute.

[purpleprince101]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 1:35pm

saw it...by why was it with some deaf people.....I mean i still liked it in all and i thought it was a fantastic production.
Updated On: 1/4/07 at 01:35 PM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 1:40pm

They weren't all deaf.

...aaaaaaand you pretty much missed the point anyway, so does anyone else want to take this?

Updated On: 1/4/07 at 01:40 PM

[D2]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 1:42pm

Head, meet desk.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 1:45pm

signing an expletive.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 1:46pm

TRUE-BIZ