Deaf woman at tonys

[maybe1day]

Posted: 6/14/06 at 9:14am

can anybody tell me who the Deaf woman was they flashed during the history clips at the beginning of the tonys? i feel like i should know since i'm a theater geek/enthusiast AND a sign language major...

[fiesta1]

Posted: 6/14/06 at 9:16am

Phyllis Freelich (sp?).
She won Best Actress in a Drama for 'Children of a Lesser God'

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 6/14/06 at 9:32am

FYI, spelled Freilich.

[maybe1day]

Posted: 6/14/06 at 9:33am

thanks, guys! i appreciate it.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 6/14/06 at 2:48pm

The only part I could understand was that she said "My face." The rest was sort of cut off at the beginning and end and she was so excited that my two semesters of ASL weren't good enough to figure it out. But it was wonderful. :) I rewound it several times...maybe1day, did you understand it the same way I did?

Does anyone know if there was an interpreter there in the wings that night, in case she won?

Updated On: 6/14/06 at 02:48 PM

[CJR]

Posted: 6/14/06 at 2:51pm

Im sure there was.....

Not completely related, but Marlee Matlin gave the commencement speech at my best friend's graduation a few weeks ago and there were several interpreters. One for her and one in a section of the Yale Bowl who spent the entire ceremony signing it for deaf attendants.

[cpnchicago]

Posted: 6/14/06 at 3:48pm

Actually, she is saying '... me and my beautiful..." then it cuts her off. Possibly she was getting ready to sign family, crew, cast, who knows.
I'm sure she had an interpreter with her all night for interviews, and then to possibly sit next to her to interpret the show. Possibly they had an interpter on stage for the entire awards show because I'm sure she wasn't the only deaf person involved with that production.
If you're interested in sign language AND theatre, I highly recommend the National Theatre for the Deaf if they ever tour in your town. REALLY talented people and super interesting.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 6/14/06 at 3:53pm

Oh! Beautiful! D'oh. That IS different from "face."

This is what summer breaks do to you.

[cpnchicago]

Posted: 6/14/06 at 4:01pm

No worries, Lizzie. I actually teach deaf kids for a living, so I've got some experience on you. I'm glad you're taking ASL. Good luck with it!

[TLKfan]

Posted: 6/14/06 at 4:10pm

I love her! I saw her in Big River. She is really cool. I hope she does more theatre.

Darn, I have to look at the Tony vid again to she her signing a bit.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 6/14/06 at 9:31pm

More on Phyllis Frelich (who I think is very cool):

http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Star_File.aspx?CI=35502
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phyllis_Frelich

If you watch ER, you may remember her as the Deaf doctor who tried to convince Dr. Benton not to get a cochlear implant for his son.

I hadn't taken ASL at the time I saw her in the Big River tour and wished I had because I wanted to say something to her!

[maybe1day]

Posted: 6/14/06 at 10:30pm

i didn't really realize what she was saying in the clip because i was so shocked. i remember her from ER, though. big river has never came close to kentucky as far as i can remember. lizzie, i know what you mean about summer break. i'm working at a camp for deaf kids in 3 weeks and i have NO idea what i'm gonna due. i'm sooo outta practice!

[TLKfan]

Posted: 6/15/06 at 12:33am

I wish Big River was still around! I am minoring in ASL/deaf studies and now that I am learning I could actually communicate in sign. It's a really cool language.

I remember seeing her on ER, but it's been a while!

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 6/15/06 at 12:47am

[Alix7272]

Posted: 6/15/06 at 2:55am

I can' believe I missed her. I was fast-forwarding through commercials so that's probably why, but I'll have to go back and look. I started taking ASL after seeing Big River and I love it.

If you're interested in Deaf Theatre, you should check out the American Theatre Wing Seminar about Big River. You can watch it for free on the ATW website. It's incredibly interesting and fun to watch. Phyllis Frelich actually talks about her days with the National Theatre for the Deaf, which is what reminded me of it.

[sondwisenheimer]

Posted: 6/15/06 at 3:17am

Having grown up around deaf people, I have always loved seeing their gifts of perception and emotive expression used in stage performance. I'm so glad there have been so many more opportunities to experience this in recent times.

[TLKfan]

Posted: 6/15/06 at 4:38am

I second that. Unfortunately for Deaf West, it takes them a long time to start up a new play or musical. It is a small company, but I think more support would help. Plus, asl and singing at the same time in a musical? It works so well as we see in Big River.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 6/15/06 at 4:41am

Have no fear, Rachel Sheinkin is here!

http://www.deafwest.org/press/ctgsleepingannouncement.html

[Alix7272]

Posted: 6/15/06 at 10:05am

I hope it makes it to the east coast eventually.

[maybe1day]

Posted: 6/15/06 at 1:42pm

companies like deaf west make me want to say screw college and move to cali. its the best of both worlds--asl and theater (not to mention ty giordano's hottness)

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 6/15/06 at 1:47pm

If it is ever rebroadcast and you are a fan or would like to watch a mesmerizing deaf actress' performance, see "Love is Never Silent" with Mare Winningham and Phyllis Freilich. They play mother and daughter and it is one of the greatest tv movies of all time...two amazing performances, and have hankies within reach.

[sondwisenheimer]

Posted: 6/15/06 at 3:23pm

That's a beautiful movie.

[TLKfan]

Posted: 6/15/06 at 3:49pm

Lizzie...yeah I know about that. It was suppose to premier this summer, but now they have pushed it to next year...I don't think I can wait that long! lol

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 6/15/06 at 3:50pm

maybe1day, you did see The Family Stone, right?

(Not a great movie, but Ty's in a lot of the extras on the DVD...)

[maybe1day]

Posted: 6/15/06 at 4:34pm

i love the family stone. i thought it was a good movie (at least MOST of the storylines were good anyway). i love ty in it.