Florida theatre does a ASL Big River

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 3:36am

Hey, Manatee Players, you guys heard of Jen Cody?

Well, imitation and flattery and all that, I guess...

http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/entertainment/16690957.htm

Updated On: 2/15/07 at 03:36 AM

[secondcity]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 10:22am

I don't get it? What does this have to do with Jen Cody?

[erikaamato]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 10:33am

My guess is that Lizzie is referring to the scandal over the regional production of Urinetown Ms. Cody directed, that allegedly plagiarized the Broadway staging and choreography. (Theft of intellectual property and all that.) It seems like this version of Big River may be flirting with creating a similar problem for themselves by copying the 2003 revival that Jeff Calhoun directed/choreographed and Roundabout/Deaf West/Center Theatre Group produced.

Edited for an error: I thought this was a high school production, but it's not. It's at a local theater. Hmmmmmmmmmmm... Updated On: 2/15/07 at 10:33 AM

[erikaamato]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 10:51am

OK, for what it's worth, there's another article about the production that makes it very clear that they are "staging the Players' version of the show originally produced by the Deaf West Theatre Company, which mixes hearing and hearing-impaired actors who alternately speak or use sign language." So, it seems like they got the rights and all that.

Crisis averted! lol
Players take on 'Big River' challenge

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 10:53am

Manatee Players? Conjures up quite an image of the company.

[erikaamato]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 10:59am

I know, right? I refrained from commenting on that aspect, but it sure is a funny visual. :-P