WEST SIDE STORY: Deaf vs Hearing (ABC News w/Video)

[EugLoven]

Posted: 11/25/08 at 10:14pm

INSPIRING!!!

ABC News Reports
HIGH SCHOOL PUTS INNOVATIVE TWIST ON MUSICAL
http://abcnews.go.com/WN/Story?id=6330369


South Plantation's production of the Broadway musical West Side Story had a special twist. The school is Broward County's main high school for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, so when auditions were held, 120 students turned-out for 50 coveted spots. Among them, a handful of deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

Drama teacher Jason Zembuch: "What's inherent in the script is that we have a clash of two cultures," Zembuch said. "The original production is a clash between the Puerto Ricans and the Americans. In this production, we have a clash of not only the Puerto Ricans and the Americans but also the deaf and the hearing."

Zembuch adapted the story: The Jets are hearing and most of the Sharks are deaf, including Maria. Initially, the love struck couple - Maria and Tony - can't communicate until Tony learns to sign.

It was clear this production took enormous time and dedication. But is also took a lot of money: $43,000. None of it came from the school board, the county or the state, so the students had to raise every penny of it. With candy sales, car washes, program sponsors and ticket sales, the money was raised. The cast -- hearing and deaf -- bonded.

By aiming high, this ambitious production found a way to add new meaning to a familiar, old story.

(partial) Read entire story at above link

Updated On: 11/25/08 at 10:14 PM

[CapnHook]

Posted: 11/25/08 at 10:17pm

That is very inspiring!! Wish I could see it!

More videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbtrCS3XXEA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQNt0TTe0Xs

Updated On: 11/25/08 at 10:17 PM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 11/25/08 at 10:50pm

Did they get permission? I can't see this being completely legal unless they somehow added an entirely new element without adding any new lines.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/25/08 at 11:02pm

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardid=1&boardname=bway&thread=984886

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/25/08 at 11:18pm

Ok...first I do want to say: wonderful idea and what a fabulous way to incorporate the hearing impaired into a school wide activity.

BUT: Can someone explain to me how this could cost 43K dollars to produce????? If the teacher himself adapted it (which is probably illegal....unless he obtained permission of course) Why did it cost so much money????? I have produced WSS, among many, MANY other HS plays. It DOESN"T cost that kind of money!!!! That is most troubling!

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 11/25/08 at 11:35pm

Well, the set looked pretty good. We never had any sets like that at my high school...

[sondheimgeek]

Posted: 11/25/08 at 11:37pm

"BUT: Can someone explain to me how this could cost 43K dollars to produce????? If the teacher himself adapted it (which is probably illegal....unless he obtained permission of course) Why did it cost so much money????? I have produced WSS, among many, MANY other HS plays. It DOESN"T cost that kind of money!!!! That is most troubling!

Well it can. It doesn't matter what the show is, it matters about the designs and the actors. I recently worked on a production of a musical that amounted to over $30,000. It's not hard to rack up the budget, but it's also not hard to create an effective, minimalistic design. This high school chose not to do a minimalistic design. For all we know the entire set was built from wood that they had to buy, paint had to be bought, costumes or at least materials needed to be bought, if outside designers were involved they would need to be paid, lighting equiptment, etc. Because we don't know exactly what they bought we can't determine why it cost $43,000. But for any production that's not a high cost. It's not a small amount, but it's not the worst they could do.

I've worked with both high budgets and no budgets at all. It depends on the creativity and professionalism of the designers to create a great design no matter the budget.

[cello_dude]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 1:13am

No offense but this could make a good South Park episode
Updated On: 11/26/08 at 01:13 AM