It's Midday on the Arts. Now, more music, or in this case a musical about music, in a way. Our theater critic, J. Wynn Rousuck, who visits each week with her reviews of Maryland's regional stage, joins Tom today to share her impressions of an unusual new production of Meredith Willson's 1957 classic, The Music Man, now on stage at the Olney Theater Center.
What sets this production apart is that half of the musical's cast is deaf, and the other half hearing, and the presentation uses ASL (American Sign Language) and English supertitles along with conventional song and dialogue. It's complicated, but effective, Judy says.
Starring acclaimed deaf actor James Caverly in the title role, the musical is co-directed by Michael Baron and Sandra Mae Frank, with music direction by Christopher Youstra and special "Artistic Sign Language" direction by Michelle Banks.
The Music Man continues at Olney Theatre Center through July 24. Follow the theater links above for showtimes and ticketing information.
