This history-making production is performed simultaneously in American Sign Language and spoken English by a cast of 28.
Patrick Hoffman, director of the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive, said in a statement, "This new production of Spring Awakening is innovative, smart, and incredibly moving. It is beautifully acted by an amazing cast of ultra-talented performers. It features a sexy and stylish design by Dane Laffrey, Lucy MacKinnon, and Ben Stanton and is staged terrifically by Michael Arden and Spencer Liff. The Theatre on Film and Tape Archive (TOFT) captured the Deaf West production of Big River some years ago and we are thrilled to video record and preserve this kick-ass new interpretation of Spring Awakening in the Archive as well."
The Theatre on Film and Tape Archive is part of the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. Located at Lincoln Center, it is the first and largest archive of its kind in the world, documenting and preserving live theatre performances for theatre history and performing arts research and education for the past 45 years.
Spring Awakening, directed by Michael Arden and choreographed by Spencer Liff, is currently playing on Broadway in a limited engagement through Jan. 24, 2016, at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre (256 West 47th Street).
The Deaf West production of Spring Awakening officially opened on Broadway Sept. 27. It's been nine years since the groundbreaking rock musical stormed Broadway in 2006. Read "The Language of Silence," about how the Deaf and hearing actors communicate.
