The Fountain Theatre is now casting its upcoming production of Cyrano, a co-production with Deaf West Theatre scheduled to open in April. The world premiere of a new play written and directed by Stephen Sachs, Cyrano is a modern day reimagined deaf/hearing version of “Cyrano de Bergerac”, adapted from the Edmond Rostand classic. Acclaimed deaf actor Troy Kotsur will star as Cyrano. The project is supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
STORYLINE: The setting is present day. Cyrano is a brilliant deaf poet in a modern day city. He is hopelessly in love with a beautiful hearing woman, Roxy. But she doesn’t understand sign language and instead loves his hearing brother, Chris. Can Cyrano express his love for Roxy with his hands – the source of such deaf pride and shame? Or must he teach Chris to “speak his words” for him, to woo her? ASL becomes the language of love in this modern sign language spin on a classic love story.
[ROXY] Female, hearing, mid-20’s to 30’s. Beautiful, classy, alluring, intelligent with a likable sense of humor. A lover of language and literature. Smart with a deeply romantic heart. Seeking an experienced stage actress with a wide emotional range and comic/tragic sense. Classical training an asset. Note: DOES NOT NEED TO KNOW SIGN LANGUAGE.
[BRANDON] Male, deaf, 40’s to 60’s. Cyrano’s close friend, confidant and advisor. Kind, gentle, wise, warm-hearted. Likable and easy-going with a whimsical and wry sense of humor. Has deep affection for Cyrano but not afraid to set him straight when needed. Seeking a strong deaf stage actor with a deep emotional well, good comic timing, and strong ASL skills.
[DEAF ENSEMBLE] Male and Female, 20’s – 50’s, versatile actors with a wide emotional range. Seeking experienced and trained stage actors with a strong physicality, alive in their bodies, good comic timing and strong dramatic sense, to play various roles. Must have strong ASL skills.
[HEARING ENSEMBLE] Male and Female, 20’s – 50’s, versatile actors with a wide emotional range. Seeking experienced and trained stage actors with a strong physicality, alive in their bodies, good comic timing and strong dramatic sense, to play various roles. Will play roles and “voice” deaf actors. Prior (or partial) knowledge of sign language a plus, but not required. Note: DOES NOT REQUIRE PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OF SIGN LANGUAGE.
This play will be performed in American Sign Language and Spoken English. Accessible to both deaf and hearing audiences. The deaf characters of the play use ASL and are ”voiced” or ”voice acted” by a member of the Company. NOTE: DOES NOT REQUIRE PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OF SIGN LANGUAGE.
Email Pic & Res to: Stephen@FountainTheatre.com
Or mail to: Fountain Theatre, Attn: “Cyrano”, 5060 Fountain Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90029
Award-winning Writer/Director Stephen Sachs is the Co-Artistic Director of the Fountain Theatre in Los Angeles. He is writer/director of the recent smash hit (now London/Broadway bound) BAKERSFIELD MIST and the ASL play SWEET NOTHING IN MY EAR, made into a CBS TV movie starring Marlee Matlin and Jeff Daniels.
Deaf West Theatre is the foremost deaf theater company in the United States, winning numerous awards in its twenty-year history including a special Tony Award for its acclaimed and groundbreaking ASL/Hearing version of the musical BIG RIVER on Broadway.
