Photo Flash: Deaf West Theatre Presents MY SISTER IN THIS HOUSE

Based on the true story of the Papin sisters, who suffered an abusive childhood followed by a dark and foreboding workplace in 1930s France, My Sister In This House is a haunting play exploring class struggle, identity, and what happens when the need for connection and companionship is abused and ignored. This bizarre tale inspired many writers of the era, including Jean Genet and Jean Paul Sartre.

The themes of this play are highlighted by the unique theatrical experience for which Deaf West Theatre is known. In this production, deaf and hearing actors will perform in a multi-lingual setting of American Sign Language, spoken English, and open captioning. The divide between the deaf and thehearing worlds provides added thematic weight to the world in which the Papin sisters live.

The cast will feature (in alphabetical order) Deanne Bray, Matthew Jaeger, Casey Kramer, Jennifer Losi, Darrin Revitz, Melissa Strom and Amber Zion. The scenic design is by Tom Buderwitz, lighting design is by Leigh Allen, costume design is by A. Jeffrey Schoenberg, sound design is by John Zalewski, projection design is by Adam Flemming, hair and wig design is by Carol Doran, and properties are by Jennifer Prince. The fight coordinator is Megan Nguyen, casting is by MichaelDonovan Casting, and the production stage manager is Leia Crawford. David Kurs is associate producer and ASL Master, and My Sister In This House is produced by Laura Hill.

Opening night is set for Saturday, April 17 at 8:00. The regular performance schedule is Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm through Sunday, May 30.

Tickets are on sale now, and prices are $15 for previews, $25 for regular performances, and $50 for opening night. To purchase tickets, visit www.deafwest.org, or call (818) 762-2773. For group salesor other production information, call (818) 762-2773 [Voice], (866) 954-2986 [Video Phone], or email boxoffice@deafwest.org. Three special 10am performances (Tuesdays; April 20, May 18 and May 25) will be offered forlocal deaf and hard of hearing high school students as part of Deaf West Theatre's Dramatic Gestures educational outreach programming. This production of My Sister In This House is sponsored in part by the James Irvine Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Thelma Pearl Howard Foundation, and a U.S. Department of Education congressionally-direcTed Grant.Deaf West Theatre is located at 5112 Lankershim Boulevard in North Hollywood.