BWW Reviews: CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD Interprets a World Often Misunderstood

There are hesitations, afterall how can any play be thought-provoking and engaging when it is performed almost entirely in sign-language? What can only be described as brilliant direction and a completely dedicated group of actors, this dramatic love story hits on more than just the relationship between a guy and a girl. CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD is deeply moving and thought provoking.

Every member of the cast learned American Sign Language, some studying for an entire year. To the untrained eye, these actors never miss a sign, or a beat emotionally. It is admirable that these talented actors dedicated themselves to fully learning the language, then adding the emotions necessary to perform.

Sarah Norman, played by Eliza Stevens, is a deaf mute living a school for the deaf working as a janitor. She meets and falls in love with Speech Therapist, James Leeds, played by Will Hagaman. Professor Leeds is a self-righteous, charming, and funny teacher who strives to change lives by teaching the deaf to speak.

He desperately wants Sarah to speak, so that she can live a closer to "normal" life and takes her on as his personal challenge. While trying to break through to her, the pair relationship and they fall in love. They marry, but like all marriages they have their challenges. Leeds ends up being Sarah's full-time translator and struggles with the differences between their worlds. (This probably could have been avoided if they co-habitated prior to marriage.) Sarah struggles with living in a closed world and wishing to fit into a hearing man's life, while still fighting her inner demons.

Then there is the social conflict, as rebel rouser Orin Dennis, played by Mike Deaven, convinces Sarah that she should be dissatisfied with her life living with a hearing person. By doing so she giving in to societal pressures and conforming.

Now more than ever, plays like CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD should provoke thought on issues facing today's society. This play touches on social issues regarding handicapped people. Who has the right to influence another person's way of living? Does a handicap means that a person is less superior? When people are different or choose to live a different way, does that make them inferior? There are no easy answers, but asking the question is just as important.

Will Hagaman deserves the most praise for his performance in CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD. Not only does he serve as the audience's translator, but he acts and signs fluidly. His character is most importantly relatable. It is hard to describe how a play in sign language does not lose it's audience in the complex ballet of intricate hand movements, but Hagaman's narration and naturalness makes it easy to understand. There is no doubt that total commitment was required to establish such a passionate performance. He is not just a player in a complex social plot, but serves as the audience's ambassador.

Eliza Stevens plays the nearly silent role of Sarah, but she gives her performance as if she were speaking every line. Her acting comes from her emotions, her facial expressions, and the intensity of her signs. The audience understands her without ever hearing her speak.

Do not be scared off by the aforementioned drama or the sign language. This play is at many times laugh out loud funny. The scenery and lighting is simple, which is a necessity when complementing agile hand movements.

Produced by Beth Marshall Presents, Directed by Brenna Nicely and Beth Marshall CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD also features Adrian LePeltier as Mr. Franklin, Ava Tunstall as Mrs. Norman, Madison Graham as Lydia, and Jamie Middleton as Edna Klein. American Sign Language under the direction of Joe Kramlinger.

CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD runs until March 30th at the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden, FL. For tickets and more information, visit www.gardentheatre.org.

Photo Credit: The Garden Theatre

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