The Taste of Sunrise
By Susan Zeder
Directed by Kristin Johnson & Wendy Lement
Choreography by Patricia Manalo Bochnak
March 13 – 22, 2015
This bilingual play in American Sign Language or spoken English takes place in the mind and memory of the adult Tuc. He journeys through his childhood from the fever dream that took his hearing, to the language of nature which he shares with his beloved father, to the deaf school where his mind explodes with the discovery of sign language. Along the way, Tuc meets the mysterious Nell Hicks, who heals with herbs and singing spells. He also meets Roscoe, who gives Tuc his name-sign and cultural identity. He finds Maizie, a wild child of deaf parents, teenaged and pregnant with a head full of movie palace dreams. After the death of his father, Tuc must navigate the perilous path of loss, love and language as he struggles to weave a family out of wishes. He explores the moral ambiguities of our times and the cultural complexities of deafness with humor and compassion.
CAST
Tuc – Elbert Joseph
Jonas Tucker – Cliff Odle*
Emma Flynn – Kathleen Patrick*
Nell Hicks – Brittany Rolfs*
Dr. Alexis Graham – Donna Sorbello*
Dr. Grindly Mann – Daniel Bolton*
Clovis P. Eudy/Audiologist/Hunter – Lewis D. Wheeler
Izzy Sue Ricks/Audiologist/Nurse – Jen Alison Lewis*
Roscoe – Matthew J. Schwartz
Maizie – Amanda Collins*
Voice of Tuc – Ethan Hermanson
Alma/Soda Fountain Patron/Voice of Maizie – Sirena Abalian
Soda Fountain Patron/Voice of Roscoe/Hunter – Steven Cosnek
Ensemble – Erisette Cruz, Reignyah Miraculous Grant, Ingrid Jensen O’Dell, Suleyka Suarez, Arthur Wheelock-Wood, E.Sho Ndukwe, Christopher S. Robinson
Understudies – Kippy Goldfarb*, Michael Notardonato
CREATIVE
Directors – Kristin Johnson & Wendy Lement
Choreographer – Patricia Manalo Bochnak
Set Designer – Janie E. Howland
Costume Designer – Lisa Simpson
Lighting Designer – Annie Wiegand
Props Designer – Marjorie Lusignan
Sound Designer – Roger J. Moore
Composer – Peter Stewart
Production Stage Manager – Emily Hart*
*Denotes Member of Actors’ Equity Association
Photos by Kippy Goldfarb & Gary Thomas Ng
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Elbert Joseph delivers a strikingly beautiful and sincere performance as Tuc
An inclusive message from The Taste of Sunrise.
- Social Story (Document Forthcoming)
- Study Guide
- Program Booklet
