Signs of faith
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The silent applause couldn't have been more thunderous in the hearts of the cast of the Church-produced musical "Savior of the World" following their matinee performance Saturday, Dec. 3, in the Conference Center Theater.
The near-capacity audience for that show was made up largely of deaf and blind patrons who experienced it in a special way. The finale was emotionally impacting as the 100 members of the cast accompanied their own singing of the hymns "Come, Lord Jesus" and "Jesus Once of Humble Birth" with American Sign Language.
As the curtain dropped, hundreds of hands waved vigorously in the air, a stirring standing ovation in the style of those who don't hear the sound of clapping hands.
David Bayles, who played the role of Joseph, Mary's husband, described the experience as "beautiful." A member of the Geneva Heights 6th Ward, Orem Utah Geneva Heights Stake, he said, "You could tell the audience was right there with us and felt the message of the show. . . . The Spirit was very strong. The gospel was preached in their language."
The two-act message — the Annunciation and other events prior to the Savior's birth, and events following His death and resurrection — was presented in special ways for the special audience. The dialogue and singing were signed by a cast of four interpreters dressed in black standing on a lowered platform in front of the stage's apron where they were easily seen without being too obtrusive to the performance on the stage. At the same time, there were two large video monitors at the front of the theater where the script was closed-captioned
The comment was made that for many people who are deaf, ASL is their first language, so signing is easier for them to understand than closed-captioning.
A narrative description of the action on the stage was available through wireless headsets for the sight impaired. Those both deaf and blind had personal interpreters. And a display was set up in the lobby prior to the show where they could feel the costumes and other stage props. The playbill was available in Braille.
Though individuals and small groups of people with disabilities have seen "Savior of the World" over its 10 seasons, this is the first time a show was specially prepared for the deaf and blind, their friends and family members, said Stephen Breinholt, supervisor of administrative services for the Priesthood Department's Music and Cultural Arts Division.
"Many people contributed to the success of the project," said Brother Breinholt. "Doug Hind's team from the Church's Special Curriculum Division, the stage interpreters led by Wing Butler, the volunteers who created the narrative description and Braille programs, and the group of ushers and signers, among others. Things came together so well, it was obvious to all of us that the Lord started planning this long before we did."
Following the performance, mingling with cast members in the theater's lobby, some of the audience shared their feelings through interpreters.
Stephen Ehrlich of the Salt Lake Valley 2nd (Deaf) Ward, Bennion Utah Stake, experienced the entire play through a personal interpreter since he is blind and deaf. Yet he said that he "felt the Spirit very strongly. I've read the scriptures many times so I knew what the play was about."
Rodney W. Walker of the Salt Lake Valley 1st (Deaf) Ward, Salt Lake Park Stake, a deaf sealer in the Salt Lake Temple, had seen the musical before, but said it was difficult for him even with a personal interpreter.
"Today was much easier because of the closed-captioning," he said. "I knew what was going on."
Daniel Edwards of the Utah Valley (Deaf) Ward, Provo Utah South Stake, was pleased to see the actors signing the finale. "I was touched by people who wanted to touch our lives," he said.
Dorene Turner of the Lehi 8th Ward, Lehi Utah North Stake, one of the stage interpreters, said, "The ending meant so much when the entire cast sang in sign language — in sync," indicating that it is difficult for a group that large to do so.
When actor Jim Hoffman, who studied ASL in high school and used it some on his mission in New York City, suggested the cast do some sign language in the show, the rest of the cast agreed and spent time learning prior to each performance for two weeks leading up to the special matinee.
During the finale, Brother Hoffman said he had to sign the hymns because he was too emotional to sing. His wife, Angela, who also played a role on the stage, learned to sign backwards so she could stand in the orchestra pit facing the cast members and prompt them.
David Warner, director of the Music and Cultural Arts Division, commented, "The performance on Saturday afternoon was inspiring. The audience's faith in the Savior, and their experience relying upon Him throughout their lives, gave everyone a special reason to remember that He truly is the hope of all mankind, to give thanks for His birth and resurrection, and to prepare for the day when He will come again."
As they lingered, visiting in the lobby after the play, it was obvious the actors and the audience had edified each other.
E-mail to: ghill@desnews.com
