By Kenneth Jones
18 Aug 2003

The unique Broadway revival of Big River that is inviting audiences to look at theatre in a whole new way, will extend an extra week at the American Airlines Theatre.

Performances of the co-production between Roundabout Theatre Company and Deaf West Theatre now continue to Sept. 21. The entire production is told with spoken word and American Sign Language, with all performers signing — and some of them singing — the adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

The staging of the William Hauptman-Roger Miller show is directed and choreographed by Jeff Calhoun, adapted from the novel by Mark Twain. It opened July 24.

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Big River "includes deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing actors performing each role in a synchronized ballet of speaking and signing. Spoken English and American Sign Language (ASL) are interwoven with music, dance and storytelling techniques from both hearing and deaf cultures into a 'third language' creating a unique theatrical event."

For information, call (212) 719-1300 or visit American Airlines Theatre at 227 West 42nd Street. Visit www.roundabouttheatre.org.