Deanne!!!! I saw the show last night. Omg!!! It was the BEST show I
ever saw at DWT. You were awesome!!! So were Amber, Maman and
Isabelle! I cried often. I continued to cry afterwards!!!! I wanted so
bad to stay after the show to see you and tell you in person but I had
to pick up my girls who were at their own school play Bye Bye Birdie.
I loved your work. Loved the translations and sign choices from that
era. Wow! Your performance was outstanding!!! I felt your every
emotion!!! It was hard to watch too. I can see why it was suggested
that my girls not see this show. Thank you for that warning. I agree
it's a bit much for them!! Wow. I'm still reeling!! I also LOVED (and
have always been a fan of since I set my foot on stage) the voices OFF
stage!! Concentration was sooo much better!!!!! Loved it! I'm so proud of
you!!! It shows how much work you put into your character, as well as
the cast!! It was phenomenol!! Oxoxoxoxo.

--Lisa Chahayed
ASL instructor

“Wendy Kesselman’s adaptation of her own play achieved something rare
in theater: it preserved what was emotional and provocative in the
original, but changed it in a way to add a fresh dimension. The
incorporation of deaf actors in her adaptation was seamless. Deanne
Bray and Amber Zion were so deftly written into the narrative, it was
as if the play had always been written for them. The tension between
the women of the house (who are hearing) and their housemaids (who are
deaf) lost none of its potency in this adaptation.”

--Carol Padden
Writer (co-author with husband)
A Basic Course in American Sign Language (TJ Publishers, 1980)
Learning American Sign Language (Allyn & Bacon, 1991, 2nd ed. 2003)
Deaf in America: Voices from a Culture (Harvard University
Press, 1988)
Inside Deaf Culture (Harvard University Press, 2005)
Deaf in America: Voices from A Culture
Padden's PhD dissertation on American Sign Language morphology
and syntax (1988)

"One of my favorite productions of Deaf West Theatre's. Great
chemistry, especially between the two sisters and between the mother
and daughter. I was transfixed by the story and enjoyed the unexpected
ending . The play spoke of the truth, each actor was authentic in
their roles. Great directing! The set design was fabulous. I
appreciate that the ASL translation reflected its era. The entire
ensemble created a terrific masterpiece!"

--John and Lauren Maucere
Actor/teacher
(Deafywood.com)

"I was deeply impressed by the two Deaf actresses, Deanne Bray and
Amber Zion. I was fascinated by the idea of using "captions" on the
wall for the hearing actresses' lines.

It was interesting to see how the story was adapted from poor vs rich,
quiet vs blabbermouth, privileged vs underpriviliged to Hearing vs
Deaf.

Deanne and Amber ROCK!!!!"

--Ella Mae Lentz
(Deaf Poet, ASL instructor in Berkeley, CA, and one of the pioneers in
scientific ASL research.)