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West Side Story Is Performed In Sign Language

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Nov 20, 2008 10:23 pm US/Eastern

West Side Story Is Performed In Sign Language

PLANTATION (CBS4) ― A new version of West Side Story has hit South Florida. The jets and sharks make up the musical West Side Story, but in this production some of the sharks are deaf, and so is the lead actress Maria. 

"I thought wow that is really wonderful," said Giovanna Vazquez to CBS4's Jorge Estevez. In real life, Giovanna is deaf. Estevez sat down with her and an interpreter to do the interview. On stage her character Maria is also deaf,

"The other actors help me out, and I've learned the rhythm and the beat. but it was the musical cues," said Vazquez.

Giovanna signs on stage while another actress does her voice for the audience. It makes the love story between Maria and Tony even more magical.

"When they first meet, Tony doesn't know sign language, and so it's really this moment between them through eye contact and body language that they really connect," said Michelle Terl, the shows Producer.

Justin White, who plays Tony, enjoys the twist.

"As the show went on, I started picking up sign language, and I was able to hold conversations with her and she taught me a lot of sign language," said White.

The director added the twist because there are deaf students at South Plantation High School.

"When you incorporate the use of American sign language into that, it's not just choreography to music it's choreography to words. You are dancing to everything," said Jason Zembuch, the shows director.

"I want deaf people to know that it could be the same for them," said Vazquez, who wants people to come and enjoy the show.

West Side Story is playing this weekend at South Plantation High School. The show times are Friday and Saturday at 7pm, Sunday at 1pm.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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