(AGENPARL) – Wed 09 April 2025 Logo
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 9, 2025
DEAF WEST THEATRE
Announces the World Premiere of
ELEPHANT SHOES
A New Musical
A poster for a musical
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Book by Ivan Menchell
Music & Lyrics by Caroline Kay
Directed & Choreographed by Jeff Calhoun
June 4 – June 28, 2026
Co-Produced with Two River Theater
The Tony Award-winning Deaf West Theatre (DJ Kurs, Artistic Director and Jeff Perri, Managing Director) is proud to announce the world premiere of Elephant Shoes, a new original musical with a book by Ivan Menchell, music and lyrics by Caroline Kay, and directed and choreographed by Tony Award-nominee Jeff Calhoun. Performed in American Sign Language and Spoken English, Elephant Shoes will run at Two River Theater from June 4, 2026 – June 28, 2026 as part of their 2025-2026 season. Elephant Shoes is presented in association with Kevin Ryan and Diane Scott Carter.
Cy is on the verge of revolutionizing communication! His brilliant invention instantly translates spoken English into American Sign Language (ASL), and vice versa. But his breakthrough means nothing if he cannot connect with the one person he longs for — Roxy, a whip-smart coder, and an integral part of turning their tech dream into reality. As they work side by side, Cy finds himself falling in love, only to watch his best friend, Chris, sweep Roxy off her feet. A modern-day ‘Cyrano’ tale, Elephant Shoes asks: Can love transcend language or will it forever be lost in translation?
With a soaring contemporary score and an immersive blend of spoken English, ASL, and groundbreaking stage technology, this World Premiere co-production between Two River Theater and Deaf West will ignite your senses and change the way you experience musical theatre.
Full creative team and casting information will be announced at a later date.
Artistic director DJ Kurs said, “Elephant Shoes is a moving and resonant story about the complexities—and beauty—of communication between Deaf and hearing people. What excites me most is that this new musical has been conceived by Ivan and Caroline from the very beginning as a piece with Deaf characters. I’m especially grateful to be collaborating once again with Jeff Calhoun, whose work on the Broadway revival of Big River with Deaf West over two decades ago was a milestone. And we’re thrilled to be expanding Deaf West’s footprint nationally through this meaningful partnership with Two River Theater in New Jersey.”
Director Jeff Calhoun said, “I feel so fortunate to be working with Deaf West again on an original American musical! Elephant Shoes is a project very close to my heart. I can’t wait to get in a rehearsal room to collaborate with extraordinary talent and bring this inspiring story to the stage.”
Committed to innovation, collaboration, training and social change, Deaf West Theatre serves as the artistic bridge between the Deaf and hearing worlds.
Founded in Los Angeles in 1991, Deaf West Theatre is dedicated to advancing accessibility, equity, and representation for the Deaf community through groundbreaking arts projects. By engaging both Deaf and hearing creatives and audiences, we amplify Deaf perspectives and expand the definition of cultural life. As a vital force in the arts landscape, we elevate Deaf artists and stories, ensuring visibility and impact in entertainment while fostering a more inclusive and dynamic artistic world.
Deaf West Theatre presents a dynamic blend of adaptations and original works in both voice and American Sign Language. Our productions feature Deaf and hearing actors, directors, designers, and technicians, ensuring a rich and inclusive artistic environment. The visual elements of our shows, from sets and lighting to costume designs, uphold the highest standards of excellence, reflecting the unique visual aesthetic of our theater.
David J. Kurs (Artistic Director) became the Artistic Director of Deaf West Theatre in 2012. He has produced award-winning plays and musicals, including Spring Awakening, which he shepherded from its beginnings as an intimate 99-seat theater production in Los Angeles before it went on to Broadway, earning multiple Tony Award® nominations and the world tour of Fidelio, in conjunction with Gustavo Dudamel. Kurs sees his role at Deaf West as integral to his continued advocacy and activism within the Deaf community.
Jeff Perri (Managing Director) currently serves as the Managing Director at Deaf West since 2022. With a knack for high-level management and marketing, Jeff brings experience from the entertainment industry, specializing in Public Relations, Brand Development, Strategy, and Producing. Prior to joining Deaf West, Jeff refined his expertise within the advertising sector, specializing in entertainment and non-profit initiatives. His portfolio includes contributions to a diverse range of clients ranging from well-known corporations to Tony Award®-winning plays and musicals. As a Child of Deaf Adult/s (CODA), Jeff brings a unique perspective to foster connections between Deaf and hearing communities in entertainment. Rooted in a commitment to meaningful change in the arts, Jeff earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre from PACE University.
Two River Theater produces American and world classics, new plays and musicals, programs for young people, and festivals of new work. Each year, we serve over 20,000 students, families and community members through our 4-6 show season, and 85+ events that reflect our diverse community of Monmouth County. Two River produces work on two stages—the 350-seat Joan and Robert Rechnitz Theater, and the flexible 110-seat Marion Huber Theater. In 2020 we expanded our campus to 80,000 square feet with the opening of the Center for New Work, Education and Design. Two River Theater has commissioned and premiered original projects including Be More Chill by Tony Award nominee Joe Iconis and Joe Tracz (the theater’s first Broadway production) and Hurricane Diane by former Playwright-in-Residence Madeleine George (which won an Obie Award for its Off-Broadway run), and  in June 2019, Two River was nationally recognized by USA TODAY as one of “10 great places to see a play.” Two River Theater is led by Artistic Director Justin Waldman and Managing Director Nora DeVeau-Rosen.
Kevin Ryan (Producer) is a three-time Tony, Drama Desk and Olivier award-winning producer. Broadway: Gypsy, The Outsiders, Merrily We Roll Along, Parade, Good Night, and Good Luck, Into the Woods, The Piano Lesson, Ohio State Murders. London: Dear England, Standing at the Sky’s Edge. Off-Broadway: Here We Are and Gavin Creel’s Walk on Through. Ryan co-founded one of Broadway’s largest charity events, the Sleep Out, to help end youth homelessness. 
Diane Scott Carter (Producer) is a Tony, Drama Desk and Olivier award-winning producer of color. Select Broadway: Gypsy, Parade, The Piano Lesson, Suffs, Once Upon a Mattress. West End: Dear England; People, Places & Things. Off-Broadway: Islander. Diane advocates for diversity in theatre at all levels.
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Boneau/Bryan-Brown, PO Box 684, New York, NY 10108-0684 United States