Children of a Lesser God (play)
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Children of a Lesser God is a play by Mark Medoff, written in 1980. It focuses on the conflicted professional and romantic relationship between deaf former student, Sarah Norman and her teacher James Leeds. The play was specially written for the Deaf actress Phyllis Frelich based to some extent on her relationship with her husband Robert Steinberg;[citation needed] it was originally developed from workshops and showcased at New Mexico University with Frelich and Steinberg in the lead roles. It was seen by Gordon Davidson Director of the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles who insisted that the male role needed to be played by a more experienced professional actor.[citation needed]
Following a highly-successful run at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles, the Broadway production, directed by Gordon Davidson, opened on March 30, 1980 at the Longacre Theatre, where it ran for 887 performances. The cast included Phyllis Frelich as Sarah and John Rubinstein as James. David Ackroyd later replaced Rubinstein. Linda Bove and Elizabeth Quinn later replaced Frelich.
In 1981, the West End production ran originally at the Mermaid Theatre, then at the Albery Theatre, garnering three Olivier Awards. The production starred Trevor Eve and Elizabeth Quinn a deaf actress who had played the part on Broadway. Deaf actors from the UK were invloved as understudies including Jean St Clair, Sarah Scott and Terry Ruane.
In 1986, Medoff adapted his play for a film of the same name directed by Randa Haines. Marlee Matlin and William Hurt headed the cast.
[edit] Awards and nominations
- Tony Award for Best Play (winner)
- Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play (Rubinstein, winner)
- Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play (Frelich, winner)
- Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play (nominee)
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding New Play (winner)
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play (Rubinstein, winner)
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play (Frelich, nominee)
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director of a Play (nominee)
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lighting Design (nominee)
- Laurence Olivier Awards (1981) for:
- Play of the Year
- Actor of the Year in a New Play - Trevor Eve
- Actress of the Year in A New Play - Elizabeth Quinn
| Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by The Elephant Man |
Drama Desk Award for Outstanding New Play 1978-1979 |
Succeeded by Amadeus |
| Preceded by The Elephant Man |
Tony Award for Best Play 1979 |
Succeeded by Amadeus |
[edit] References
- Botto, Louis. Playbill: At This Theatre (Applause Books, 2002) (ISBN 1-55783-566-7)
[edit] External links
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