`Lesser God' explores deafness.

Byline: Theater review by Tiphini Tomchak For The Register-Guard

HAS THERE EVER been something you just didn't understand? It could have been anything from the quadratic formula to British comedy to French verbs to why anyone would ever eat meat loaf.

What if you couldn't hear? Can a hearing person really understand what it's like to live in silence? Conversely, can a person living in silence understand the beauty of music or children laughing?

North Eugene High School's production of "Children of a Lesser God" asks and attempts to answer these last two questions.

The Broadway play made its debut in 1980 and was made into a movie starring William Hurt and Marlee Matlin in 1986. It is the story of a woman deaf since birth and her speech therapist at a school for the deaf where the woman has lived since she was 5.

Sarah Norman, played by Andrea Kelly, is frustrated with the hearing world's conviction that deafness is a handicap, even a deformity. Her teacher, James Leeds, played by Stephen Fargher, tries to get through her anger and pride to persuade her to learn to read lips and speak.

The two fall in love but are constantly encountering difficulties in their relationship. Sarah's problems come from a childhood of being told she was not good enough the way she was, and yearning just to be herself.

James longs to help her, but doesn't know how, or really what it is she needs help with. Sarah has only one spoken line in the whole play, but with her actions, expressions and James interpreting her signing, she says a lot.

This production is technically unusual. It takes place inside James' memory, so scenes melt into one another and things happen simultaneously. James is in every scene, making this a physically and emotionally demanding role. Fargher shows deep understanding of his character and takes every punch to the gut.

Every character uses sign language at least once, and the cast spent the summer learning it. At times, it is not interpreted for the audience, which really takes the show to another level. There are almost no props. The actors pantomime everything.

To bring us closer and intensify the feeling that we are in someone's head, all seating is on the stage with the actors. This means seating is limited, so get tickets early.

Tiphini Tomchak attends Willamette High School. This review is part of the Cappies program, in which local students review theatrical productions at schools other than their own.

CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD

WHEN: 7:30 Friday and Saturday and Dec. 6 and 7

WHERE: North Eugene High

HOW MUCH: $5