Deaf West Theatre Will Host Industry Preview Event for ELEPHANT SHOES, A New Musical

Press release

Deaf West Theatre,
Kevin Ryan, and Diane Scott Carter

Will Host Industry Preview Event for



ELEPHANT SHOES
A New Musical

Book by Ivan Menchell
Music & Lyrics by Caroline Kay
Directed & Choreographed by Jeff Calhoun

Monday, October 20
at the Museum of Broadway in NYC

featuring performances from
Daniel Durant, Aisha Jackson,
James Olivas, and Siena Rafter

----

Co-production with Award-Winning Two River Theater
Opens June 2026 in Red Bank, NJ

The Tony Award-winning Deaf West Theatre (DJ Kurs, Artistic Director and Jeff Perri, Managing Director), with Kevin Ryan, and Diane Scott Carter, are pleased to host an industry preview event at NYC’s Museum of Broadway on Monday, October 20, for 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.

This invitation-only event will include performances from Daniel Durant (Deaf West’s American Idiot, “Dancing with the Stars”), Aisha Jackson (The Great Gatsby, The Notebook), James Olivas (Deaf West’s American Idiot, the West End revival of Evita), and Siena Rafter (Twelfth Night, Runaways) as well as appearances by the show’s creative team.

Performed in American Sign Language and spoken English, Elephant Shoes will have its world premiere as a co-production between Two River Theater and Deaf West from June 4, 2026 – June 28, 2026 as part of Two River Theater’s 32nd 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 for the world premiere production will be announced at a later date.

PERFORMER BIOGRAPHIES

DANIEL DURANT. 2024 was a busy year for Daniel. He starred in “GREEN DAY’S AMERICAN IDIOT,” a rock musical in collaboration with the Center Theatre Group and Deaf West in Los Angeles. He’s also starred in the indie feature SILENT NOTES, which premiered at last year’s Austin Film Festival. In addition, he was Fidelio in LA Philharmonic and LA Opera’s eponymously named production led by Gustavo Dudamel, and he appeared at the Super Bowl LVIII performing the National Anthem in ASL alongside the “Queen of Country”, Reba McEntire. Daniel Durant is best known for his starring role as Leo Rossi in Coda, a film that garnered three Oscar Awards, including the top prize of Best Picture. Durant received numerous accolades for his role, including a Screen Actor’s Guild Award, Sundance Award, AFI Award and HCA Spotlight Award. That Fall, Durant was also a semifinalist on the Disney+ series “Dancing with the Stars” where he competed alongside professional dancer, and now fiancé, Britt Stewart. Past work includes the co-lead role of Moritz in the critically acclaimed Deaf West production of Spring Awakening, which first opened in LA at the Rosenthal Theater. It then moved to the Wallis Annenberg in 2015 before moving to NYC where Daniel made his Broadway debut as Mortiz at the Brooks Atkinson Theater. The show opened to rave reviews and ran until January 2016. Durant has starred in ABC’s “Switched at Birth” and continued in the role of Matthew through the finale of the series in 2017. Additionally, he’s been seen in the recurring role of James in the Netflix series, “You” as well as roles on “Chicago Med,” and “Florida Man.” Durant has received numerous awards and recognition, including the Theatre Award (Outstanding 2016 Broadway Debut Performance), Broadway.com’ Top 10 Show-Stopping Performances of the 2015-2016 Broadway Season, Huffington Post’s Top 10 Best Theatrical Performances of 2015, Theatremania.com’ 12 Best Broadway Debuts of 2015 and a 2014 Robby Award nomination for Excellence in Theatre. In 2022, the city of Duluth, Minnesota proclaimed April 4, 2022, as “Daniel Durant Day”. That same year, the Center for Hearing and Communication honored Durant with the Eleanor Roosevelt Award for his leadership in fostering change in the entertainment business. In 2014 he was also a Deaf Awareness Month Honoree for the City of Los Angeles, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the arts and Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities of Los Angeles. Ongoing work also includes co-leading acting workshops for Deaf students and interpreting in schools, serving as an acting teacher and coach for Deaf film camps as well as national speaking engagements for colleges and universities.

AISHA JACKSON, a Georgia native, has traveled the world using her God-given gifts to spread love and light. She is currently starring as Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby on Broadway and last Spring, she starred opposite Anika Noni Rose in Wonderful Town at New York City Center. Additional Broadway credits include: The Notebook, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, and the Original Broadway Casts of Waitress, Paradise Square, Once Upon A One More Time, and Frozen, where she made history as the first Black woman to play Anna on Broadway. She’s taken the joy of Anna and a few other Disney princesses to Thailand, the Philippines, Qatar, Kuwait, China, and Singapore with Disney Princess: The Concert. Voiceover: Central Park (Apple TV) and Melon's House Party(Wondery Kids). Soundtrack Vocalist for the films KPop Demon Hunters, Snow White, Spirited, Dear Evan Hansen, and Tick Tick Boom. TV: "Harlem" (Amazon Prime), "Up Here" (Hulu).

JAMES OLIVAS. Proud Chicano actor. Select theatre credits: Evita (The Jamie Lloyd Co., West End), American Idiot (Deaf West, Mark Taper Forum), Destiny of Desire (The Old Globe), Kinky Boots (Hollywood Bowl), Secret Garden (Ahmanson), Boop! (NYC WKSP). TV/Film: “American Horror Stories”, “Encore!”, “Bad Kids of Crestview Academy” (VO). @jamesdolivas

ABOUT DEAF WEST THEATRE

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.

Recent and past productions include a new production of Green Day’s American Idiot, in a co-production with Center Theatre Group; the groundbreaking production of Beethoven’s only opera Fidelio with the Los Angeles Philharmonic conducted by Maestro Gustavo Dudamel; a new play adaptation of Oedipus at the Getty Villa Museum directed and adapted by Jenny Koons; The Solid of Life of Sugar Water by Jack Thorne; Our Town, in a co-production with the Pasadena Playhouse; Edward Albee’s ###em, in a co-production with the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts; Spring Awakening the Musical, which transferred from Inner-City Arts to the Wallis and then to Broadway (three Tony Award® nominations including Best Revival of a Musical); American Buffalo (Los Angeles Times “Critic’s Choice”); Cyrano, a co-production with the Fountain Theatre (Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Production); Big River the Musical (Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle and Backstage Garland awards for Best Musical in its L.A. premiere, a Tony Award® nomination, and four Drama Desk Awards on Broadway); Pippin, produced at the Mark Taper Forum in a co-production with Center Theatre Group; Sleeping Beauty Wakes, also a co-production with Center Theatre Group, presented at the Kirk Douglas Theatre; Oliver! (Ovation Award for Best Musical) and A Streetcar Named Desire (Ovation Award for Best Play). In 2005, DWT was selected to receive the Highest Recognition Award by the Secretary of Health and Human Services for its “distinguished contributions to improve and enrich the culture lives of deaf and hard of hearing actors and theater patrons.” To learn more visit ###a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.sp13ZQiLvOB67u..." fg_scanned="1">deafwest.org.

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.


ABOUT TWO RIVER THEATER

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 Tony, Drama Desk and Olivier award-winning producer. Select Broadway: Ragtime, Gypsy, The Outsiders, Merrily We Roll Along, Parade, Once Upon a Mattress, Into the Woods, The Piano Lesson. Select London: Dear England, Standing at the Sky’s Edge. Off-Broadway: Sondheim’s final musical Here We Are at The Shed and Gavin Creel’s Walk on Through at MCC. Ryan co-founded Broadway’s annual charity event, the Stage and Screen Sleep Out, to help facing 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.