In a celebration of inclusion, community, and creativity, Plays of Wilton (POW!), in partnership with the City of Wilton Manors, will present an outdoor performance of The Sound of Music tailored specifically for the deaf and hearing-impaired.
This event, set for June 7 at Richardson Park, combines Broadway-caliber performances, live American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation, and an immersive audience experience — free of charge.
Thanks to the support of the Warten Foundation and Pro Bono ASL, this performance reimagines accessibility in theater. Professional ASL interpreters, who have trained extensively alongside the cast, will bring every lyric, line, and emotional beat to life in real time. Sound will also be amplified throughout the park to better serve guests with partial hearing loss.
The idea originated during auditions when a deaf actor impressed producers with his performance. While integrating him into the full-scale musical proved complex, it raised an important question: how often do deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences even have the opportunity to experience live theater?
“This wasn’t just about one actor,” says producer Norman Extract. “It made us realize how inaccessible live theater still is for the deaf community. So we decided to flip the model — this performance is designed with them in mind, and it’s completely free.”
Audiences will experience The Sound of Music while seated in 360-degree swivel chairs, a playful theatrical twist that allows them to follow the action across multiple performance areas throughout Richardson Park.
Director Ronnie Larsen, who has already drawn more than 1,100 people to the show’s waiting list, calls this inclusive night a highlight of his career. “Theater should be for everyone. We’re not just opening the gates — we’re spinning the chairs, literally and figuratively.”
The beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein classic tells the enduring story of Maria, a spirited postulant sent to care for the seven children of the stern Captain von Trapp in pre-World War II Austria. Through love, music, and perseverance, the von Trapps face personal and political turmoil, ultimately fleeing the Nazi regime together. It’s a story of resilience, family, and moral courage — timeless themes that resonate deeply in today’s world.
The star-studded cast includes Abbey Alder as Maria and Noah Peacock as Captain von Trapp, alongside a talented ensemble of local performers. Irma Gloria, Michael Small, Camille Schiavone, Desir Dumerjuste, and others bring the heart and humor of this musical to life under the open sky.
The creative team has gone all in: Harry Redlich (Assistant Director/Casting), David Taustine (Music Director), Tim Bowman (Costume Design), and Isabella Shellbeck (Choreography) have helped create a spectacle that matches its message. And with public relations by Steven Some and Daniel DeMello, the buzz around this production is building.
Guests are invited to bring picnic blankets and snacks.
Tickets are free and available at tickettailor.com.
Bobby Blair is an LGBTQ media pioneer and leader known for his philanthropic work on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community. A Florida native, he lives in Fort Lauderdale with his longtime partner, Brian Neal. Blair was inducted into the GLBT Hall of Fame in 2015.
