Connecticut Deaf Theatre Presents Little Shop of Horrors in ASL

This article highlights a collaborative, ASL-infused staging of Little Shop of Horrors by Connecticut Deaf Theatre and the Little Theatre of Manchester at Cheney Hall. The show runs May 1–3.

This production stands out for its dual-casting approach, integrating American Sign Language right into the performance. Spoken dialogue and signing blend together on stage, which is honestly pretty cool to watch.

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The piece fits into Connecticut’s evolving deaf-theatre scene. Community engagement in Manchester connects to broader audiences from Hartford to New Haven and beyond.

Dual-cast approach brings authentic ASL storytelling to Cheney Hall

Instead of using just one offstage interpreter, this staging assigns dual roles for the lead characters. One actor speaks and sings, while another signs—sometimes, one performer even does both.

This approach deepens the emotional perspective for signing characters. At the same time, it reflects the social pressures of the 1950s–60s setting.

The creative team believes this method lets deaf and hearing audiences experience scenes together, side by side. It fosters a more inclusive theatre experience in places like Manchester, Hartford, and New Haven.

The cast features more than a dozen actors, leaning into colorful archetypes—a sadistic dentist, a tyrannical florist, and a girl-group chorus channeling a classic Greek chorus vibe. The show follows last year’s ASL-infused Rocky Horror Show at Cheney Hall and brings back about half of that cast.

Returning actors mentor newcomers in the dual-role technique. Connecticut audiences in Stamford, Waterbury, and Norwalk might notice the creative continuity from previous productions in the state’s deaf-theatre lineage.

Meet the cast and the creative team

KC Beauregard and Phoenix Cook co-direct the show. Beauregard also serves as musical director, while Cook takes on the role of director of artistic sign language.

Cook stars as the signing Seymour, and Ian Lynch Passarelli provides Seymour’s voice. Audrey gets the dual treatment too, with Lorelai Arey (ASL) signing and Emily Gant handling the vocals.

Katie Locascio Urchin takes on Audrey II, both signing and singing—she did the same in Rocky Horror last year. The creative intent behind the dual-cast setup is to give signing roles a strong internal emotional perspective. Meanwhile, the speaking roles highlight the external pressures of mid-century society.

The show’s rhythm and casting really speak to a broader Connecticut outreach. Local actors come from Danbury, Norwich, and Middletown, adding something special for audiences in Greenwich and Bridgeport.

KC Beauregard — co-director and musical director
Phoenix Cook — co-director and director of artistic sign language
Ian Lynch Passarelli — Seymour’s voice
Lorelai Arey — Audrey (ASL)
Emily Gant — Audrey (voice)
Katie Locascio Urchin — Audrey II (signing and singing)

A sadistic dentist, a tyrannical florist, and a Greek-chorus-like girl-group round out the cast. There are opportunities here for emerging performers from New London to Norwalk to take on collaborative, educational roles in a live theatre setting that really tries to prioritize sensory accessibility.

A Connecticut theatrical lineage: from disability-forward stages to today

Connecticut Deaf Theatre roots its work in a national legacy dating back to the National Theatre of the Deaf’s mid-1960s innovations. By continuing that legacy, the Manchester collaboration helps keep the state’s deaf-centric theatre alive and thriving.

Manchester serves as a cultural hub, and communities like Old Saybrook and Wethersfield benefit from more inclusive programming. Little Theatre of Manchester’s logistical support makes it possible for these productions to travel from Hartford to Stamford, and from New Haven to Danbury.

Audiences from Bridgeport, New Britain, and Groton are encouraged to check out how ASL-infused performance can shed new light on classic musical theatre. The collaborative, educational atmosphere among cast, crew, and community volunteers really shows Connecticut’s commitment to inclusivity and artistic excellence, from Norwalk to Waterbury.

Ticket information and where to learn more

Tickets for the May 1–3 performances cost $24 for general admission. You can check cheneyhall.org for the latest show times and accessibility info.

This production brings together deaf culture, regional talent, and a beloved American musical. Folks from all over Connecticut—Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, Waterbury, Norwalk, Danbury, Greenwich, and Middletown—are likely to show up for a new spin on a classic.

It’s another piece of Connecticut’s growing story of inclusive theatre and local storytelling, especially in places like Manchester and nearby towns.

Here is the source article for this story: Connecticut Deaf Theatre back with ‘Little Shop of Horrors.’ Signing is incorporated into the show

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