Children of a Lesser God Broadway Return Planned for Spring 2018

Mark Medoff’s 1980 play Children of a Lesser God will return to Broadway, according to Tony-winning producer Hal Luftig. The revival would be a transfer of a production set to play Berkshire Theatre Group in Stockbridge, MA this summer, directed by Tony winner Kenny Leon, who in 2014 was announced to direct a Broadway revival of the play.

As previously announced, the BTG production will star Joshua Jackson of TV’s The Affair as James Leeds and former Miss Deaf America Lauren Ridloff in the starring role of Sarah Norman. The MA production, set to run June 22-July 22, will feature Tony winner Stephen Spinella as Mr. Franklin and acclaimed deaf American actor John McGinty as Orin Dennis.

Regarding confirmation of a Broadway transfer, Luftig told Broadway.com, "That is our intention." Luftig confirmed that the stars of the Berkshires production would remain onboard for a Broadway run next season. "The timeline would be to open on Broadway in spring 2018," said Luftig, a lead producer on Kinky Boots.

Children of a Lesser God tells the story of James Leeds, a new teacher at a school for the deaf, and Sarah Norman, the school’s one-time star student who has stayed behind as its cleaning woman rather than venturing out into the hearing world. James immediately takes a keen interest in Sarah, and tries to persuade her to communicate orally by lip reading as they kindle a romance beyond words.

The original Broadway production starred Phyllis Frelich as Sarah Norman and John Rubinstein as James Leeds. Both actors won Tonys for their performances. The screen adaptation received five Academy Award nominations and earned Marlee Matlin the 1987 Oscar for Best Actress for her performance as Sarah Norman.