Winnie the Pooh Uses Sign Language at Fox Theatre

This Saturday, the Fox Theatre will transform into the Hundred Acre Wood, where Winnie the Pooh and friends can all “speak” another language: sign language.

This unique production will allow deaf children to enjoy a musical production and expose hearing children to a new learning opportunity, according to co-owner Lori Lochtefeld.

Since Lori and Eric Lochtefeld took over the Fox Theatre in September, Lori said they have wanted to incorporate more family programming into their lineups. Shows like “Winnie the Pooh” cater to a very diverse, non-traditional audience.

“We wanted to bring to the forefront that these shows exist,” Lori Lochtefeld said. “We try to incorporate different programming for people of all races, nationalities and people with different disabilities.”

As new owners, Lori said, they saw a need for more family programming in Redwood City.

“This is a chance to expose kids to theater early on,” she said. A ticket drive will also provide tickets to a school in Redwood City whose students do not regularly get to go to the theater.

The show also promotes an anti-bullying message as the cast of lovable characters tries to find Eeyore’s tail. The production teaches children to accept those who are different from them, according to Lochtefeld.

“With all the stories we hear of extreme bullying going on in schools, this production times perfectly with its message,” Lochtefeld said.

Not only will deaf children be able to watch a theatre production, but hearing children will also have exposure to a new experience. The show gives parents the opportunity to explain deafness to their children.

“You’ll see things you’ve never heard,” said Franny Civitano of Windwood Productions’ motto. “This performance is a great conversation starter with kids.” Civitano, the only hearing actor, plays Piglet and Kanga and voices the characters of Owl and Rabbit. Every other character signs their dialogue.

“This experience is great for deaf kids because they don’t have to watch one person dressed in black on the side signing for all the characters,” she said.

As an actor, Civitano said it was a challenge to give each character a unique voice, but also direct the audience’s attention to the actor who is “speaking” through sign language, and not herself. She said most hearing audiences want to look at the person who is speaking.

Civitano said her favorite part was being able to connect with the kids in the Q&A session afterward and explain to them what deafness is.

“We just hope that people of all ages from the deaf community can attend the performance,” Civitano said.