FAMILY : ‘Sign Me a Story’: A Smooth Performance

How do you say “rain” in American Sign Language? How do you say “I love you”? How can three adult theater pros make a show for kids so entertaining that an hour flies by before you know it?

The answers can be found in “Sign Me a Story,” a thoroughly engaging mix of improvisation and story theater--including a wacky version of “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs,” Jon Scieszka’s book from the wolf’s point of view--at Deaf West Children’s Theatre.

Created by veteran stage and television actress Linda Bove, a “Sesame Street” regular for 20 years, “Sign Me a Story” also gives children some sign language basics and satisfies understandable curiosity about life as a person unable to hear: How do you know when the phone and doorbell are ringing, what do you do for an alarm clock?

Sign language, a remarkably eloquent method of communication using the body and face, is a natural for the theater, but to be accessible to a hearing audience, timing is vital or a silence can be felt as unintentional hesitation. There are no hesitations here.

Directed by Freda Norman and performed with skill and ebullience by Bove, Ed Waterstreet (Bove’s husband and the theater’s artistic director) and Koli Cutler, a versatile speaking actor, the show’s consistent rhythm and humor create an inclusive experience. Indeed, comfortable audience participation is key here.

At a recent performance, hilarity reigned when the audience was asked to help guide both action and dialogue as Bove and Waterstreet acted out a first date. The couple ended up, rather eccentrically clad, going bowling, with a motorcycle as their mode of transportation.

Props and costume pieces (by Susan Doepner) come out of trunks on the small stage and the colorful, miniature hills and flowers by set designer Yael Pardess are a storybook touch, as are designer Ken Booth’s soft, multicolor lights.

* “Sign Me a Story,” Deaf West Children’s Theatre, 660 N. Heliotrope Drive, Hollywood, Friday, 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 3 p.m. through May 29; $5-$7.50. (213) 660-4673, TTY (213) 660-8826.