From left, Lyceum Theatre Artistic Director Quin Gresham, playing James Leeds, and Talia Dagan as Sarah Norman during a run-through Sunday, Sept. 23, of "Children of a Lesser God." The reciprocal gesture above is something most people will understand, but because half the main characters in the play are deaf the production includes a great deal of sign language. Gresham began taking lessons in signing in January to prepare for the part. (Eric Crump/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

The Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre's theme for 2007 was "Passport to Adventure" and the season's final destination, Mark Medoff's "Children of a Lesser God," promises to provide a dramatic conclusion to the journey.

The play, which runs Sept. 26 - Oct. 7, tells the story of James Leeds, a teacher who works with deaf students and Sarah Norman, a former student of the school where Leeds works. Although Sarah is initially distant, a relationship between the two slowly grows.

Medoff originally wrote the part for deaf actress Phyllis Frelich and the film adaptation garnered an Academy Award for Marlee Matlin, while the play won three Tony Awards in 1980, including the Tony for Best Play.

Continuing in that tradition, Lyceum Artistic Director Quin Gresham, who plays the part of James, cast Talia Dagan as Sarah.

Dagan recently completed a run in role at the Rubicon Theatre in Ventura, Calif. Jerry Vogel makes his return to the Arrow Rock stage as Dr. Franklin.

Vogel has appeared in more than 30 Lyceum productions including "The Immigrant," "Our Town" and "The Wizard of Oz." He is also doing double duty, serving as the production's director as well.

The cast also includes Garrett Zuercher as Orin Dennis, Peggy Billo as Mrs. Norman, Sarah Keating as Lydia and Leslie Lorusso as Edna Klein.

Zuercher, like Dagan, was a cast member in the Rubicon Theatre production of "Children of a Lesser God." His other stage credits include parts in "The Tempest" and "The Fantasticks." He has also appeared on television in "Law and Order: Criminal Intent."

Billo, a newcomer to the Lyceum, has been seen in productions of "Bunbury," "The Pagans" and "Anyone Can Whistle."

Sharp-eyed theater-goers might have seen Keatting in the ensemble of "Sugar," her Lyceum debut, earlier this season.

Lorusso adds this role to her growing list of Lyceum credits. She appeared earlier this season as the Baker's Wife in "Into the Woods," and as June Oglethorpe in "Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming" as well as "Rosemary" in last season's "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying."

The production also features the talents of two veteran Lyceum designers. Randy B. Winder created the scenes and lighting while Garth Dunbar designed the costumes. Winder's work has been seen in this season's productions of "The Sunshine Boys," "Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming" and "Sugar," among others. Dunbar's credits include costume design for "Into the Woods," "Sugar" and "The Sunshine Boys."

Tickets for "Children of a Lesser God" are available through the Lyceum's Web site at www.lyceumtheatre.org or by calling the box office at 660-837-3311.

The box office is still running on its summer schedule, allowing patrons to call between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sundays. On Wednesdays with no performances, the box office closes at 5 p.m.

The Lyceum Theatre began in 1960 in a 50-seat church in the historic village of Arrow Rock.