Cast: 4m., 5w., including 1m. deaf actor required and 1m. deaf actor strongly suggested with doubling, or up to 21+ (5m., 6w. including 1m. deaf actor required, 1m. deaf actor strongly suggested, 10+ either gender) with roles distributed. This bilingual play in American Sign Language or spoken English takes place in the mind and memory of the adult Tuc. He journeys through his childhood from the fever dream that took his hearing, to the language of nature which he shares with his beloved father, to the deaf school where his mind explodes with the discovery of sign language. Along the way, Tuc meets the mysterious Nell Hicks, who heals with herbs and singing spells. He also meets Roscoe, who gives Tuc his name-sign and cultural identity. He finds Maizie, a wild child of deaf parents, teenaged and pregnant with a head full of movie palace dreams. After the death of his father, Tuc must navigate the perilous path of loss, love and language as he struggles to weave a family out of wishes. He explores the moral ambiguities of our times and the cultural complexities of deafness with humor and compassion. The Taste of Sunrise is a moving prequel to Suzan Zeder's acclaimed Mother Hicks. Multiple set locations. Rural Midwest costumes of 1920s or 1930s. Approximate running time: 90 minutes.

Also See:

Mother Hicks by Suzan L. Zeder (Part II of Tuc's story)

The Edge of Peace by Suzan L. Zeder (Part III of Tuc's story)