"Out of the Blue" - An ASL Dance Theatre Production by Brandon Kazen-Maddox and Bailey Anne Vincent

This video is an American Sign Language Dance Theatre performance choreographed, directed, translated by ‪@brandonkazen-maddox7817‬ and performed by both Brandon Kazen-Maddox and ‪@BaileyVincentmakeovermomma‬. The original book, music and lyrics from Andrew Lippa's WILD PARTY, an off-Broadway musical starring ‪@idinamenzel‬ , @Bryan D'Arcy James, @Taye Diggs and @Julia Murney. This ASL Dance Theatre piece was performed at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.

OUT OF THE BLUE
An American Sign Language Dance Theater Performance
Inspired by Andrew Lippa’s WILD PARTY
Book, Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa
Based on the Poem by Joseph Moncure March
Original Choreography and ASL Translation by
Brandon Kazen-Maddox
Director of Artistic Sign Language
Monique Holt
Co-Choregraphed by Bailey Anne Vincent
With Support from Lauren Lovette of New York City Ballet

Dancers
Queenie: Bailey Anne Vincent
Burrs: Brandon Kazen-Maddox

Musical Arrangement by Henco Espag
Piano: Henco Espag
Drums: Ian McLeod
Alto Saxophone: Brian Shaw
Trumpet: Madison Lusby
Trombone: Steven Osborne

Song Lyrics for ‘Out of the Blue’

SOME GIRLS HAVE DIAMONDS TO WEAR
FEELINGS TO SHARE
SOMETHING TO CARE ABOUT
SOME GIRLS HAVE CASH IN THE BANK
CHILDREN TO SPANK
LOVERS WHO CRANK IT OUT
BUT I’M THE GIRL WHO’S CAUGHT
JUST STARING INTO SPACE
I THOUGHT I LIKED THIS MAN
AND LIKED THIS PLACE
BUT I’VE BEEN FEELING LIKE
I NEED A CHANGE OF PACE

OUT OF THE BLUE
OUT OF THE BLUE
I WISH A BOLT OF LIGHTENING WOULD HIT
OUT OF THE BLUE
OUT OF THE BLUE
A MAGIC LAMP THAT’S SUDDENLY LIT

HOW MANY YEARS HAVE PASSED ME BY
WISHING? WAITING?
HOW MANY HOPES HAVE LEFT ME DRY?
JUST DOWNRIGHT IRRITATING!

HOW MANY MEN HAVE I BEEN THROUGH
THAT ROTTEN BOTTOM-FEEDING ZOO
THEY KEEP REPEATING LEADING ME TO:

OUT OF THE BLUE
OUT OF THE BLUE
YOUR CHOICES NOW ARE GROWING FEW!

TODAY IS WHAT YOU MAKE AND HOW YOU MAKE IT
THE STEP IS YOURS TO TAKE BUT CAN YOU TAKE IT?
OUT OF THE BLUE…

I COULD WALK AWAY BUT HE’D HUNT ME DOWN
I COULD SIT AND STAY BUT I’D START TO DROWN

I USED TO BE EXCITED
WE USED TO BE SO WILD
HE WAS MY PERFECT LOVER
I WAS HIS PASSION CHILD
BUT IT’S ALL DIFFERENT
ALL OUR DIFFERENCES UNRECONCILED

I’LL PUSH US TO RENEW IT
BUT TELL ME WHAT WOULD DO IT?

SOMETHING GRAND
SOMETHING HUMILIATING
SOMETHING…PUBLIC

QUEENIE:
BURRSIE?
I THINK WE’RE DUE FOR A PARTY
DON’T YOU?
DON’T YOU?

BURRS:
I DO!
I DO!
I DO! MY GOD, YOU’RE RIGHT!

BOTH:
PARTY, PARTY-PARTY, PARTY

QUEENIE:
LET’S INVITE JACKIE

BURRS: AND MADELINE TRUE

QUEENIE:
OSCAR AND PHIL

BURRS:
YOU KNOW, SAM SHOULD COME TOO!

QUEENIE:
EDDIE AND MAE

BURRS:
MAYBE SOMEBODY NEW!

QUEENIE:
GO AND GET READY!
THERE’S SO MUCH TO DO
BURRSIE, MY BABY
WE’LL DO IT FOR YOU
AND MAKE IT LIKE SOMETHING
THAT’S OUT OF THE BLUE

OUT OF THE BLUE
OUT OF THE BLUE
WE’LL SEE WHO’S BARK IS WORSE THAN THEIR BITE
OUT OF THE BLUE
OUT OF THE BLUE
IT’S TIME TO FLY OR TIME TO FIGHT!

NO MORE TO SETTLE FOR A CHEAP ATTRACTION
LET’S EVEN UP THE SCORE AND LEAP TO ACTION
OUT OF THE BLUE
TONIGHT!

A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR

Body Language Productions, Inc works to provide equal access to dance, music and performance for the international Deaf community and to collaborate. With international Deaf and hearing artists to create works of American Sign Language dance theatre while providing professional opportunities for underrepresented minorities in the Arts.

This project will support the second of five works of the American Sign Language dance theater revival of Andrew Lippa's WILD PARTY. This performance provides an artistic platform for Deaf dancer Bailey Ann Vincent and Deaf Director of ASL, Monique Holt.

This project deals with the subject of domestic abuse and emphasizes the message that 'the step is yours to take, but can you take it?'. I believe this message is especially important for the Deaf community, as domestic violence can occur, but may not always be discussed.

Thank you,

Brandon Kazen-Maddox
Artistic Director and CEO of
Body Language Productions, Inc