‘He inspires me a lot’: ‘My Fair Lady’ features actor who is deaf
- WHSV3
- Oct 26, 2024
- 2 min read
WHSV3
STAUNTON, Va. (WHSV) - Michael Krysiewiscz has landed a featured role as the prince in the ShenanArts production of ‘My Fair Lady;’ he’s also completely deaf.
With his wife, Ciara, interpreting, he was quick to share his excitement about starring in the musical.
“I’m ready for the play,” he said. “I feel good. I just want to get going.”
Michael will perform alongside his wife and his eleven-year-old son, Elijah.
Although he has not been in a production since he was 13 years old, it didn’t stop him from joining his family on stage.
“When I saw on Facebook that they had auditions for ‘My Fair Lady,’ I thought: ‘well, let me let my son know about the play,’” he said. “I wasn’t sure. It might be risky to do a stage play, but I wanted to do it for my son, so he could have that experience, too.”
“It taught me that I can do anything if he can do it, being deaf and being on a stage,” said Elijah. “If I think I can’t do that, that’s crazy, because if he can, then anybody can.”
Elijah hopes to be a screen actor one day. The sixth grader said his father inspired him and taught him everything he knows about acting. The pair mostly enjoy making short films together, but Elijah is proud to share the stage with his dad.
Like her son, Ciara beams when speaking about Michael. Through tears, she spoke highly of her husband and his performance.
“I’m super proud of him; I think it’s so cool how ambitious he is,” she said. “He knows that he could do anything, and I love that about him. He inspires me a lot.”
Being deaf poses some challenges for Michael, especially when learning to dance in the show’s musical numbers.
“I can’t feel the music through the floor, I’m completely deaf,” said Michael. “So if I can do this, then you can, too.”
Despite these challenges, castmates and choreographers said he successfully learned the routines. Laura Saile said she is especially impressed with his dancing abilities.
“It’s not fair, the man can’t hear music, yet his rhythm is impeccable,” she said, laughing. “He remembers all the steps, sometimes, better than we do.”
The family said performing has brought them closer together.
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