Billy Hill & the Hillbillies ~ A Different Way to Hear the Show

Billy Hill & the Hillbillies ~ A Different Way to Hear the Show

        Saturday we went to Disneyland with our Teenage daughter and a friend. Our daughter had two major requests for things she wanted to do that day. One was a request to see World of Color and the other was for us all to go see Billy Hill & the Hillbillies together. Just think, a teenager not only wanting to see a Country Blue-Grass comedy show but wanting to share it with her friend!

        We enjoy getting the table in the box next to the stage. Saturday that box was reserved, as it is one show a day for a pair of sign language interpreters. As many times as we had seen the show we had never seen the ASL interpreters in the show. We thought it was nice they had ASL interpreters there but felt it was a strange choice to put them there. My husband is hard of hearing but not deaf. Our daughter is ADHD and we found ASL was a great way to capture and maintain attention during communication with her. So we know some ASL but are not fluent or fast.

        At first we were greatly disappointed not to be able to have our favorite seat for the show. Knowing some ASL (self taught) we divided our attention between the performers on stage and the interpreters in the box. As the show progressed we found ourselves watching the interpreters more and the performers less. When I did watch the performers it was to see how they were playing with the interpreters. The Billies did a song I'd not hear them do before, The Auctioneer. It seemed that the lead Billy was speeding up and slowing down the song in a playful attempt to throw the interpreter off.

        During the Orange Blossom Special the ASL interpreters did something similar to what we do when we get the chance to sit in that booth. When the Billies turned toward their side of the stage they followed along and made it look as if the train turned into the audience.

        As always the Billie show was fantastic! I felt the enjoyment was heightened by having the ASL interpreters there. They were playful and creative. They obviously enjoyed what they were doing and the Billies enjoyed having them there. They playful union of the sound of music and the art of silent communication blended seamlessly to create a joyful experience.