Sue's News

Modern Day “Miracle”

March 11th, 2010

Scott and I went to see The Miracle Worker this past Tuesday night.

The story of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan has become part of our culture, and I’m sure many felt they knew the story. This production in the round changes that.

Allison Pill, as Anne Sullivan, does an amazing job balancing vulnerability and strength in equal parts. Her determination and force of will are staggering. She’s brash and bold, and the best vehicle for these traits is her delivery of zingers throughout the play… not only providing some comic relief so the audience can collectively catch its breath, but also underscoring just how important it is to keep one’s sense of humor in challenging situations.

Abigail Breslin’s performance is so raw and delicate at the same time. There are many moments where she flings her young body to and fro, an illustration of Helen’s inner frustration at her inability to express herself “normally” and be understood. Then there are other moments where she curls into a ball, burying herself in her mother’s arms, thriving on the attention her fretful mother gives her.

Jennifer Morrison, as Katie Keller (Helen’s mom), treads a delicate balance of not knowing what to do for her daughter and doing everything for her. In every mannerism (from the way she holds Abigail, to the way she walks with the wind knocked out of her when the child is not near her) we see her walking that tightrope.

The family, from her father, Capt. Keller (played by Matthew Modine), to her step brother, James, (Tobias Segel), and Aunt Ev (Elizabeth Franz), have no idea how to deal with her… and their frustration often results in their most challenging traits on display.

The payoff that we all know is coming is what makes the show ultimately successful. We all know Annie finds a way to communicate with Helen, who in turn finds her way to communicate with the world. But even though I knew it was coming, the waterworks came fast and hard when Abigail began pumping that water and finally understood the words “Mother” and “Teacher.”

Happily, we saw it on a Talkback Tuesday. The entire cast, and the production’s director, Kate Whoriskey, were on hand to give us further insight into the process of how this show came to be what we saw that night.

A new mom herself, Whoriskey was able to articulate just what makes this story so unique. As a parent, you want to do the best you can by your child, but as Helen was an exceptional child with exceptional needs, Katie and Capt. Keller  had to come to grips with the fact that they were not equipped to be their daughter’s primary caretaker… and they had to trust a 20 year old girl, who herself had been blind, to do it.

I was most pleased that night to see scores of children with their families in attendance. And I hope that those families keep spreading the word so this show can keep inspiring the next generation to reach for things that at times might seem impossible.

Get your tickets here.

–Sue

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