Paper Mill Playhouse's mainstage production of The Miracle Worker officially opened January 27 at 7:30PM, with performances to continue through February 24, 2008 at the Millburn Theatre. There are three added student matinee performances on February 6, 13 and 14 at 11AM. The Miracle Worker is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.
"Before Helen Keller became a world famous speaker, author, and advocate, she was a blind, deaf, and mostly mute child living in Alabama in the 1880's. Misunderstood, pitied, and consequently spoiled by her family, at the age of six she terrorized the household with her tantrums and tricks. Then, Anne Sullivan arrived. She was merely twenty years old herself, but Anne held the key that would unlock the door between Helen and the world," explain press notes, "William Gibson's Tony Award-winning play (adapted into the Academy Award-winning film) unfolds the trials and tribulations Anne and Helen encountered as they forged what would become a 49-year-long friendship. From their isolation in the family cottage house to the watershed moment when Helen finally understood the concept of language and communication, The Miracle Worker is a profoundly moving retelling of the groundbreaking work of two pioneers, as well as the volatile relationship between them."
Annika Boras, a regional theater favorite, makes her Paper Mill debut as the determined Anne Sullivan. Playing the role of Helen Keller are two remarkable young women, Meredith Lipson and Lily Maketansky (New Jersey resident). The Miracle Worker is directed by Susan Fenichell. The design team for The Miracle Worker includes Scenic and Costume Designer David Zinn; Lighting Design is by Mary Louise Geiger; Hair and Wig Design is by Chuck LaPointe and Sound Design is by Randy Hansen. The Production Stage Manager is Jennifer Grutza.
The Miracle Worker plays the following performance schedule: Wednesdays at 7:30PM, Thursdays at 2:00PM & 7:30PM, Fridays at 8:00PM, Saturdays at 2:00PM & 8:00PM and Sundays at 2:00PM & 7:30PM.
Single tickets are now on sale and range in price from $25 to $92. Student rush tickets are $20 and are available the day of performance in person with current student ID. Tickets may be purchased by calling 973-376-4343, or at the Paper Mill Box Office on Brookside Drive in Millburn, or online at www.papermill.org. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express accepted. Groups of ten or more can receive up to a 25% discount on tickets and student groups can attend any performance for only $20 per ticket. For more information visit www.papermill.org.
Photos by Genevieve Rafter Keddy
