BWW Reviews: THE MIRACLE WORKER, An Engrossing Success At A.D. Players

Helen Keller is an iconic American heroine, her story being the epitome of triumph over daunting obstacles. When she was 19 months old she was stricken with an illness described by doctors as "acute congestion of the stomach and brain", leaving her blind and deaf. After several years of intellectual neglect, she met a teacher who changed her life. She went on to become the first blind and deaf person to earn a Bachelor of Arts, published 12 books, and campaigned for labor rights and women's suffrage. Such a fascinating story understandably inspires playwrights and movie makers, so it's no surprise that William Gibson's THE MIRACLE WORKER came to be both a Tony-award winning Broadway play and inspired three film productions.

The story is well-known and revered by many. Annie Sullivan, a no-nonsense spitfire, comes to help the Keller family with their child, Helen, who has been given no boundaries or education. Helen is like a wild animal, lost in a world of darkness and isolation. Sullivan has undergone nine eye operations herself, and is no stranger to heartache and loss. Sullivan quickly realises that no progress can be made in the midst of the permissive and co-dependant household, and so she bargains a two-week separation from the family during which she and Helen can work alone in the garden house. Sullivan is a rock, nothing can stop her, not even authoritarian Captain Keller. Because of Annie Sullivan's sheer determination we see Helen reach her breakthrough and her world opens up as she gains access to language. As Sullivan says, "Language is more to her mind than light to the eye".

The greatest aspect of the play are the scenes in which Helen and Annie teeter between battles of will and teaching moments. This A.D Players production masters these scenes with apt contention and grit. As Annie Sullivan, Christy Watkins immerses herself in the role with dedication and focus. Her character is the driving force of the show, and Watkins never backs down, never shies away from the physical and emotional demands of the part. McKay Lawless is wonderful as Helen, taking on the physical challenges of the part in stride. Her performance is measured and focused; blessedly, there is never any mugging for the audience or scenery chewing. Watkins and Lawless are wonderful together, whether they're in a knockdown fight or desperately trying to connect through sign language.

Director John Tyson adeptly utilizes a strong cast of actors. Ric Hodgin does an excellent job of portraying Captain Keller, a man who is accustomed to being deferred to, but meets his match with the headstrong Miss Sullivan. Playing the submissive Kate Keller, Elizabeth Marshall Black is appropriately docile, but needs to project more- several of her lines went unheard. Jesse Merrill is sedentary and resentful as James Keller, Helen's half brother. There are moments when it seems that Merrill needs more to do onstage, but that may be part of the character; James is a young man who makes himself a nuisance, hanging around aimlessly. Patty Tuel Bailey is a treat as the self-important Aunt Ev, twirling her parasol as she dispenses her unsolicited opinions.

THE MIRACLE WORKER is inevitably a moving experience as we watch Helen go through her transformation under the tutelage of a teacher who will never say die. A.D. Players offers a production that is deliciously contentious and tender.

For tickets: http://www.adplayers.org/ This production runs May 13th-June 21.

Photo Credit: Joel Gutowsky

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