Front Row Centre Review: THE MIRACLE WORKER

Theatre Review: THE MIRACLE WORKER

By Mark Andrew Lawrence, FrontRowCentre@rogers.com

Based on the story Helen Keller and her determined teacher, Annie Sullivan, THE MIRACLE WORKER was originally written for television. It was so well received that it was transferred to the Broadway stage in 1959.

Stage Centre Productions is presenting this Tony award-winning play in a taught production cantered on two stunning performances: Judy Gans as Annie Sullivan and Sara VanBuskirk in a mesmerizing turn as Helen Keller.

The role of Helen is one of the most challenging in modern theatre. Able to communicate only through odd grunts, wails and temper tantrums, Helen has no connection with the outside world. Her parents, not knowing how else to cope, simply indulge her. When governess Annie Sullivan arrives on the scene she intends to teach Helen not only how to communicate, but how to behave. First, however, she must convince the parents that some tough love is necessary. This sets the stage for series of showdowns between Judy Ganz and Rein Kartna as Captain Keller – a man not used to having his authority challenged. Jill Frazer as Kate Keller strikes a perfect balance between toughness and tenderness as she tries to act as a buffer between her husband and his employee.

This leads us to the one weak link in the production, and it is due mainly to Gibson's script rather than the performances. Captain Keller is written as a bit of a bumbler in the tradition of those 50's father-doesn't-know-best sitcoms. His confrontations with his son, played with intelligence and restraint by Jeremy Wright, never quite become theatrical fireworks. It is almost as if the author was afraid this would detract from the main conflict between Helen and Annie. 

The showdown is a no-holds barred battle of wills between teacher and pupil that forms the centrepiece of the middle act. Though the battle scene is hard to watch it is also impossible to look away; it's that compelling.

L.Garth Allen has done his customarily brilliant job coaxing fine performances from cast and keeping the action moving steadily towards its inevitable climax. Scenes build with tension, relieved occasionally by some of Annie's wry humour that gives sparkle to Judy Gans' warm performance.

The real star of the evening here is Sara VanBuskirk. Watch her expression as it slowly shifts into a state of wonder during the scene early in Act Three as she sits in Annie's cottage. It's a performance you will never forget, in a play that is deservedly a modern Broadway classic.

THE MIRACLE WORKER, presented by Stage Centre Productions at Fairview Library Theatre (35 Fairview Mall Drive) continues until January 28^th. Evening performances are at 8 PM Thursday through Saturday with a 2 PM matinee on Sunday January 22^nd. Tickets are $25 and available by calling the box office at (416) 299-5557.