Miracle Worker

The Whole Backstage Theater's spring 2000 show, "The Miracle Worker" by William Gibson, will begin its two-weekend run on Friday, April 7th. It is the story of the rescue of Helen Keller by her teacher Annie Sullivan. Keller, blind and deaf, was a spoiled, violent, and isolated young girl. Annie Sullivan was able to weather her tantrums and help her learn to communicate. This very poignant and heartwarming drama has been made into
an Academy Award winning movie and remains widely popular with audiences.

Rich Resler is directing this show, which is the final offering for the 1999-2000 WBS season. The cast of "The Miracle Worker" includes:

Tracey Resler as Helen Keller,
Lonnie Crawford as Annie Sullivan
Paul Smith as Captain Arthur Keller,
Jenna Gillaspie as Kate Keller
Will Smith as James Keller
Jennie McBride as Aunt Ev
Jerry Brown as Mr. Anagnos
Lisa Araujo as Viney
Jaleasa Hampton as Martha
Cassidy Staton as Percy
Reese Covington as the Doctor
Bridgette Currier, Damaris Delegal, Corrine
Flaherty, Holli Mostella, Leah Russell, and Ashley Sims as the girls from the Perkins Institute for the Blind.

There will be seven performances of "The Miracle Worker" - April 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, and 16. Weekday and Saturday performances start at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday shows at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students and senior citizens. You can call 256-582-SHOW (7469) for reservations beginning March 23.

The Whole Backstage presents William Gibson's dramatization of an early chapter in the life of Helen Keller and the struggle of her indomitable teacher, Annie Sullivan, to break through the barriers that surrounded her speechless, sightless, deaf student. Advised by townspeople of Tuscumbia, Alabama to institutionalize her difficult daughter, Kate Keller hired Annie, who had herself been blind, to try to reach Helen, while Helen's father, a rigid southern gentleman, questions every step. In March of 1887 Annie began to teach Helen, and on April 5, 1887 the miracle occurred: Helen associated water with the letters w-a-t-e-r that Annie was spelling into Helen's hand. Helen learned thirty words by the end of that day -- and never stopped learning. The upbeat message this show presents about the power of human perseverance is strong.