By Marie Male
ST. JACOBS – The Miracle Worker brings to life the true story of Helen Keller and her teacher Annie Sullivan.
The battle of wits between a blind and deaf student and her tutor is masterfully portrayed on stage at St. Jacobs Country Playhouse.
Two inherently strong people triumph over the cruel hand that life had dealt them, inspiring generations to come.
Helen Keller, born in 1880, was blind and deaf since contracting scarlet fever as a baby. Unable to express herself or comprehend the world around her she became a feral-like child. Her parents did not attempt to stop her from throwing tantrums or having any sense of decorum out of pity. Fearful for her future, they enlisted the help of a teacher from an institute for the blind.
Annie Sullivan had her own ghosts to deal with and had also experienced blindness. By the age of twenty, armed with hard experience, determination and an intuitive mind, she attempted to unlock the door to Helen’s dark, thwarted world through language.
On that journey their visceral physical battles are high points in the play and choreographed skillfully by fight director Joe Bostick.
The mealtime scene in which Helen plucks food with her hands from everyone’s plate and stuffs it into her mouth stops with Annie’s plate.
A long battle ensues and culminates with a spoon in Helen’s hand and a napkin folded in her lap.
Clara Kushnir plays Helen Keller with the juxtaposition of angelic face and raving creature, never wavering out of character. Her deft fingers find the faces and furniture with expert purpose.
Her rants denote frustrated intelligence.
Kushnir, who is new to Drayton Entertainment has played Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird at The Stratford Festival and appeared in several film roles.
Shannon Currie as Annie Sullivan is a powerfully confident and commanding performer, eliciting sympathy and respect for a will driven by tragedy as well as intuition.
Her frank revelation to the Kellers’ concerning her horrific upbringing in a rat- and disease-infested institution is potent.
Also in her Drayton Entertainment debut, she has played many theatre venues and done film/TV work on shows such as Murdoch Mysteries and Saving Hope.
Jackie Mustakas as Helens’ mother Kate beautifully portrays the ultimate, loving image of motherhood.
Captain Keller as played by Rob McClure is the patriarch whose circumstances often bring demotion.
Marcia Johnson as Viney is enjoyable as the tolerant and loving housekeeper. Also in her Drayton Entertainment debut, she has a long list of theatre, film and TV credits.
Gabrielle Jones as Aunt Ev and Thomas Duplessie as Helen’s stepbrother play family roles impacted thanklessly by young Helen.
Bryce Wynter as a Percy and Talia Lowell as Martha are supporting actors that provide comfort to Helen.
The offstage voices bring clarification though seem detached.
Marti Maraden directed the production with apparent skill and vast experience.
Among them are 18 seasons as an actor and director at the Stratford Festival and artistic director for the National Arts Centre.
Set designer Allan Wilbee created a visually appealing, homey set that fluctuates seamlessly from scene to scene.
Costume designer Jenine Kroeplin produced some richly suitable period costumes that help to denote when the story happened as it could be anytime.
William Gibson was playwright for The Miracle Worker, which debuted on Broadway in 1959.
Using Helen Keller’s autobiography and Annie Sullivan’s letters, the story would be told through many formats.
The play starring Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke garnered them each a Tony Award. Many audience members would remember the 1962 blockbuster movie The Miracle Worker again starring Patty Duke and Anne Bancroft, for which they each won an Academy Award.
Apparently the mealtime battle scene required the use of padding under their clothes.
Helen Keller was a household name, her story was told in schools and valued as a learning tool.
She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from Radcliffe and was often quoted as saying “the only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.”
It is great to have Helen Keller back again in this wonderful production. The exultant climactic scene left few dry eyes.
While on stage until May 12, on opening night tickets for The Miracle Worker’s run were 80 per cent sold out.
Tickets are $48 for adults and $29 for youth under 20 years of age.
Tickets for groups of 20 or more and selected discount dates are $39. HST is applicable to all ticket prices.
Tickets may be purchased online at www.draytonentertainment.com, in person at the box office, or by calling 519-747-7788 or toll free at 1-855-DRAYTON (372-9866).
Drayton Entertainment will present a signed performance on May 11 at 7:30pm at St. Jacobs Country Playhouse.
Two American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters will be on stage for the performance.
Although they may be visible from all seats, designated seating has been reserved for best viewing of the stage and the ASL interpreters.
Seats in the held section will not be available for purchase online.
Interested patrons should call the box office at 519-747-7788 to buy seats in the designated section.
