By Kristen Weyer.
Imagine being trapped in a completely dark and silent world, permanently; hearing nothing, seeing nothing, touch and vibration being your only means of understanding and communicating. This frightening picture was one little girl’s reality until a teacher arrived determined to give her the gift of language. The true and inspiring story of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan, The Miracle Worker by William Gibson, is now playing at Theatre Three. Intense and emotional, this uplifting drama is impressive and moving.
It’s Alabama in the 1880’s, Helen Keller lost her vision and hearing to a fever in her infancy. Indulged and spoiled by parents who felt guilty disciplining their disadvantaged daughter, her every whim and tantrum was pandered to, resulting in daily chaos. Desperate for anything that could possibly help their daughter, the Kellers take a chance on a young teacher from Boston, Annie Sullivan. Annie arrives, battling the demons of her own past, and becomes the last hope the Kellers have for their daughter.
Theatre Three’s production is simply, yet beautifully done. A clever tiered set by designer Randall Parsons gives dimension and personality to the Keller’s home (where the majority of the action takes place). Accurate historical costuming by designers Teresa Matteson and Toni St. John, along with sound effects from designers Devin Bin and Tim Haggarty assist in transporting the audience back to another time and place. With varying shades of black and grey the monochromatic feel of the stage and costumes, along with the clever lighting choices of designer Stacey Boggs, heightens the tension and emotion of the play.
The cast of this production gives a marvelous performance full of believable emotion and physicality. From the frustrations of the brother (Eric J. Hughes), and the tired acceptance of the maid (Meridith Szalay), to the indignation of the aunt (Linda Pentz), and the charm of young Percy (Cameron Turner), the entire cast blends exceedingly well together. The touching combination of heartbreak, frustration and desperation from Captain and Kate Keller (Michael Newman and Susan Emory), pulls you in and creates an instant empathy for Helen’s beleaguered parents.
So too, does Jessica Mae Murphy’s portrayal of Annie Sullivan. Her charming combination of cheeky and brusque, with emotional hints of Annie’s own tortured past, brings this inspirational character to life (and adds a few much needed moments of humor to this serious plot). A real life Mary Poppins doling out no-nonsense common sense, with the strength to do what was best for Helen in the long run, rather than what was easy in the present.
Of course no review would be complete without mention of the performance of Helen. And what a performance it is. Brilliantly portrayed by the talented Cassandra La Rocco, the character of Helen is a challenging feat even for a seasoned actor. Staring off into space, no “lines” to speak of but rather communicating in grunts and moans, and diving headlong into intense physical scenes, this young girl transforms herself and gives a completely believable, and very impressive performance. I look forward to seeing much more of her incredible talent in the future.
The Miracle Worker is intense, emotional and thought provoking, and absolutely worth seeing. Directed by Bradlee E. Bing, this drama is a fantastic addition to Theatre Three’s season.