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Celebrating the 55th anniversary of its Broadway premiere, William Gibson’s “The Miracle Worker” is set to share the compelling story of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan at Lockport’s Bayou Playhouse May 8-31.
The telling, set in the 1880s and based on the autobiography of Keller titled, “The Story of My Life,” stars Dru Delaney Collins as Keller, Lucy Faust as Sullivan, Jillian Vedros-Rowan as Kate Keller and Dane Rhodes as Captain Authur Keller. Other cast members are Daphne Hernadez playing Aunt Evelyn, Rhonda Dents playing servant, Viney, and Roger Hernandez playing Mr. Anagnos, director of Perkins Institution of the Blind. The playhouse’s Perry Martin directs.
“We’re very fortunate to have Lucy Faust as part of our cast. She is the great-great-niece of Helen Keller, so she had a great deal of insight to offer,” Martin said. “This should be a wonderful production.”
In the southern classic, Keller, born blind and deaf and because of this, mute, finds the light amid her dark world through the persistence, love and sheer stubbornness of her northern-born teacher Sullivan. Sullivan, who is half-blind, does not pity the spoiled Keller, instead ruling sternly with the intent of encouraging the young girl to live the most normal life possible.
“The Miracle Worker” is adapted from the 1962 Oscar Award-winning film by the same name starring Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke. It was also the first play directed by Playhouse Artistic Director Martin, who went on to have involvement in 130 productions over 28 years. •
