| The Miracle Worker | |
|---|---|
| Written by | William Gibson |
| Characters | Annie Sullivan Helen Keller James Keller Anagnos Captain Keller Viney |
| Date premiered | 19 October 1959 |
| Place premiered | Playhouse Theatre |
| Original language | English |
| Subject | |
| Genre | |
| Setting | Tuscumbia, Alabama |
| IBDB profile | |
The Miracle Worker is a three-act play by William Gibson adapted from his 1957 Playhouse 90 teleplay of the same name. It is based on Helen Keller's autobiography The Story of My Life.
The play is set in Tuscumbia, Alabama, where an illness renders infant Helen blind, deaf, and consequently mute. Pitied and badly spoiled by her parents, she learns no discipline and grows into a wild, raging creature by the age of six. Desperate, the Kellers hire Anne Sullivan to serve as a governess and teacher for their young daughter. After several fierce battles with the little girl, Annie convinces her parents she needs two weeks alone with the child if she is to achieve any progress in her education. In that time, she teaches Helen discipline and language through the use of her fingers, a breakthrough that has a direct effect on everyone's life and the way they live it.
The Broadway production was directed by Arthur Penn. It opened at the Playhouse Theatre on October 19, 1959 and closed on July 1, 1961 after 719 performances.
Contents |
Principal opening night cast
- Anne Bancroft ..... Annie Sullivan
- Patty Duke ..... Helen Keller
- Patricia Neal ..... Kate Keller
- Torin Thatcher ..... Captain Keller
- Michael Constantine ..... Anagnos
- Beah Richards ..... Viney
Patty Duke remained with the play for its entire run. Suzanne Pleshette eventually replaced Anne Bancroft.
Principal production credits
- Producer ......Fred Coe
- Scenic Design ..... George Jenkins
- Lighting Design ..... George Jenkins
- Costume Design ..... Ruth Morley
- Stage Manager ..... Porter Van Zandt
Critical reception
Time called the play "fairly makeshift, at times clumsy, and, when sound-tracking voices from the past, occasionally embarrassing" but praised "the extraordinary performances, the magnificent teamwork of Anne Bancroft and ten-year-old Patty Duke, and the brilliant direction of Arthur Penn."[1]
Awards and nominations
- Awards
- Tony Award for Best Play
- Tony Award for Best Direction - Arthur Penn
- Tony Award for Best Actress - Anne Bancroft
- Tony Award for Best Stage Technician - John Walters
- Theatre World Award - Patty Duke
- Nominations
- Tony Award for Best Scenic Design - George Jenkins
Screen adaptation
Gibson, Penn, Bancroft, and Duke reunited for a highly acclaimed 1962 film adaptation. Gibson and Penn were nominated for Academy Awards and both actresses won Oscars for their performances.
West End Production 1994
DIRECTOR: Richard Olivier, Bill Kenwright Ltd.
THEATRE: National Tour to Wyndham's Theatre
CAST:
- Jenny Seagrove ....... Annie Sullivan
- Catherine Holman ..... Helen Keller
- Judi Bowker .......... Kate Keller
- William Gaunt ........ Captain Keller
- Matthew Sharp ........ James Keller
- Rena Valeh ........... Aunt Ev
- Michael Thornton ..... Anagnos
- Annette Crooks ....... Martha
- Shelaagh Ferrell ..... Viney
References
- ^ Time writers (2 November 1959). "New Plays on Broadway". Time. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,892828,00.html. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
External links
- The Miracle Worker at the Internet Broadway Database
- The Miracle Worker (1962 film) at the Internet Movie Database
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