ALT’s ‘Miracle Worker’ a powerful, well-acted production
Many are familiar with the story of Helen Keller, the deaf and blind woman who became the first person to overcome her disabilities and achieve international fame. Keller wrote 12 books, including an autobiography, which is the source of the film “The Miracle Worker,” which garnered academy awards for Patty Duke and Anne Bancroft in 1962. However, before “The Miracle Worker” was a film it was a play, and it is now receiving a powerful production at Albuquerque Little Theatre.
William Gibson’s drama focuses on the relationship of Helen and her teacher Annie Sullivan. The young girl was spoiled by her frustrated parents, and in some ways treated more like a family pet than a human being; to stop Helen’s tantrums her parents gave her treats, which only reinforced the tantrums, because the tantrums always produced more treats.
However, what Helen really craved was not treats but loving and patient discipline. And that is what she finally received from her young teacher, the miracle worker, Annie Sullivan.
Annie recognizes Helen’s innate intelligence, which is trapped inside and screaming to get out. She painstakingly teaches her language via signing, one initially incomprehensible word at a time. This requires great patience and trust — something the contemporary world is in short supply of itself. Thus the audience also needs to muster patience, as well, as witnesses to Helen’s transformation, which finally comes in the play’s final scene. But the payoff is extraordinary, and well-worth the wait and expended concentration.
Helen is played by 9-year-old Alina Horak, a home-schooled child of immense talent and charm. The young actor brilliantly conveys Helen’s restless intelligence and precocious manipulation. She brought tears to my eyes as she struggled to articulate her first word, “water,” and after that initial triumph joyfully began identifying more things by their words, finally embracing her teacher in the play’s concluding moment.
Her costar Michelle Volpe Roe is equally impressive as the tireless miracle worker. Sullivan endured a very difficult childhood herself; nearly blind, she was abandoned (along with her brother) by her father to a deplorable charity home for the poor. Although she regained most of her sight, her brother died in the home. Her tragic youth is portrayed in flashbacks projected in silhouettes against the back wall. While this is impressively executed, the flashback scenes do not contribute in any meaningful way to the drama.
“The Miracle Worker” contains a subplot that is also probably unnecessary. Mr. Keller’s elder son, from a previous marriage, is continually trying to assert his independence. Despite these imperfections in Gibson’s play, “The Miracle Worker” is bolstered by sharp direction from Nancy Sellin and a strong supporting cast. Glenn Pepe’s multilevel set and lighting design are also top-notch.
“The Miracle Worker” is playing through May 7 at ALT, 224 San Pasquale in Old Town. Go to albuquerquelittletheatre.org or call 2424750 to make reservations.