The Miracle Worker: A Touching Performance

October 9, 2010 - by Sheila R. Lamb

The Miracle Worker, performed by Castaways Repertory Theatre, highlights Annie Sullivan’s early experiences with the recalcitrant Helen Keller. Katherine Biscula directs this moving adaptation of William Gibson’s play. As Helen struggles to emerge from her cocoon of isolation, Annie endeavors to break free from her haunting past.

Not enough can be said about Rebecca Hausman’s poignant portrayal of Helen. From the beginning Hausman aptly depicts Helen’s loneliness as a blind and deaf child through tactile expression and movement. Hausman uses the tactile to it's fullest – she grabs, clutches, and clings to her family, almost to the point of injury. She is constantly reaching out with her hands, symbolizing to the audience not only Helen’s need to learn her way around the house but also her efforts to reach out to those around her. The audience is immediately drawn into Helen’s world, and understands she is trying to use touch to communicate.

Alexia Poe exemplifies Sullivan, a new teacher determined to overcome her trepidation with sharp edged, smartly delivered retorts, particularly in her interactions with the formidable Captain Keller (Scott Olson). These scenes bring more than several laughs from the audience. Her more somber moments are revealed through flashbacks from her childhood. Heather Biscula and Collin Chandler play a young Annie and her brother. A sepulchral doctor appears to tell the audience of the Sullivan’s sad fate in ominously delivered lines.

Together, Poe and Hausman use the physical to expertly create tension-filled scenes, interspersed with humor. In one of her first tasks, Sullivan (think Super Nanny) strives to teach Helen proper manners at the dinner table. Helen throws her spoon from the table numerous times, each toss accompanied by well-delivered facial expressions that capture Helen’s belief that she has bested Sullivan, in a “gotcha” moment. As they fight – Sullivan’s attempt to wrestle Helen into compliance - Poe and Hausman again use the physical to its fullest advantage onstage. Helen’s parents, along with her sarcastic half-brother, Jimmy (Stephen Keane), have the complex task of loving Helen and being frustrated by her. Colleen Close, as Kate Keller, does a stunning job of illustrating the bond between mother and child – no matter how difficult the child. Jimmy’s wit adds levity to several scenes where the family is at a loss over how to quell Helen’s disobedience.

The minimalist scenery gives the actors full utilization of the stage. A simple bedroom and dining room make up most of the set, along with the significant water pump off to the side. There are a few moments when some of the actor’s backs are to the audience, particularly at the dining table. Biscula fixes this by making the most of the power struggle of using a napkin at dinner between Sullivan and Helen. The napkin takes center stage.

The actors improvise various scenes, such as in Sullivan’s flashbacks or in the garden house. Poe and Hausman need few props to interpret Sullivan’s valiant determination to teach Helen and open the world to her.

Performances of The Miracle Worker begin October 8, 2010 at 8pm, and continue Friday and Saturday evenings through October 23rd. One matinee will be performed on Saturday October16th at 1pm.

- General Admission: $14

- Seniors, students, children 12 & under, military, and PWC employees: $11

- Groups of 10 or more, and matinee admission: $10

The theater is located inside the Dr. A.J. Ferlazzo Building.

15941 Donald Curtis Drive

Woodbridge VA.

Special Performance Information:

- An interpreter for the deaf will be present at both performances on the 16th (1PM & 8PM).

- Teacher buy-1-get-1-free on October 15

- Military buy-1-get-1-free on October 23

Castaway Repertory Theatre is in partnership with The Lion's Club International. You can bring your used eyeglasses to donate at a performance and save a dollar off admission to the show.

For more info on NoVA Showbiz, or if you'd like us to review your show - please be sure to email novashowbiz@gmail.com.