The Miracle Worker (play)

The Miracle Worker (play)

Infobox Play
name = The Miracle Worker


image_size =
caption =
writer = William Gibson
characters = Annie Sullivan
Helen Keller
James Keller
Anagnos
Captain Keller
Viney
setting = Tuscumbia, Alabama
premiere = 19 October 1959
place = Playhouse Theatre
orig_lang = English
subject =
genre =
web =
playbill =
ibdb_id = 2759

"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.

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." [cite news | author=Time writers | title=New Plays on Broadway| url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,892828,00.html | work=Time | date=2 November 1959| accessdate=2008-06-17]

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

creen 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.

References

External links

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