Pollard Theater presents The Miracle Worker

THE MIRACLE WORKER is the ground-breaking, Tony Award winning play, about a child’s suffering, a mother’s love and the astonishing miracle of communication.  Written by William Gibson, the four-time Tony Award winning play comes to The Pollard Theater, February 21st – March 15th, and is the fourth production of the company’s 27th Season: Our Voices.

Young Helen Keller, blind, deaf, and mute since infancy, is in danger of being sent to an institution because her inability to communicate has left her frustrated and violent.  In desperation, her parents seek help from the Perkins Institute, which sends them a “half-blind Yankee schoolgirl” named Annie Sullivan to tutor their daughter. Despite the Kellers’ resistance and the belief that Helen “is like a little safe, locked, that no one can open,” Annie suspects that within Helen lies the potential for more, if only she can reach her.  Through persistence, love, and sheer stubbornness, Annie breaks through Helen’s walls of silence and darkness and teaches her to communicate, bringing her into the world at last. Based on a remarkable true story, THE MIRACLE WORKER is an inspiring and unforgettable tale that continues to move audiences and has become an American classic.

The Pollard Theatre Company has assembled a marvelous cast which includes Gwendolyn Evans (Avenue Q, The 39 Steps) in the role of Annie Sullivan and Alexandria Grable (To Kill a Mockingbird) in the role of Helen Keller.  The cast also includes Pollard veterans Timothy Stewart as Captain Keller, Trinity Goodwin as Kate Keller, Joshua McGowen as James Keller, Beverly Caviness as Aunt Ev and James Ong as Anagnos/Doctor. Pollard newcomers Lisa Mack, Destiny Mack, Ahmad Coleman and Colton Casteel round out the talented cast.  Pollard Artistic Director, W. Jerome Stevenson (To Kill a Mockingbird), assisted by Jennifer Rosson helms this rich new production which will feature, scenic design and costume design by Michael James, property design by Timothy Stewart and sound design by Jared Blount.

Inspired by the recent Broadway revival of The Miracle Worker, the Pollard production seeks to introduce contemporary audiences to this inspiring story made famous by the 1962 film which earned Academy Awards for its stars, Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke.  “Miracle Worker is a title that many recognize but have never experienced. Gibson’s piece is rich with humor as well as pathos.  It moves and challenges us and the challenge that faces our creative team is to tighten the narrative and connect it to our audience.  As we explore the play we continue to find the connective tissue between these iconic characters and our own children; our own desperate need to be heard.  It’s quite a different show than even we expected and I think our audience are going to be wonderfully surprised by the experience,” explains Stevenson.

THE MIRACLE WORKER  runs February 21st through  March 15th at the Pollard Theater. Tickets are $20 with seniors, military, student and rush ticket discounts available.  Performances are Fridays and  Saturdays at  8:00 pm, Thursdays March 6th and 13th at 8:00 pm, and Sundays March 2nd and 9th at  2:00 pm. Tickets are available online at  www.thepollard.org, by phone, 405-282-2800 or at the Pollard Box Office at 120 W. Harrison Ave. Guthrie, Oklahoma.  Sponsorship for The Miracle Worker is provided by the Kerry & Leslie Maye, with additional support from the Oklahoma Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts and the Inasmuch Foundation.