 |
|
|
| Like a visit from an old friend, The
Miracle Worker has made another appearance on a St. Louis stage as the
Repertory Theatre of St. Louis has brought the intense drama to their
Mainstage. To my knowledge, it's been quite some time since anyone has staged
the William Gibson classic in our town. Centered on the young Helen Keller and her young teacher, Annie Sullivan, The Miracle Worker takes us on a journey as the deaf, blind and mute Helen has been brought up in a family that bows to her every whim instead of being given the discipline that any youngster should be shown. Fresh out of school and sight impaired herself, Annie perseveres and battles the family to force the intelligent little girl to sign and understand the world around her. It's a moving story and the young Hannah Ryan is to be commended for a powerful performance. She alternates with another young actress in the demanding role but her performance on the night we saw the play is very impressive. Equally stunning is Amy Landon as Annie. Although a slim and willowy actress herself, she commands the stage as she is determined to break through the seemingly impenetrable wall that Helen has naturally set between herself and the world. Director Susan Gregg has made the scenes between these two powerful and very touching. They are the focus of the play and that final scene never fails to bring tears to everyone's' eyes. The rest of the cast is great as well although some had a tendency to over emote with the occasional highly melodramatic scenes. The John Ezell set design is superb with the rotating rooms of the house where Helen spent her childhood and the working water pump downstage center that is the dramatic focus of the moving final scene. The large back lit screens high in the back stage area were more a distraction, however, than a help in moving some background information along. The Miracle Worker is a classic piece of theatre and an excellent introduction to live theatre for the younger audience. So plan on bringing the teens and pre-teens to see this outstanding production. The Miracle Worker plays at the Rep Mainstage through March 8th. This is Steve Allen with a look at theatre in St. Louis for Classic 99. |
||