Theatre of the Republic

February 9-13 & 16-20, 2005

Sponsored by Easy Radio 105.9-94.5 FM

By William Gibson | Directed by Tim McGhee | Lighting Design by Brian Carter

The winner of six Tony Awards including best play, "The Miracle Worker," a story about the life of Helen Keller, will open Feb. 9 at the Main Street Theatre in Conway. Easy Radio 105.9-94.5 FM will sponsor the Pulitzer Prize winning show.

The show that opened on Broadway Oct. 19, 1959 made a star of 12-year-old Patty Duke as the blind and deaf Helen Keller. Anne Bancroft is remembered for her starring role as teacher Annie Sullivan, who in the late 1800s came south from Boston to a farm in Alabama to work with a child whose family was so frustrated with her inability to hear, see or speak, she had been allowed to run wild. Both actresses were so enamored with the show they went on to participate in the film version in 1962 and in 1979, Duke played the role of Annie Sullivan for the television remake of the popular production that featured Melissa Gilbert as Helen.

It took playwright William Gibson five years to get the three-act play to Broadway after turning the script into Braille for then 79-year-old Keller to review. But the story about Keller's courageous life and her triumphs over adversity still inspire, amaze and captivate audiences of all ages.

Director Tim McGhee said, "This play is so dramatic at one point there is a 20 minute fight between Helen and Annie with no dialogue as Annie teaches Helen to eat with a spoon. The scene involves six pages of stage movement. So, you sit there and you just can't believe what's happening."

McGhee first saw the play in Chicago. "I was so taken by it and it went so fast I just couldn't believe it was over," he said.

"The Miracle Worker" is one of this season's shows brought to Conway by The Theatre of the Republic board, who McGhee said is attempting to broaden its offerings to the public.

For young Annie Daniels of Conway, cast in the role of Helen, this play will be "the role she'll never forget," said McGhee. Winning the part over 20 young girls who auditioned, Daniels appeared in TOR's "Holiday on Main Street" in December and had the size and the looks — a small girl with big eyes and big heart, who will with her emotions and spirit to learn take the audience on a remarkable journey — that the director was seeking.

With Helen's character on stage during most of the play and with so much for the child actor to do, McGhee said he had to ensure he cast a child who could follow direction. Eight other girls ages 8 to 10 also have roles as blind children in the play.

Tishala Martinal, remembered most recently for her dramatic role in "Steel Magnolias," will play the part of Annie Sullivan. McGhee describes the teacher's part as being a very physical and heavy role. Martinal will use the sign language alphabet, the form used to teach the real Helen Keller. Martinal will draw on her strong theatrical background and her real life experiences as a mother to bring reality to the stage.

Other members of the Keller family include Captain Keller, the child's very rigid father, who will be portrayed by Doug Smith. Jennifer Wingerter, in her first major role with TOR, will portray Kate Keller, the loving mother frustrated with a child she cannot handle. And Ashley Carroll will play son James.

Smith's last role was that of Jewish immigrant Tateh in "Ragtime." Wingerter was a member of the chorus in "Jekyl & Hyde," and Carroll was one of the Aggie boys in "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas."

Local radio personality Holly Hart has joined the cast and will play the part of Helen's Aunt Ev.

Other cast members include the blind girls -- Lauren Daniels, Crystal Dempsey, Sybil Fisher, Stephanie Wingerter, Makela Rae Toth, Delaney Smith and Elizabeth Vaughan. Jack Jackowicz will play the doctor, and Lacey Lewis will play Viney the housekeeper. Daisya Brantley and Jakob Cartier, also appear as Helen's playmates.

Dolores Lamb will act as assistant director and stage manager, with light design by Brian Carter; costumes by Sandy Flora and hair and makeup by J.P. Perez.

Show dates and times are 8 p.m. Feb. 9-12 and 16-19 with 3 p.m. matinees on Feb. 13 and 20. Tickets are $15.

A special performance for school children will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb 18. Teachers are invited to bring their classes for $5 per student. Call the box office at 488-0821 for more details or for reservations.

For tickets call the "Stage Right" office at 488-0821.