The Miracle Worker – on stage in May ?

Auckland Theatre Company presents a true story of struggle, determination and incredible triumph over adversity. The inspiring story of Helen Keller, a humanist and the most famous disability advocate of all time, on stage during NZ sign language week.

Cast into a world of silence and darkness due to an infant illness in 1882, young deaf, blind Helen Keller grew into a wild, angry, tantrum-throwing child. Robbed of the basic human ability to communicate, Helen overcame extreme adversity with the help of her young, partially-sighted teacher; ‘miracle worker’ Annie Sullivan.

William Gibson’s Tony Award-winning play, The Miracle Worker, based on the true story of Keller and Sullivan, has inspired audiences around the world with its powerful storytelling. So too has Helen Keller herself, in her work as an international author, educator and advocate for socioeconomic justice, which she saw as fundamental to improving the lives of people with disabilities. This work led to her becoming one of the 20th Century’s greatest humanitarians.

Auckland Theatre Company’s production of The Miracle Worker at ASB Waterfront Theatre, created by some of New Zealand’s top acting and creative talents, will bring this great American story to a new generation of audiences in May 2020.

Director Margaret-Mary Hollins says, “We’ve set this period play in the world of 1880s Alabama, so the set and costumes are true to the time that these events in Hellen Keller’s life took place. However, our design is contemporary. I can’t say too much more in that respect or I will spoil the surprise.

“In the way we’ve chosen to present the world of the play, we gain an insight into Helen Keller’s perspective, and begin to understand why she became such an iconic female figure in history,” Hollins says.

Leading the cast, playing phenomenal teacher Annie Sullivan, is Amelia Reynolds (Burn Her, Pop Up Globe; Macbeth, The Comedy of Errors, As the Bell Rings) and well-known actor Laurel Devenie (Shortland Street, A Doll’s House, A Midsummer Night’s Dream) as Helen’s mother, Kate Keller. After an extensive search, ATC were delighted to discover sixteen-year-old high school student Emma Kemp, who was an absolute stand out in the audition process and perfect for the immensely physical role of Helen Keller.

The large and experienced cast also includes Edwin Wright (Guns Akimbo, In Dark Places, Rendered) in the role of Captain Keller, Beth Kayes (Once There Was A Woman, Life is Easy, American Playboy: The Hugh Hefner Story) as Aunt Ev, and Aidan O’Malley (Bystander, Good Idea at the Time, Beat(h)oven) plays brother James Keller.

Hollins is joined on the creative team by some of Aotearoa’s leading designers, who will bring the world of Helen Keller to life. They include Set Designer Dan Williams (Filthy Business, When Sun & Moon Collide, Boys), Costume Designer Elizabeth Whiting (The Daylight Atheist/Joan, Shortland Street – The Musical, Nell Gwynn), Lighting Designer Jo Kilgour (Six Degrees of Separation, Nell Gwynn, Amadeus) and Sound Designer Jason Smith (You can Always hand them Back, Once on Chunuk Bair).

The Miracle Worker was originally written by Gibson as a teleplay in 1957, based on Helen Keller’s autobiography The Story of My Life. Gibson then adapted The Miracle Worker into a Broadway play in 1959, winning the 1960 Tony award for best play. The work was subsequently made into a movie three times, in 1962, 1979 and 2000. The Miracle Worker‘s enduring themes of family, the innate human need to communicate, and its bittersweet drama have cemented its place as a must-see, emotionally uplifting theatre classic.

Playing 7 to 23 May at ASB Waterfront Theatre, Auckland Theatre Company’s ASB Season of The Miracle Worker will open in NZ Sign Language Week. A signed performance, touch tour and audio described performances are available.

For more information, including ticket sales go HERE.