Starting on Feb. 4, Theatre Tuscaloosa will present “The Miracle Worker,” a play telling the story of Alabama native Helen Keller and her teacher Annie Sullivan.
Sullivan was born legally blind, but after nine surgeries doctors were able to restore part of her vision. After growing up around those experiencing mental and physical disabilities, she began teaching children with disabilities, such as Helen, who was blind and deaf from infancy.
“It’s a great Alabama story,” said Jeff Wilson, who plays Captain Keller, Helen’s father.
He said he enjoys watching Zoe Jones play Helen Keller.
“The whole play revolves around her and she has no lines,” Wilson said. “It’s a challenge.”
Stacy Panitch, who plays Sullivan, said she has enjoyed learning about the Helen Keller story and its Alabama roots, since she considers herself a “Yankee.”
For those like Panitch who may not know much about Keller’s story, there will be three free special events to attend that will give insight into the life and achievements of Helen Keller.
The two preshow events will be Friday Feb. 11 and Saturday Feb. 12, both at 6:30 p.m. in the Alabama Power Recital Hall on the Shelton State Community College campus.
The first event will feature Lauren Wilson, who will be lecturing on the ways Helen Keller created access for people with disabilities. The second event will feature a reading of quotes, letters and poems by Helen Keller, presented by the Theatre Tuscaloosa actors.
The third event will be a post-show poetry reading by Jeanie Thompson of poems about Helen Keller. This event will be held March 1 at 7 p.m.
The play itself will run from Feb. 4 to Feb. 13 at Shelton State Community College’s Bean-Brown Theatre.
“It is a play about two extraordinary women,” Panitch said. “It is very challenging [to play Annie]. She is going through a huge transition. She has a lot of baggage.”
Throughout the play Sullivan is constantly reminded of her past, having seen the horrors of mental hospitals and not wanting Helen to succumb to the same fate. With patience, Sullivan educates Helen and helps her adapt to society.
“The audience will identify with Annie Sullivan trying to get a child to obey, or with a child with learning disabilities,” Panitch said.
Panitch received her MFA in acting from the University of Alabama and is currently a UA employee.
Since the Keller story is a part of Alabama’s history and is incorporated into the 4th-grade learning curriculum across the state, local students will be able to attend two matinee showings. These shows will be performed just for the school children in order to offer a better understanding of Keller and Sullivan.
The performances will start at 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays through Saturdays and at 2 p.m. on Wednesdays and Sundays. Regular performance tickets will be $17 for adults, $14 for seniors, and $10 for students and children. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit theatretusc.com or call 391-2277.
