Review: 'The Miracle Worker' by Landmark Community Theatre

Dedicated to all mothers who love fiercely and to the memory of John Fabbri

THOMASTON, CT - Landmark Community Theatre at the Thomaston Opera House is presenting a heartbreakingly effective production of THE MIRACLE WORKER through May 19. I highly recommend securing a ticket for any of the remaining performances of this excellent three- act play written by William Gibson. John Long directed the first rate cast to bring this story vividly to life, while Andrea Bingham served as both production manager and stage manager.

Annie Sullivan had to overcome her own debilitating challenges so she saw life as a struggle, almost a war, where she had to blast her way through to succeed. Helen’s equally strong drive is made clear because, despite her limitations, she manages to get her own way in the household. The battle between these two strong willed women is presented with realistic violent struggles that makes enormous demands on the actresses. - director John Long

I was very familiar with the life story of Helen Keller and her devoted teacher Annie Sullivan, but I had never seen the play version of the early life of Miss Keller (June 27, 1880 – June 1, 1968.) The American author and political activist was truly locked-in by her blindness and deafness until Miss Sullivan broke through to her with water coming out of the outdoor pump. The director did a fine job of accurately representing the struggle that I found surprising heart-wrenching. I managed to hold back my tears only because I knew that the story would ultimately lead to a happy ending.

Bobbie Celine Doherty gives an outstanding performance as the young Helen Keller. At her entrance, I remembered how well she played Scout in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. Ms. Doherty traveled clear across the state to be a part of both of these productions because she wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to play these two characters.

"Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it." - Helen Keller

Sybil Haggard Chamberlin (THE MUSIC MAN, GIDEON’S KNOT) brings teacher Annie Sullivan to life with a beautiful performance. She gave a wonderfully heartfelt drama to this young woman who eventually worked a miracle through her perseverance. It was not lost on this reviewer that Ms. Chamberlin, who once performed on stages throughout the USA and on cruise ships, could now draw upon the fact that she is currently a high school math teacher and the mother of two young sons. She also got to show off her lovely singing voice with an acapella lullaby.

The director decided to have her avoid using the Irish accent that in fact Ms. Sullivan did not have; nevertheless, this fine actress had to master a large amount of lines. She also had to draw upon her strong acting abilities to portray several flashbacks to the trauma in Anne’s childhood.

“When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another.” - William Gibson, THE MIRACLE WORKER

I was so impressed with the tenderly accurate performance of Lana Peck (GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE at the Warner, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN at TheatreWorks New Milford) in the role of Helen’s mother, Kate Keller. She was able to make the most of this supporting role with another fine dramatic performance. Ms. Peck, who appears in her third production of the play, dedicated this excellent performance to the memory of John Fabbri, who played her father Capt. Keller when she took on the role of Helen.

Jim Doherty, the father of Bobbie who drove her to all rehearsals, tackled the role of Helen’s father, always referred to as Captain Keller and matched the level of that of his onstage second wife. Mr. Doherty appeared in MOCKINGBIRD as Bob Ewell.

Jewell Hearon (Captain Walker in THE WHO’S TOMMY with LCT, SEUSSICAL at 7A) played the lanky James Keller, Helen’s half brother. It was great to see the current president of Goshen Players Board of Directors Lynne Wilson on the Opera House stage again as the captain’s sister Aunt Ev.

Shanelle Dupre (Mrs. Dubose in MOCKINGBIRD) was commanding as Viney, the cook for the Keller household and Brock Putnam appeared as Doctor Anagnos, the director of the Perkins Institute for the the Blind, where the 20-year-old Anne had been a student. Allison Coney played Viney’s daughter Martha and Brady McKenna was Percy. Young ladies that loved Annie included second grade student Addison Caron (as Sarah, the smallest blind girl,) Kirstin Hull, Lena Feola SantaMaria, Jillian Alena and Jaidyn Bellmay. TV celebrity Jeff Savage played the doctor who cared for Helen as an infant. Lucas Peck provided the boy’s voice that torments Annie and the crones were voiced by Jane Coughlin, Beth Steinberg and Donna Storms; sound cues and microphones were flawless at the matinee that I attended.

Rob Richnavsky provided his expertise as fight choreographer for the violent outbursts of Helen and Annie’s attempts to get her under control. Beautiful lighting design added much to the visuals on the two-level set of the Keller home designed by David Nichols. Debbie Cashman designed the costumes that were perfectly suited for the time when Helen Keller was young.

Juan Cardona, resident opera house organist, entertained us with some wonderful music before the show began. Tickets are an affordable $26.50 for adults and $23.50 for seniors and students.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.