Local Talent in Westport Community Theatre Production of The Miracle Worker

The Westport Community Theatre is proudly presenting The Miracle Worker, a Tony Award-winner for Best Play and the dramatic story of a young Helen Keller, on weekends from November 27 through December 13. Keller, deaf, blind and mute as a child, eventually achieved notable accomplishments as author, political activist and lecturer, and lived the latter part of her life in Easton, CT, near the Westport town line. Glenn Ghirardi, Sam Mink and Elayne Mordoff from Norwalk are cast in this triumphant story of the human spirit.

“Profoundly moving” is how the New York Times described the play, which portrays the evolution of a life-changing breakthrough for the young Helen Keller. The Miracle Worker was written by William Gibson and premiered on Broadway in 1959 with Patty Duke as Helen Keller and Anne Bancroft as her teacher, Annie Sullivan. “We are excited to produce this family-oriented show during the holidays,” said director of the WCT production, Richard Mancini. “Audiences will be inspired by this powerful story that tugs at one’s heartstrings.”

Glenn Ghirardi plays the ever-intriguing and fun James Keller in the show. Ghirardi graduated from the Meisner Technique training program at The William Esper Studio and has also portrayed Daniel Kaffee in A Few Good Men with the Bridgeport Theatre Company, Spike in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike with the Carriage House Arts Center/Wilton Playshop, and Clifford Anderson in Deathtrap with the Two Planks Theatre.

Sam Mink has been involved in multiple shows at WCT for over 40 years, including the recent Bill Meyer Scholarship reading of Our Town, The Crucible, Nine and Glengarry Glen Ross. He plays Captain Keller in The Miracle Worker.

Elayne Mordoff as Aunt Ev, is returning to Westport where she has appeared as Mrs. Rogers in And Then There Were None and as Rebecca Nurse in the acclaimed production of The Crucible. At Curtain Call, she was seen as Mrs. Kirby in You Can’t Take It With You and for The Town Players of New Canaan she played Pearl in The Prisoner of Second Avenue.

Richard Mancini returns to WCT after directing last season’s It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, and previously The Crucible, The Woman In Black, and Broadway Bound among many others. He has also directed at Curtain Call, Wilton Playshop, Eastbound Theatre, Town Players of New Canaan and the Darien Arts Center. His WTC cast also includes John Pyron, Emma LaPlace, Nora Watson, Erica Evelti, Tondrea Mabins, and Dene Whitaker. Ann Baker is stage manager.

The Miracle Worker is produced by arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. Performances are from November 27 through December 13, on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and at 2:00 p.m. on Sundays, with a Thursday performance on December 3 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $23, $21 for seniors and students, and can be purchased at westportcommunitytheatre.com or by calling (203) 226-1983. Westport Community Theatre is located at 110 Myrtle Avenue in Westport.

Pictured: Sam Mink, Erica Evelti, Elayne Mordoff, Nora Watson and Glenn Ghirardi in the WCT production of The Miracle Worker.