The Westport Community Theatre Announces 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 Friday, November 27 through Sunday, December 13. Keller, deaf, blind and mute as a child, eventually achieved many notable accomplishments as author, political activist and lecturer. She lived the latter part of her life in Easton, CT, near the Westport town line. Seasoned director, Richard Mancini directs the WCT production, a triumphant story of the human spirit written by William Gibson.

“Profoundly moving” is how the New York Times described the play, which portrays the touching evolution of a life-changing breakthrough for the young Helen Keller. “We are excited to produce this family-oriented show during the holidays,” said Mancini. “Audiences will be inspired by this powerful story that tugs at one’s heartstrings.”

The play premiered on Broadway in 1959 with Patty Duke as Helen Keller and Anne Bancroft as Annie Sullivan. It won the Tony Award for Best Play and was later made into a film adaptation in 1962. The Westport Community Theatre production stars two young actresses in the production that deliver compelling performances as Keller and Sullivan. Emma LaPlace from Fairfield plays the young Annie Sullivan while Nora Watson, a fourth grader from Stratford stars as Helen Keller.

Emma LaPlace, a senior at Fairfield Ludlow High School, has performed in Rabbit Hole and Arcadia with WCT and is a member of Downtown Cabaret Theatre’s Main Stage/Children’s Companies and Fairfield Teen Theatre. Nora Watson, a student of dance and voice, is making her debut at WCT. She has enjoyed roles in Oliver, Annie, A Christmas Carol and Gypsy.

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, The Women, Orson’s Shadow, Born Yesterday, Broadway Bound, Design for Living, The Man Who Came to Dinner and Lost in Yonkers. Mancini has also directed many shows at other area theatres including Curtain Call, Wilton Playshop, Eastbound Theatre, Town Players of New Canaan and the Darien Arts Center.

Produced by arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. the WCT cast also includes Erica Evelti, Glenn Ghirardi, Tondrea Mabins, Sam Mink, Elayne Mordoff, John Pyron, and Dene Whitaker. Ann Baker is stage manager.

The Miracle Worker 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.