'Miracle Worker' Shines At Bay Street - 27 East

Arts & Living

Arts & Living / 1370847

'Miracle Worker' Shines At Bay Street

icon 1 Photo

author on Nov 15, 2010

There are many moving moments in serious American theater but few descend so directly to the heart and produce such a combination of joy, fulfillment and tearful relief than the closing moments of “The Miracle Worker,” William Gibson’s incandescently realized dramatization of the fractiously glorious relationship between Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller, and its miraculous and world-shaking conclusion.

Revisiting this landmark play, even in a 90-minute condensation, is a shattering experience, particularly if it’s played well. And in the present “Literature Live!” production at Sag Harbor’s Bay Street Theatre—adapted and directed by Murphy Davis and featuring an abbreviated professional Equity cast that contains one transfixing performance—a whole generation of local students are being introduced to theater at its most powerful and persuasive. Bay Street’s project of bringing to dramatic life the works being read by high school students is both admirable and effective.

The battle royal between teacher Annie Sullivan and blind and deaf student Helen Keller has never been told with more personal involvement and sweet balance between humor and tension than in Gibson’s rightfully award-winning drama. As much about the education of its adults as its central child, the play creates a movable mirror that simultaneously reveals the steady discovery of the interior lives of its teacher and student and the exterior movement of their lessons.

And here is where the necessary—because of school scheduling—condensation presents some problems. The progression toward success in Annie Sullivan’s leading of Helen Keller out of the absolute darkness of blindness and deafness happens a little too rapidly for comfort, though audiences used to instant gratification can probably adjust to it.

But the largest casualty of compression is the character of Annie Sullivan. Her own continuing education has to be dimmed in this version. In the well-done hands and sensitivity of actress Kate Gerson, she emerges as a strong, somewhat hard-edged, if devoted, miracle worker.

The sensitivity and frustration and self discovery are there in this version, but more talked about than shown. Still, Ms. Gerson’s portrayal is a strong and valid one, and she forms a ringing role in a solid, if compacted cast.

Beryl Bernay’s character of Aunt Ev, the Southern grand dame aunt of the Keller family is given very little to do, but Ms. Bernay makes the most of it.

Peter Connolly assumes multiple personae, the most important one that of James, Helen Keller’s stepbrother by her father’s previous marriage. He’s sympathetic and convincing in his battle for identity with his overbearing and volatile father.

As Captain Keller, Helen’s newspaper editor father and the ruling royalty of this late 19th century Southern family, Ken Forman, after a rather stilted beginning, lines out, with gentle skill, the multiple layers in the man that come through only toward the end of the drama. The same path is taken by Jacqueline Murphy as Kate Keller, Helen’s mother. She begins as a stiffly-done stock Southern mother, but concludes the evening with compensatory depth.

The glowing star of the evening is 11-year-old Hampton Bays actress Lily Spellman. From her first to last instants on stage, Ms. Spellman

is

Helen Keller, to her very depths and heights. There’s not a flicker of a false movement on her face or her sometimes tentative, sometimes flailing body movements, nor is there a millisecond of lost concentration.

And the final, momentous moment of the play is handled with more insight and real manifestation than any portrayal this critic has witnessed on any stage or screen. It’s a stunning and absolutely true performance.

Murphy Davis has moved his production well and energetically around Gary Hygom’s masterfully minimal and evocative set, moodily and wisely lit by Mike Billings. This “Miracle Worker” is a satisfying, well wrought, quick look at a classic American play. It provides a fine introduction to students and a stimulating reacquaintance for adult audiences.

The Bay Street Theatre production of “The Miracle Worker” is open to all audiences. Daytime performances will be held through Friday, November 19. Evening performances will be held on Friday, November 19, and Saturday, November 20, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for children and $15 for adults. For reservations, call 725-9500 or visit baystreet.org.

You May Also Like:

National Theatre Live Productions of ‘Dr. Strangelove’ and ‘Vanya’ Screen at Guild Hall

Seven-time BAFTA Award-winner Steve Coogan plays four roles in the world premiere stage adaptation of ... 15 Mar 2025 by Staff Writer

How a Cold Murder Case Spawned a Veteran Journalist’s Debut Novel | 27Speaks Podcast

Journalist Steve Wick recently published his debut novel, "The Ruins," a gripping tale of murder, ... 13 Mar 2025 by 27Speaks

'Explore the Luminous': Quincy Egginton To Teach Watercolors in Bridgehampton

Watercolor painting is an art form that Quincy Egginton of Wainscott has honed for years. ... by Christine Sampson

Joan Baum Discusses 'Bambi's' Hidden Meaning

​This year marks the 80 since the ending of World War II and the liberation of Europe’s concentration camps. And 80 years since the little known Austro-Hungarian writer and critic Felix Salten died. Salten, born Siegmund Salzmann in Pest, Hungary, was the author of “Bambi: The Story of a Life in the Forest,” a tale first published in German in 1923, from which one of the most remarkable cinematic events of all time was made by Walt Disney in 1942. The beloved movie that has engaged youngsters and adults for decades, however, is far from the unsentimental allegory intended by ... 12 Mar 2025 by Staff Writer

Special Opening Events for ‘Eternal Testament at The Church’

In grand commemoration of The Church’s opening of its new exhibition “Eternal Testament” on Saturday, March 22, co-curators Jeremy Dennis and Meranda Roberts have created an electric series of events that will inspire, delight and inform all on the topic of the show. The run down is: 5 to 6 p.m. — Panel Discussion With Jeremy Dennis, Meranda Roberts & Denise Silva Dennis Join the show’s two co-curators on the lower studio level of The Church for a conversation with artist Denise Silva Dennis (Jeremy Dennis’s mother). The trio will dive deeper into some of the themes, intentions and inspirations ... by Staff Writer

Solar: The Cha Ching Factor

“When there’s a huge solar energy spill, it’s just called a ‘nice day’” — Anonymous ... by Jenny Noble

Marc Camoletti's Fast-Paced Farce 'Boeing Boeing' Lands at Hampton Theatre Company

The Hampton Theatre Company continues its milestone 40th season with Marc Camoletti’s high-flying comedy “Boeing ... 10 Mar 2025 by Leah Chiappino

Parrish Art Museum's 2025 Exhibition Lineup

The Parrish Art Museum has announced its 2025 schedule, featuring solo exhibitions by internationally renowned ... by Staff Writer

Get Your Slavic Groove Going

On Saturday, March 22, at 8 p.m., Hamptons Jazz Fest presents Slavic Soul Party! at ... by Staff Writer

‘Tight Lines’ Highlights Artists Who Are Inspired by the Sea

The Grenning Gallery’s new exhibition “Tight Lines,” is a group show of contemporary paintings inspired ... by Staff Writer