Teaching the alphabet: Double cast as Annie are (far left) Abby Rozmajzl and (far right) Sarah Giuseppe, with (in middle, from left) Isabella Whitfield and Meghan Kelly as Helen Keller. Photo by Bonnie Hobbs.
Based on the true story of Helen Keller, Paul VI High presents “The Miracle Worker.” It features a cast and crew of 60 and is the school’s Cappies play.
The play’s double cast, and Director Kathy d’Alelio says Isabella Whitfield and Meghan Kelly, the actresses portraying Keller, adapted to “blindness.” To prepare, they practiced eating and walking with their eyes closed and speaking to people without looking at them directly. And, added d’Alelio, “They can’t be distracted by noises, either, because Helen was also deaf.”
As a toddler in 1880s Alabama, Keller contracted an illness that left her blind and deaf, and she became furious when she couldn’t tell people what she wanted and they couldn’t tell her. So her parents hire a teacher, Annie Sullivan, who’d once been blind, herself, to teach Keller how to get along in the world.
“Annie’s tenacity teaches Helen not to give up,” said d’Alelio. “And I hope the audience will see what amazing women they were and be moved and inspired by them.”
Whitfield, a junior, described Keller as an exceptionally bright child who’s trapped because of her disabilities. “She has so much to say and wants to communicate, and she gets really frustrated when people can’t understand her, so she throws huge temper tantrums,” said Whitfield. “She’s also a spoiled brat who’s never been told ‘no,’ so that makes it harder for Annie to teach her.”
“She’s fun to play because of her tantrums – especially a breakfast battle where she spits eggs at Annie and Annie throws water on her,” continued Whitfield. “And my sisters Maddy and Gloria are in this play, too, so I get to work with my family. This show demonstrates what people who are deaf and blind go through and that they just want to be like everyone else.”
Portraying Sullivan is senior Sarah Giuseppe. “Annie’s a survivor, strong and stubborn, but with a sense of humor,” said Giuseppe. “She doesn’t let anyone see her insecurities, and she doesn’t want to love Helen because she’s been hurt before. Annie’s such a complex, challenging character to sink your teeth into, and everything she says is meaningful.”
“People remember a few moments of a show, and this one has so many that’ll break your heart, shock you, transport you somewhere else and even make you laugh,” continued Giuseppe. “It’s the story of a miracle – taking a deaf/blind child and teaching her how to understand the world.”
Senior Luke Knodt plays Capt. Arthur Keller, Helen’s father. “He’s stern, likes things to be in order and doesn’t show much emotion, except anger – especially at his son James, who can never meet his dad’s expectations,” said Knodt. “I’m not an angry person, but I’m enjoying this role because my character often causes conflict in his home.”
Playing Helen’s mother, Kate Keller, is senior Maddy Whitfield. “She knows what she wants and how to get it, but with the grace and charm of a southern lady,” said Whitfield. “She’s loving and caring and desperately wants peace in her household. I’ve usually played rebels, so I like the challenge of playing someone calm and together.”
Since Paul VI usually does comedies, Whitfield said the audience will enjoy the change of pace. And, she said, “They’ll be able to relate to overcoming obstacles and odds against them.”
SHOW TIMES are Thursday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, Nov. 21-22, at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 23, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10, adults; and $5, students and senior citizens, at the door or via www.PaulVI.net. (Thursday and Sunday tickets are two for one).