Cal State Fullerton is opening the Tony Award-winning The Miracle Worker by William Gibson on February 19 (running through March 13) in the Hallberg Theatre on the CSUF campus. Directed by Dr. Joseph Arnold, the docudrama touches on the volatile relationship between the blind, deaf and mute Helen Keller and her teacher Annie Sullivan.
Playwright William Gibson first gained success on Broadway for his hit play Two for the Seesaw in 1958. Soon after, Gibson started writing The Miracle Worker, a teleplay based on Helen Keller and her teacher Annie Sullivan, for Playhouse 90. Gibson pulled from Keller’s autobiography The Story of My Life and a published volume of Sullivan’s letters to Keller. The teleplay was nominated for an Emmy and later adapted into a stage play. The play premiered on Broadway at the Playhouse Theatre in 1959 and received the Tony Award for Best Play in 1960. Gibson’s other works include Dinny and the Witches, A Season in Heaven and Golda’s Balcony.
Director Joseph Arnold received his Ph.D. at the University of Illinois and has worked nationally as an accomplished director, actor and playwright. Dr. Arnold’s work includes reviewing for Art Week, editing books by Broadway Director Jose Quintero and co-founding the Playwright-in-Residence program for the California State University Summer Arts' Theatre Project with Edward Albee and Arthur Kopit. Some of his other CSUF directing credits include productions of The Manager and Grasmere, both performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
The cast of The Miracle Worker includes Victoria Sasso as Annie, Siena Marilyn Ledger as Helen, Joshua Johnson as Keller, Karina Pennett as Kate, Eric Steven Flores as James, Adrian A. Marquez as Doctor, Allie Revelino as Aunt Ev, Adaeze Emeahara as Viney, Jeremy Mercado as Anagnos, Scout Lepore as Martha, Danielle Johnson as Pamela/Jimmie, Hannah Conner as Blind Girl,
Kelsey Ikemiya as Blind Girl, Olivia Tewksbury as Blind Girl and Joanna Weingartner as Blind Girl.
Scenic Design is by Yui Suzuki, Lighting Design is by Max Lippman, Costume Design is by Jane Baek, Sound Design is by John Favreau and Hair/Makeup Design is by Jacqueline Audrey Davis.
The Miracle Worker plays at 8pm on February 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, March 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12 and at 2pm on February 21, 27, 28, March 5, 6, 12, 13. General admission tickets are $14 ($12 with advance Titan Discount purchase for students, seniors or with a CSUF ID). All tickets are $14 at the door. Tickets are available by calling (657) 278-3371, 11am-5pm, Monday through Friday. Online, go to www.fullerton.edu/arts/theatredance.