The Miracle Worker
at Paul VI Catholic High School

Reviewed on November 22, 2014

T.J. Gouterman
South County Secondary School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

"The words can be her eyes!" Who says there cannot be hope without sound or sight? Paul VI High School's inspiring performance of The Miracle Worker presents a young teacher with a scarred past to tutor history's most famous deaf-blind figure, Helen Keller. The play was written by William Gibson and premiered on Broadway in 1959, running for 719 performances and starring Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke.

Based on the true story of Helen Keller, it follows her youth in the 1880s in Alabama. A young, promising teacher, Annie Sullivan, is called upon to attempt to bring communication to Helen. The play follows Sullivan as she works to help Helen escape from the recesses of her mind and to open up to the vastness in front of her. However, a strict father holds Annie back from her goal due to his closed-mindedness, and leaves insurmountable pressure to her.

Isabella Whitfield vividly recreated Helen Keller with thorough commitment. The usage of her body as a ragdoll was unpredictable and effective, and the consistent use of her hands to demonstrate the character's world gave a genuine perspective of her tactile sense. Abby Rozmajzl gracefully portrayed Annie Sullivan with adult demeanor, yet innocent heart. Her conveyance of the character's motives was clear and complimented Whitfield thoroughly. Their scenes were strong whenever they shared a scene alone, as Annie and Helen showed intensity on a quiet stage.

The Keller family built character behind Helen's motives and gave wholehearted insights from them. Nathaniel Smith suitably portrayed the Captain, Helen's father, and created an entertaining polar opposite to Annie. His staunch attitude was effective, and set the tone for the difficulty of Annie's journey. As the Captain's son, Joey Arzeno gave an authentic teenage heart through James. His character was always engaged, whether it is the focus or the background, and established superb relationships with everyone marvelously. His reactions to the misguided Helen were eye-catching, and his facials made were a joy to watch.

Also notable was Maddy Whitfield who showed maturity and poise as mother Kate Keller with confidence. She wholly realized the theme of sympathy in the play, and her composure assuredly worked as a focal point. Tommy Kelleher subsequently shined as the servant amidst shifts. His enthusiasm brought to the character was stellar, and his presence was consistently captivating from every movement.

The sound led by Bridget Hone was efficient, with microphones picking up clearly on the actors and were well-timed with effects. Rozmajzl captured age appropriately with makeup, as no character felt unnatural or out-of-place, developing authenticity. The props and set created a grand scope of the Keller's' environment, and the actors used them to their advantage. Their uses were motivated and comfortable, with the props used extraordinarily in fights between Annie and Helen.

With a strikingly realistic performance of characters and setting, Paul VI's performance brought the true magic from Annie Sullivan's teaching of sign language to Helen Keller to the stage, comprehensively opening Helen's world up to all in attendance.

Sacha Cameron
Annandale High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

Helen Keller once said that "the best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched--they must be felt with the heart". Paul VI High School's production of The Miracle Worker by William Gibson certainly was visually remarkable but, more importantly, it deeply touched the hearts of the audience members.

Based on Helen Keller's autobiography entitled The Story of My Life, The Miracle Worker chronicles the life of young Helen Keller from the moment her parents realize that she is blind and deaf to her early childhood, when her life is forever changed by the appearance of Annie Sullivan, the young lady who would teach Helen language and how to "see" the world in her own way.

Helen (Isabella Whitfield) starts off as a troublesome and unruly child trapped in her own world that, with the careful tutelage of Annie Sullivan (Abigail Rozmajzl), grows to learn language and is therefore given a door to the rest of the world. Whitfield played Helen with great honesty, investment, and heart, tackling the role with skill beyond her years. Rozmajzl, meanwhile, played the indefatigable tutor with a good amount of stubbornness and spunk that was necessary to deal with the Keller family.

Some actors' accents were inconsistent or absent throughout the show, but a great many performances were commendable. Nathaniel Smith as Captain Keller portrayed the strong, closed-minded father with a beautifully rich tone and could slip into middle age with obvious ease. Smith really captured the growth of the character as he transformed from an unwavering patriarch to a more compassionate father. James Keller (Joey Arzeno) was another powerhouse in the show. His great comic timing and charisma added much-needed lightness to heavy scenes.

Paul VI Catholic High School really captured the essence of the show and made it come alive through the elaborate set, time-period costumes, well-thought-out props, and makeup. The props brought an element of realism to the show as real food and water were used liberally and dishes were broken in scuffles between Annie and Helen. The facial hair on the older men and the rough, dirty look of the Crones added nice touches and showed great attention to detail.

The show was ushered along at a quick pace which, along with the strong performances, kept the audience engaged. This was further aided by the exemplary scene shifters who kept transitions quiet and efficient. However the lighting could have utilized darkness to a greater capacity to direct the audience's attention to the important action onstage and hide some shifts.

Paul VI tackled a theatrical classic with professionalism and style, presenting a show that was moving, dramatic, and charming. Overall, the cast did an exemplary job of bringing life to this well-known and deeply-loved tale through strong, committed performances. They built up beautifully to an ending that pulled at the heartstrings and can only be described as unbelievably powerful.

Diana Witt
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com - Fairfax

"Language is to the mind more than light is to the eye". This is certainly true for the cast of Paul VI High School's Miracle Worker, as they brought the classic tale of Helen Keller and her teacher Annie Sullivan to life on stage in a moving performance.

Miracle Worker, written by William Gibson, was first performed in 1959. It is based on the famous autobiography of Helen Keller, Story of My Life. Miracle Worker was later made in to a film in 1962 starring Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke.

Born in 1880 in Tuscumbia, Alabama, Helen Keller is a typical happy infant until a fever leaves her blind, deaf, and mute. During her early years, Helen's parents, Kate and Captain Arthur, indulge her every whim out of pity. Helen becomes out of control, lashing out at her family in fits of rage. The Keller's last chance of correcting Helen's behavior is to hire Annie Sullivan, a governess and teacher for Helen. Anne Sullivan comes to Alabama to tutor Helen, fix her behavior problems, and give her the tools to comprehend words and communicate. It is a battle of wills as Annie and Helen embark on the journey of learning to understand and love each other.

Isabella Whitfield embodied the unruly young Helen. Whitfield gave an outstanding and realistic portrayal through her shrill screams and wild body movement. Her understanding of the character allowed the audience to believe in her inability to see, hear, or talk. Whitfield's commitment to her role brought intensity to the show. She displayed theatrical excellence while capturing Helen's anger, but also her innocence.

Abigail Rozmajzl played Annie Sullivan, Helen's tutor and governess. Rozmajzl showed the great depth of Annie, through her knowledge of the text. Rozmajzl brought tears and joy to the audience in a poignant performance. Mr. and Mrs. Keller, played by Nathaniel Smith and Madelene Whitfield, presented strong relationships with each other and with Helen. Whitfield brought Mrs. Keller to life with a charming southern accent and a pleasant demeanor. Smith portrayed the harsh Mr. Keller, an uptight and rude captain. Smith displayed Mr.Keller as a dynamic character, presenting him as tough, but later showing a softer side.

The actors performed on a beautifully crafted set of the Keller home. The décor and furnishings fit well with the setting of the play and created the atmosphere of the quaint country home. A working water pump brought realism to the show and was quite impressive. Music pieces and sound effects set the ambiance of the Alabama town. Well-choreographed fight scenes left the audience speechless. Props (Ally Kraft), like real food, plates, and glasses, were used during the fight scenes and were planned appropriately. The plates and glasses were made to be broken, and the props team insured that new props were interchanged. The props were very detailed and added a new flavor to the show.

The cast and crew of Miracle Worker did a remarkable job in telling Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan's timeless story in a way that was raw and interesting. Their touching play inspired the audience and there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

Lily Brock
Langley High School
Submitted for publication to Insidenova - Sun Gazette

"Giving up" was Annie Sullivan's "idea of the original sin." She would neither be hindered by disability, halted by loss, nor thwarted by higher opposition. She expected likewise from her student: the deaf and mute Helen Keller. The cast and crew of Paul VI's rendition of "The Miracle Worker" shared the remarkable collision of two even more remarkable young women with commendable care and comprehension.

First debuting in 1957, "The Miracle Worker" by William Gibson Based on real events, this piece recounts the efforts of Annie Sullivan to educate her blind and deaf pupil, Helen Keller in the late 19th century. The play itself not only examines the volatile, yet fruitful relationship between Sullivan and Keller, but also highlights societal fetters of the time period such as gender, region of origin, and the overall treatment of the disabled.

Isabella Whitfield was tasked with the feat of portraying the ocean of sentiment of a character lacking the ability to hear, see, and speak; the result: a sublimely raw and leveled performance. Immersing herself in the character, Whitfield conveyed what words could not with mournful, guttural howls and perpetual motion. Whitfield's range between the nuanced and overt demonstrated a comprehension of the character's plight so oft neglected in portrayals of the disabled. In the title role of Annie Sullivan, Abigail Rozmajzl aptly encapsulated a stalwart young woman ahead of her time. Meshing well with Whitfield's Keller, the zenith of the production arrived in the physical struggles between Keller and Sullivan. With mashed potatoes, water, and furniture in flight, the two were fearless in their frustrated combat as Rozmajzl struggled to restrain and teach a thrashing, shrieking Whitfield.

Nathaniel Smith portrayed Keller's father, the Captain, with a force. As a former Confederate captain, Smith represented the common views of the period and region; however, providing dimensionality through his compassion towards his daughter and eventual acceptance of his son. Joey Arzeno turned in a charismatic performance as James Keller, demonstrating range as the Captain's embittered familial opponent.

In such a period production as this, key props not only served to accentuate aesthetic setting, but were also featured as prominent plot points. The water pump, with which Helen first grasps the meaning of words, spouted water upon the stage. The movement of set pieces was nicely woven into the story as crew members entered and exited entirely in character and costume.

Ultimately, the conspicuous dedication and efforts of the cast and crew underlined the overall theme of reward through exertion. As Helen and Annie both prevail over the adversity they faced through tireless trial, the work done by Paul VI yielded a product of notable merit, characterized by its heart and warmth.

Alison Sall
South County Secondary School
Submitted for publication to The Catholic Herald

Close your eyes, now cover your ears. Could you imagine living like this; with no sight or sound? Paul the VI Players present The Miracle Worker, the emotional story of Helen Keller and her teacher Annie Sullivan. Throughout this play, by William Gibson, Annie attempts to teach Helen language and the power of words; while, she is haunted by her past and the death of her younger brother Jimmie.

Annie Sullivan, portrayed by Abigail Rozmajzl, truly portrayed the emotion that Annie needed to have. Rozmajzl had a strong relationship with Helen Keller, portrayed by Isabella Whitfield. Whitfield and Rozmajzl worked very well together. Whitfield used vocalization and movement effectively and gave new energy to the role of Helen. Meanwhile, Rozmajzl brought an innocence and freshness to the role.

The Keller family had very diverse, different characters and dynamic relationships. Captain Keller, a strong-headed, former military man and complicated father figure was portrayed by Nathaniel Smith. Smith had a strong stage presence and a loud, articulate voice with crisp body language. Contrasting to the Captain, Kate Keller was portrayed by Madelene Whitfield. Whitfield had undeniable chemistry and a strong relationship with Helen. Her quiet and soft voice highlighted the kindness and motherly instinct of her character. James, Captain Keller's son, was portrayed Joey Arzeno. Arzeno had impeccable comedic timing and full understanding of his character. He encompassed James' personality in his serious moments and comedic ones. In addition, the development of his character was clear.

The three crones, on-stage figures, were incredibly interesting and unique, albeit quiet. The blind girls were absolutely adorable and became representations of innocence and sweetness. The servants also doubled as stage crew and were effectively used; led by Kaitlin Jahn, whom portrayed Viney, and Tommy Kelleher, an old man and surprising stand out. The servants remained in character the entirety of the show without drawing too much attention.

The stage crew were effective. They utilized actors to move the set pieces and they did so in character and quietly. Despite some intermittent static, the sound team handled the plethora of microphones very well. The sound effects were period and moved the play along, especially during transitions. The lighting team expertly used color to direct focus, they also utilized the color and shape of the follow spot to their advantage. Though the lights sometimes took focus away from the real action, the colors gave definition to the faces of the actors. The make-up gave age to very young people and beards to the beardless. The make-up on the three crones was especially good and matched their old and weathered voices perfectly. The props were well handled. Most of them were period and really portrayed the age of Helen Keller.

Overall, The PVI Players handled The Miracle Worker well, effortlessly portraying the emotions of the show and "just one miracle."

Tyler Larkworthy
Langley High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

"Helen, the chick has to come out of its shell sometime…you come out too!" For Helen Keller, life was a black void of ignorance. Almost sealed off from the outside world, pampered by her parents, she understood only desire and reward. And then one day, she encountered a new woman—a stubborn woman with dark glasses—a woman who, once blind herself, nevertheless had the vision to know exactly what Helen needed: language. Annie Sullivan would change Helen Keller's life forever. Paul VI Catholic High School told her incredible story in The Miracle Worker.

Written by William Gibson, The Miracle Worker premiered on Broadway in 1959 and enjoyed a revival in 2010, receiving critical praise. It was also adapted into a 1962 film. The play follows the early life of Helen Keller, who has been deaf and blind since infancy, and as a result is completely nonverbal. Helen's parents, the traditional patriarch Captain and his softer wife Kate, have spoiled Helen, allowing her to take over the household with her tantrums. After years of chaos, Captain and Kate contact the Perkins School for the Blind to find a governess and teacher for Helen. Annie Sullivan arrives by train a few days later. Shocked by Helen's lack of manners, Annie resolves to teach her to obey—and to understand language. Despite incredible struggle, after two weeks alone with Annie, Helen experiences a breakthrough when she comes to recognize that the word "water" she can spell with her hand corresponds to the actual water she touches.

Even with no spoken lines, Isabella Whitfield brought incredible depth to Helen Keller. Immersive and realistic, her frightening tantrums and sudden transformation revealed solid commitment. Opposite her, Abigail Rozmajzl embodied the stubborn Annie Sullivan. From her first encounter with Helen, Rozmajzl established the monumental difficulty of her task and her inner conflict over her dead brother Jimmie. Whitfield and Rozmjzal cleanly executed numerous difficult fight scenes, further enhancing their engaging performances.

As Captain Keller, Nathaniel Smith boasted an imposing stage presence and stoic expression. His fierce demeanor contrasted perfectly with the more gentle nature of Kate (Madelene Whitfield). Meanwhile, Joey Arzeno created a volatile relationship within the family as James. Arzeno captured the pained obstinacy of his character, adding both valuable comic quips and explosive moments of frustration.

While some scenes could have been more poignant in a darker setting, overall lighting clarified scene transitions and greatly strengthened the show's emotional atmosphere. Make-up, which included life-like mustache and goatee pieces, tooth blackening and diseased eye shadow for the decrepit crones, and subtle age lines for several characters, allowed actors to come to life on stage. An ensemble of costumed servants served as the show's tech crew, creating nuanced characters, including a memorable senile old man (Tommy Kelleher), while moving set pieces safely and quickly.

"When we do the best that we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another." Paul VI Catholic High School certainly fulfilled Helen Keller's words in their near miraculous production, bringing many in the audience to tears.

Arushi Gupta
Dominion High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

History may remember Helen Keller as the inspiring deaf-blind author and lecturer, but Paul VI Catholic High School's rendition of The Miracle Worker reminds history of the wild, mute, and illiterate child Helen for whom tantrums were a manner of communicating. Paul VI tells the story of her moving transformation into the figure who was remembered for her gift of language, led by a teacher who resolved to give Helen access to the world with the key of words.

Based on Helen Keller's autobiography, The Story of My Life, the three-act play tells the story of young Helen, a spoiled, almost feral child who is deaf and blind since birth and consequently mute, unable to communicate with her family other than by throwing violent tantrums until she receives what she wants. Her desperate family calls the governess and teacher Annie Sullivan to help Helen.

Isabella Whitfield put forth an extraordinarily convincing portrayal of a deaf-blind child, in a way that showed the true gruesomeness of her behavior rather than attracting pity. Abigail Rozmajzl played a powerful Annie Sullivan, skillfully creating her relationship with Whitfield's character, as well as with the family. The strength of the play came from the relationship of these two leads and their scenes together – the actresses had an incredible chemistry that shone through most when the willful and stubborn women fought, as Annie Sullivan tried to control the wild and spoiled Helen – the most powerful scene in the play was that in which Annie and Helen had an all-out fight in the kitchen as Annie taught Helen to sit down at the kitchen table and eat with utensils. Their electrifying performances depicted with raw intensity the sheer humanity of their characters and their relationship.

The dynamics of Helen's family were well portrayed by the actors, and their stakes in Helen's life were made very clear. Madelene Whitfield's love and concern for Helen in her character of Kate Keller, Helen's mother, was obvious. Joey Arzeno provided the necessary comic relief of the heavy play in his role as James Keller, Helen's half-brother. Some noticeable featured performances included Kaitlin Jahn as Viney, the servant.

The technical work was well-done, on the whole, and worked easily into the play. The set was appropriately furnished with props that reflected the time setting of the play. The constantly prepared food for use as a prop was also subtle yet very important in creating the realism of the play. The aging of the characters and fake beards were convincing. The stage crew was excellent, not only costumed as servants but remaining in character as they moved set pieces.

The moving performances of Paul VI Catholic High School's rendition of The Miracle Worker brought the real story of Helen Keller to life for the audience, with an ending that brought the light of language to Helen and brought tears to the audience's eyes, with a teacher-student relationship that brought life back to a soul.

Katelyn Sparks
South County Secondary School
Submitted for publication to Panther Press

Everyone knows Helen Keller as an inspirational historical icon, remembered for overcoming her disabilities and touching many lives with her innovative mindset and resilient nature. However, many people are unaware of how she grew to know language, and in turn the ability to reach people. The arduous yet heartwarming journey of Helen Keller's spectacular discovery of communication was encapsulated for audiences in Paul VI High School's The Miracle Worker.

Written by William Gibson, The Miracle Worker is the true, albeit dramatized, story of Helen Keller's life changing breakthrough to the world of language. Set in late 1800s Alabama, the play opens on Keller at age 6. Declared deaf and blind as an infant, she has no way of communicating with others, and throws tantrums to get what she needs. Enter Annie Sullivan, a young governess from Boston who is resigned to teach Helen that things have names—and the rocky path towards understanding begins. Featuring Anne Bancroft as Annie Sullivan and Patty Duke as Helen Keller, the original play opened on Broadway in 1959, and was later made into a movie with Bancroft and Duke reprising the lead roles.

Paul VI's production of The Miracle Worker highlighted many strengths within the cast; notable points included complex familial relationships and committed, honest portrayal of the characters, especially in the most jarring scenes. Although some accents were spotty at times, the cast gave a potent representation of the proper, convoluted nature of the Civil War era South.

The show featured a clear, developed relationship between Annie Sullivan (Abby Rozmajzl) and Helen Keller (Isabella Whitfield). Whitfield captured the undisciplined, almost primal disposition of blind, deaf Keller—no small feat for a high school show. The contrast between Rozmajzl's refined portrayal of Sullivan and Whitfield's untamed Keller contributed to the dynamic connection between the characters and overall sincerity of the performance.

Although the production featured a cast with multiple supporting and featured roles, there were a few clear standouts. James Keller (Joey Arzeno) was a crowd favorite, with his seemingly effortless portrayal of Helen's scorned, witty half brother. However, his conveyance of the darker parts of the character—the sentiment that he was disrespected and neglected by his father—was what made the character truly poignant. Captain Keller (Nathaniel Smith) was believably authoritative with his truthful depiction of the late 1800s, slightly prejudiced Southern man. Together, the two did an admirable job establishing the damaged father-son relationship and allowing it to progress for the duration of the performance.

The plot was enhanced by several technical elements. Set changes, done by a fully costumed, in-character ensemble of house servants, were swift and efficient. Makeup also contributed to the comprehensive honesty of the piece, with expertly applied facial hair and age makeup for characters that needed it.

Overall, Paul VI's The Miracle Worker was a production that resonated. Tangible characters and a resolute undertaking of challenging content left audiences both moved and enlightened.