Miracle Worker
at Anaheim

Reviewed on May 9, 2015

Julia Gordon
San Juan Hills High School
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Anaheim's ‘Miracle Worker' delivers with poignant fervor

The beauty of life is boundless, but it can sometimes take the guidance of a mentor to unveil it.

Anaheim High School's intimate performance of "The Miracle Worker" follows the struggles of blind and deaf Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan's determination in teaching her the meaning of language and communication.

Alexia Rosa portrays the irreverent, yet curious, Helen. She conveys her frustration with a flurry of grunts, each one displaying a different nuance of emotion. Her tantrums are of epic proportion. Rosa wildly flings her arms and stamps her feet, leaving the scene in a state of havoc. Jaspe Ibarra, as Annie, intervenes and brings Helen's tantrums to an end, culminating in an emotionally tense slap fight. Ibarra's conviction shines through as she persistently teaches Helen to spell, driving her hand with force and intention with every letter she signs.

While Annie takes a more insistent approach in teaching Helen, Berlin Ballard, as Kate Keller, performs as Annie's opposite, showcasing her tender, motherly side towards Helen. As Helen grasps with impatience and desperation, Ballard responds only with gentle caresses and soft cooing as she soothes Helen.

Moses Salazar's portrayal of Captain Keller is vigorous and resolute. Pacing with broad shoulders and heavy footsteps, Salazar commands the attention of the audience and the Keller family. His forceful gesticulations punctuate his lines with intensity and urgency.

Portraying her mischievous half-brother James, Daniel Madrid is humorous and endearing. His antics are playful and amusing, while also revealing his childlike need for approval. In the final scene, Madrid defiantly stands up to his father and defends Annie and Helen, completing his emotional arc as a maturing young adult.

Vanessa Galvan, as Viney, brings a humorous, dynamic energy to the performance. Her voice booms and projects with sarcasm as she strides across stage, her hands placed firmly on her hips. Martha's (Isabella Aispuro) innocent remarks create a lighthearted atmosphere in the cozy space onstage.

The cast's make-up clearly creates a contrast in age. While older women, such as Kate, wear dark lipstick and heavy eye make-up, young Helen wears very youthful make-up, matched by her wild, frizzy hair. Captain Keller's beard is thick and realistic, giving him a strong sense of maturity.

Anaheim's "The Miracle Worker" teaches that no disability can hinder the curiosity and imagination of an individual.

Erin Bola
Fountain Valley High School
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

A moving ‘Miracle' unfolds at Anaheim High

A mother's shriek eerily fills the room as she comes to the terrifying realization that her ill infant cannot see or hear. And so begins Anaheim High School's production of "The Miracle Worker", an inspirational tale about the blind and deaf Helen Keller and the young, strong willed teacher that ultimately unlocks the girl's trapped inner voice. This touching tribute to overcoming the most daunting of disabilities is brought to life with a sincere cast of characters in a truly intimate setting.

Alexia Rosa is the afflicted Helen Keller, whose outrageous behavior and temper tantrums have driven her family to the brink of insanity. Rosa perfectly embodies the girl without vision or hearing with her blank stare, frantic crawling, and outstretched arms as she desperately searches for any communication or information via touch. Her continual grunting and screaming also help to paint the portrait of a girl longing for liberation from the silent, dark world that holds her captive.

As the persistent and determined teacher Annie Sullivan, Jaspe Ibarra remains strong and resilient throughout the entire show, as she struggles to teach Helen the invaluable skill of language. Her stubbornness is an equal match for her pupil's own, especially seen when they are reduced to ferociously wrestling each other on the kitchen floor in an attempt to teach Helen table manners.

Moses Salazar as the sturdy and authoritative Captain Keller is an especially convincing father figure with his strong, unwavering voice and solid stance. His tough stature is balanced out by his soft and compassionate wife Kate, portrayed by Berlin Ballard. Ballard's own voice is impeccable with her clear enunciation and Southern accent, which aides in revealing her character's sincere and warmhearted nature.

The lighting design by Marlene Sanchez highlights Annie's intense flashbacks to her own asylum stay by bathing the stage in stark red and green lights. Hair and Makeup by Alejandra Tafoya, Jackie Rivas, Marlene Sanchez, and Cindy Estrada illustrate the age and personality of each character, most notably seen with Captain Keller's beard, Helen's wild uncombed hair, and Kate's elaborately curled updo.

Anaheim High School delivers strong performances in their thought-provoking production of "The Miracle Worker", and their undeniable message, even those afflicted by the most debilitating disabilities can accomplish anything, continues to ring true long after their final bows.

Emerson Taylor
SOCSA Dana Hills
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Anaheim opens eyes with ‘Miracle Worker'

In her adult life, Helen Keller inspired millions with powerful speeches; she spoke of optimism in the face of adversity and advocated for those with disabilities saying "alone we can do so little; together we can do so much". Anaheim presents Helen when she was still a blind, deaf, and dumb child with no means of communication in "The Miracle Worker". However, through Annie Sullivan's strict teachings Helen receives language which opens up her otherwise black world.

As Helen, Alexia Rosa presents excellent focus without showing awareness to any visual or auditory stimuli, always shuffling her feet with hands in front of her. Rosa remains engaged in her own story and in these silent moments it is clear how she is feeling and how she is making sense of the situation, bringing great depth to the character.

Jaspe Ibarra gives defiant strength to Annie Sullivan with her firm voice as she struggles to reach Helen. Her solid movements and raised eyebrow show her self- confidence while a soft peck on Helen's forehead reveals her deeper sensitivity.

In one pivotal moment, Sullivan is attempting to teach Helen table manners and she stubbornly resists, throwing her body across the table with an impertinent grunt forcing Sullivan to grasp her by the wrist to return her to her seat. Throughout the skirmish, both performers offer equal resilience in a well- executed feat of organized chaos.

Berlin Ballard (Kate Keller) uses her soft yet deliberate speaking voice to emphasize motherly gentleness while her perfect posture adds maturity. Moses Salazar as Captain Keller, Helen's father, juxtaposes Ballard's calmness with his booming voice as he exerts himself as patriarch.

Viney played by Vanessa Galvin provides comic relief to the performance; her shrieking commands spoken in a thick Southern accent help her embody an overworked servant.

Hair and makeup designed by Alejandra Tafoya, Jackie Rivas, Cindy Estrada, and Marlene Sanchez contribute to the poise or lack thereof of every character. Helen features a tangled mane prior to Ms. Sullivan's teachings and after becoming more mild-mannered, her hair is arranged in ringlets tied back in a pink ribbon. Kate Keller's hair is arranged in a complicated up-do that reflects her elegant persona.

Through the actors' efforts, Anaheim reminds audiences of the miraculous teachings of Annie Sullivan as she brought light into Helen's life.