The Miracle Worker
at Potomac Falls High School

Reviewed on February 24, 2023

Miya Livingston
Dominion High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 1

"Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much." Famously written by author, educator, and disability rights advocate Helen Keller, these pearls of wisdom embody an inspirational story of overcoming the hardships associated with life as a person with disabilities through courage and resolve--as did the recent production of "The Miracle Worker" by Potomac Falls High School in Potomac Falls, VA.

Originally written as a 1957 teleplay, William Gibson's biographical script recounts the rocky beginnings of the relationship between a young Helen Keller, who became blind and deaf as a result of illness at two years old, and her determined governess Anne "Annie" Sullivan, hired by the Kellers in a final effort to bridge the growing communicative and emotional gap between them and their daughter. Persevering through weeks of patience, confrontation, and compromise, Annie eventually succeeds in connecting with Helen and conveying the meaning of words through sign language. After a two-year run on Broadway from 1959 to 1961, "The Miracle Worker" cemented Helen Keller's impactful legacy through the global success of its 1962 film adaptation, forever changing the perception of people with disabilities all over the world.

Helen Keller (Lauren Quick) was expertly portrayed with a fine balance of sensitivity and candor--in the absence of dialogue, Quick went above and beyond in conveying the six-year-old Helen's recalcitrance and frustration through vibrant facial expressions and energized movements. The unwavering emotional and physical tenacity of Annie Sullivan (Natalie Brown) were equally evident through Brown's excellent acting choices, including furrowed brows and stern composition. Perhaps most impressive of all, however, was the intensity of emotion in the turbulent interactions between Helen and Annie: escalating from spoon-throwing to water-splashing and face-slapping, Quick and Brown demonstrated full commitment to the war of wits between their characters.

The emotional production was enhanced by a strong supporting cast--Helen's mother Kate (Lauren Ignazzitto), father Captain Keller (Charles Fisher), and stepbrother James (Katie Gross) each uniquely depicted their roles within the divided family: Kate through motherly affection and hope, the Captain through constant doubt and exasperation, and James through cynical observation. Featured characters such as Annie's deceased brother Jimmie (Landon Ulrich) and students at the Perkins School for the Blind likewise left a memorable impression through their devotion to their roles.

Immersing the audience in the Gilded Age South were a series of judicious choices by Potomac Falls Drama's technical crews. Against a minimalistic backdrop created by the elevated, open-front Keller home, red-blue color coordination combined with age-specific styling established complementary distinctions across the cast whilst remaining faithful to the era's trends. While props (Avery Ebert, Joseph Ernest, and Kylie Lewandowski) such as Helen's cloth doll and Annie's glasses added complexity to the characters' evolutions, expertly timed spotlighting, combined with effective stage management, skillfully brought emphasis to the most emotionally charged moments of the play--most notably the climactic scene in which running water from the center-stage water pump finally allows Helen to make the connection between the signed words Annie teaches and the concepts they represent.

A timeless story that has struck a chord with generations old and new, "The Miracle Worker" was given a new life under the student direction of Tony Marshak and Austin Taylor at Potomac Falls High School this February. Demonstrating outstanding maturity and passion for their craft, the Potomac Falls actors and crew curated an authentic, impactful rendition that not only depicted the play's themes of perseverance and acceptance, but embodied them as well.

Kalindi Vyas
Dominion High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News2

Helen Keller is the woman who proved to the world that disabilities can't get in the way of success. Before she was an inspiring woman, Helen was an unruly, misunderstood child who couldn't communicate with anyone until Annie Sullivan showed her how. The unimaginable reality of living in a dark and soundless world and finally learning to communicate came to life in "The Miracle Worker" performed by Potomac Falls High School.

Before the story even starts, the audience is introduced to a stunning set created by Kara Adamson, Sophia Castillo, Hali Moe, and Konduaba Esi-Quansah. Helen Keller's house is beautifully made with two levels. One is a dining area and above it is a bedroom. Each area of the set is distinguishable. There is never any confusion as to where an actor is performing.

Lauren Ignazzitto as Kate, the ever hopeful mother, is astounding. Ignazzitto's maturity in both voice and a well kept poised posture established Ignazzitto's research of women of the time period. Ignazzitto portrays Kate with such sincerity. Every time Kate cries out for Helen, Ignazzitto's eyes chill the audience to the bone. There is something in Ignazzitto's eyes that so perfectly depicts the turmoil between a mother's unconditional love and a desire to better her child.

Playing Kate's child, the historical figurehead Helen Keller is Lauren Reese Quick. Portraying a character with disabilities while not having ever faced them is a remarkable feat and Quick is up to the challenge. Quick takes up the stage without saying a word, through stunning body language. This compliment not only goes to Quick but the Blind Girls ensemble as well. Not once during the scene they looked at who was speaking.

Helen's silent cries for her mother are echoed with the loud cries of Jimmy for his sister, Annie. Landon Ulrich, Jimmy, stayed in character every moment. Not once was Jimmy's limp lost even while exiting the stage and proper use was made of the cane Ulrich held.

There were many such props that enhanced the stage. The actors had quite a few meals on stage and it was real food. The prop team went above and beyond to actually cook food for their cast. The prop team consisting of Avery Ebert, Joseph Ernest, and Kylie Lewandowski also had to keep track of the many breakfast utensils that would often get thrown around on stage. However, the beauty of props depends on how the actors use them.

Helen and Annie's use of props was especially spectacular in the breakfast scene towards the end of Act 1 and highlighted the duo's chemistry. Natalie Brown, as Annie Sullivan, is trying to control Quick's temper tantrum. An uncountable number of utensils are being flung off of the table and chairs are being knocked over. The beautiful aggression and harmonious chaos made the fight incredibly realistic. The chemistry between these actors blew the audience away.

The cast and crew of "The Miracle Worker" at Potomac Falls High School depict such different kinds of love beautifully, whether it be tough love or tender love. As the lights fade, Annie admits she loves Helen even though the job was originally just for money. Annie realizes she needs Helen as much as Helen needs her.

Olivia McMahon
Rock Ridge High School
Submitted for publication to Blue Ridge Leader

Darkness engulfed the stage. A feeling of nothingness consumed the audience. The only light, a small, dimly lit candle on the stage--the only beacon of hope.

Potomac Falls' "The Miracle Worker" tells the true story of a young Helen Keller's journey to language. Deaf and blind, Helen is trapped in a quiet, lonely world with only her mother's touch and the occasional tea cake for comfort. It isn't until her family sends for a new caretaker that anyone sees her for the bright and capable child that she is. Annie Sullivan, once blind and now top of her class, is determined to teach Helen not just simple manners, but to do the extraordinary: communicate. Annie's extensive teaching bonds the two in scenes of intense emotional and physical struggle. As the family's accommodation towards Annie runs thin, Helen finally breaks through by connecting the running water she feels on her face to the letters spelt out on her hands.

Writer William Gibson's Tony Award winning play has been a beloved piece since it first premiered on Broadway in the Playhouse Theatre in 1959. The story received instant popularity from both the press and public and was quickly adapted to film. Actresses Patty Duke and Anne Bancroft immortalized the roles on screen of Helen and Annie respectively in 1962. Today, the play continues to circuit in regional, community, and school theatre for its message of perseverance and hope. Featuring a cast of powerful actors and emotional realism, Potomac Falls Drama portrayed the revered script with depth and grace.

Annie Sullivan (Natalie Brown) commands the stage with beautiful sincerity. The maturity in her voice combined with the stiffness in her spine, frozen straight from years of struggle, rightfully demands the attention her portrayal deserves. Brown does not cower from moments of silence, she embraces and holds the scene with care. Her tongue-in-cheek comedy provides moments of relief between the fierce interactions with both Helen and visions of her little brother. Sharing the stage, Helen Keller ( Lauren Reese Quick) contrasts Annie through the wonderful simplicity of youth. Quick's performance is raw and pure. Without the use of dialogue, Quick conveys powerful emotion through physicality and expression. She respectfully shows the struggles of such a difficult life with a clear understanding of its impact.

Also notable is Jimmie Sullivan (Landon Ulrich), Annie's brother and figment of her eerie imagination. With a truly haunting narrative, Ulrich delivers the sorrow of Annie's past and the pain she carries on her back. His ghostly presence is a testament to broken hopes and promises.

In the background, Potomac Falls remains committed to the world of the piece by using costumed actors for all scene transitions. An ensemble of servants is a reminder of the privilege of the family and the resources they possess. This cast carries the knowledge of the story's importance at all times.

Behind the scenes, the extensive, student driven technical design and production team brilliantly executed the world of the Kellers. The lighting team (Emma Murray, Daniel Prothe, Aimee Wakefield) flushes the stage in an ocean of blue, symbolizing the sadness and drowning of Annie and Helen. The timing of this show with all its silence and moments of anguish must be perfectly timed. Luckily, stage management (Saha Banaii, Lily Rossi) show admirable organization and keep the flow of the ocean's waves through numerous light, sound, and scene cues.

Potomac Falls High School captures the story with impactful description. With water rushing over Helen's hands, there was finally hope.

Emma Marfia
Tuscarora High School
Submitted for publication to Loudoun Now

Overcoming hardship, building relationships, tense family dynamics. Potomac Falls brings to life a beautiful story depicting the hardships of Helen Keller and her teacher Annie Sullivan through their fantastic production of The Miracle Worker.

Originally a teleplay written and adapted by William Gibson, The Miracle Worker tells the life story of inspiration Helen Keller and her teacher Annie Sullivan. After opening in 1959 at the New York City playhouse, the show received five Tony nominations and four wins including Best Play.

When she was only 10 months old, young Helen went blind and deaf, leaving her family in devastation, Growing up, Helen faced many struggles as her entire family was of seeing and hearing. Helen's parents, lacking the knowledge to properly teach their daughter, bring in Annie Sullivan, a previously blind teacher. Despite the many challenges thrown their way Annie works hard to help the young Helen discover her true potential in life.

Leading the cast was the incredibly talented Lauren Quick as Helen Keller. From the moment Quick stepped on stage, she did a phenomenal job portraying relationships with each and every character. Quick delivered a strong emotional performance throughout the show, getting the audience to feel sympathy for the young Helen even when she was being a brat. Even more impressively Quick's strong character physicality allowed for the audience to understand Helen's struggles even without words.

Another notable performance was that of Lauren Ignazzitto as Kate Keller. Ignazzitto did a spectacular job of portraying a mother who is clearly struggling, but still holding out hope. From the moment Ignazzitto stepped out on stage as Kate she caught the eyes of many.

Contributing to the show as a whole was the fabulous crones ensemble and Jimmie Sullivan (Landon Ulrich). Ulrich's portrayal of Jimmie commanded the stage with a strong performance both emotionally and physically. Specifically after intermission, Jimmie and the crones opened the second act immediately catching the audience's eyes with their vague yet creepy performance.

From the moment the audience walks in, they are greeted with a spectacular set made by Kara Adamson, Sophie Castillo, Hali Moe, and Konduaba Esi-Quansah. The dynamic set was elegant, while it also allowed the audience great visualization and brought to life the idea of a family home. Working hand in hand with the set was the fantastic props made by Avery Ebert, Joseph Ernest, Kylie Lewandowski. From the working water spout to the full dinner table. Ebert, Ernest, and Lewandowski brought the aspect of family meals to life on stage. None of this show would be possible without the spectacular direction of the student directors Tony Marshak and Austin Taylor. Throughout the entire show the characters show off the clever blocking of Marshak and Taylor. All the little details such as the use of actual sign language to the physical altercations on stage show the clear effort put into all the research done by not only Marshak and Taylor, but the entire cast and crew.

From the opening moment Potomac Fall's production of The Miracle Worker left the audience in awe with its deep emotional performance leaving the audience walking away wanting more.

Jocelyn Long
John Champe High School
Submitted for publication to Loudoun Times-Mirror

The Miracle Worker, written by William Gibson, tells the famous story of Helen Keller and her mentor, Annie Sullivan, following Helen's childhood as a blind, deaf, and mute young girl. Based on Helen's own autobiography, The Story of My Life, the production made its Broadway debut in 1959 to exceptional praise from critics, winning four Tony awards, including Best Play. The show's popularity led to a highly acclaimed film adaptation in 1962, bringing even more audiences to fall in love with the story.

Potomac Falls High School's interpretation of this difficult script was simply breathtaking. Every technical aspect of the production, from the amazing student direction to the nuanced period accurate costumes, was incredibly intricate and well done. A gorgeous minimalistic house set adorned the stage, complete with two floors and multiple rooms. The show's use of lighting was impeccable, and almost every sound cue was executed perfectly. The costumes team worked to show detailed contrast in characters through the costumes, with the Keller family in blue and the Sullivans both in red. The student direction, done by Tony Marshak and Austin Taylor was beautifully done. Possibly the best two technological aspects of this show, however, were the incredibly detailed props and the period accurate hair and makeup. The props team put real food and water on stage, complete with a working water pump. The hair and makeup was thoroughly researched, with intricate, period accurate hairstyles on every single character.

The most remarkable part of the production was the spectacular cast. Every member of this cast seemed to understand the difficult nuance and emotions behind the show. Natalie Brown as Annie Sullivan and Lauren Reese Quick as Helen Keller both gave incredible performances, with very clear intentions in their physicality and emotion. Brown's acting was unbelievably thorough, with each word having a clear thought behind it and creating an incredibly real person. Quick's performance as Helen was astonishing, portraying the historical figure with beautiful execution. Lauren Ignazzitto as Kate Keller also delivered a stellar performance, full of nuance and perfect tonality. It is clear by just watching these actors how much time and effort they have devoted to portraying these real people.

The entire team behind this show was phenomenal, crafting a breathtaking production that received a standing ovation. The show's use of imagery in both the characters and tech was astounding, and the use of non-verbal acting created many great moments. Potomac Falls High School's performance of The Miracle Worker is an incredibly impactful show that will touch everyone's heart.

Cass Sanzano
Dominion High School
Submitted for publication to Patch

Helen Keller's communication journey is a beloved American narrative that changed the perceptions of those with disabilities. Yet, in re-telling her story, the name of her teacher, Annie Sullivan, is often lost. In Potomac Falls High School's production of "The Miracle Worker," Annie is highlighted as the brave woman who never gave up on Helen Keller.

Written by William Gibson in 1957, "The Miracle Worker" is based on Helen Keller's 1903 autobiography and letters written by Annie Sullivan in 1887. The play premiered on Broadway in 1959 and ran for the next two years. "The Miracle Worker" is centered around the relationship between Helen Keller and her teacher, Annie Sullivan. As a deaf and blind child, Helen navigates life through violent fits and hostile behavior, as it is the only way she knows how to communicate what she needs. As a last resort before sending Helen to an asylum, her parents employ Annie, a 20-year-old graduate from the Perkins School for the Blind. After arriving at the Keller residence, Annie embarks on the difficult journey of teaching six year old Helen language and communication skills that will change her life forever.

"The Miracle Worker" is a sensitive but powerful show, and the tech team at Potomac Falls certainly succeeded in creating a personal environment. The minimal tech elements allowed the audience to focus on the importance of the story and the themes that it portrays. The subtle lighting changes designed by Emma Murray, Daniel Prothe, and Aimee Wakefield, transported the audience into Annie's difficult memories, regarding the death of her brother Jimmy (Landon Ulrich), that continue to haunt her throughout the show.

Lauren Quick gave an absolutely incredible performance as Helen Keller. Throughout the show, Helen throws shocking tantrums, and Quick's interpretation of Helen's violent anger and frustration was raw, real, and heartbreaking. It perfectly embodied Helen's emotional battle with her disabilities. Working alongside Quick, Natalie Brown as Annie Sullivan blew the audience away. Brown's interpretation of Annie was superb and successfully portrayed her as a woman with a haunted past but who was not afraid to fight for herself and for Helen. The two actors successfully demonstrated a powerful dynamic between teacher and student, creating the dramatic and often heart-wrenching scenes that take place.

The character that tugged most on the audience's heartstrings was Kate Keller, portrayed by Lauren Ignazzito. Kate's steadfast maternal love for Helen was incredibly touching. Ignazzito's ability to portray Kate as a mother who was able to listen to her head rather than her heart and allow Annie to take control of Helen's life was just inspiring.

In the final scene of the play, the chaos that is Annie's desperation for Helen to understand is intensified by the working water spout and shattering vase. Until this scene, most tech elements have provided a quiet and intimate environment, but these two props allowed the audience to be immersed in such an aggressively powerful moment in the play. Nothing compares to the silence that follows as Helen drops and shatters the vase and the water stops spewing. She understood. It was a powerful and beautiful moment of the show that touched the hearts of everyone in the audience.

Potomac Falls High School's production of "The Miracle Worker" was truly a work of art. The remarkably talented cast presented the emotional story in an accurate and respectful manner, teaching us about the miracle that is Helen Keller.