By Kimberly Harper
Ocean State Theatre Company has enjoyed a strong season, but the crown jewel for 2015-2016 may be “The Miracle Worker.” The play is a compelling work on its own; done well, it becomes a truly immersive, heart wrenching piece of theater, a joy for any audience member.
Based on a true story, William Gibson’s play is set in post-Civil War Alabama. The Keller family, headed by the unbendable Captain Keller, is at the end of its rope with young Helen, who was rendered deaf and blind after an illness in infancy. Unable to properly communicate, Helen wreaks havoc on the household. Family and staff indulge her with candy and other treats to keep her calm. Of course, this does nothing to help the child, who has grown into something of a spoiled tyrant, throwing silverware and shoving her hands in people’s mouths.
Enter Bostonian Annie Sullivan, a young, formerly blind teacher who is intent on getting Helen to not just settle down and obey, but to meaningfully engage in two way communication with those around her. She is haunted by her younger brother’s death, and, determined not to let Helen down, she persists against all obstacles. The journey they take is both harrowing and relatable, by the end, you may find yourself in tears along with the actors.
“I’m not counting on force, I’m counting on her,” Annie says to the Kellers, and it is her unwavering faith in Helen that brings the play to its stunning conclusion.
Under the direction of Amiee Turner, this story shines. Though everyone on the stage is quite talented the truly outstanding performances come from Brittany Rolfs, who plays Ms. Sullivan and Laurel McMahon, who was last seen in OSTC’s production of Gypsy and who fully embodies the role of Helen. Given a character who literally does not say a word, McMahon is incredible at communicating emotion and intention throughout the show. You, like Annie, will want to cheer for her, hug her, or, at times, scream at her in utter frustration. And you will root for her – and Annie – every moment they are on stage.
Kevin McGlynn and Kristin Wetherington play Capt. and Kate Keller. Their chemistry with each other is strong and their interactions with Helen – McGlynn a standoffish, stern father, Wetherington a mother desperate for her daughter to thrive – are solid. Joseph DePietro as half brother James starts off with nothing but scorn for Annie and slowly comes around to be one of her biggest supporters. In smaller supporting roles, Jennifer Mischley plays Aunt Ev, who is patient with Helen, but frustrated with her antics, and Staci Morin plays housemaid Viney, who delivers some of the funniest one-liners in the show.
“We’re glad to have you back too,” she says to Helen upon her return to the main house in Act 2. And after a pause, “probably.”
On the visual front, Ken Martin gives us a simple set, just two levels of the Kellers’ house, with some action taking place in a suggested separate garden house downstage. The details of the set are what make it visually appealing: A working water pump plays an integral role in the show, a large silhouette of a majestic oak tree in the back ground reminds us that we are in the South. Add in some subtle lighting changes to denote time of day and it’s a very, very pretty show. This is theater not to be missed.
“The Miracle Worker” runs through April 17 at Ocean State Theatre Company, 1245 Jefferson Blvd., Warwick. Tickets are $34-$49 and may be obtained by calling (401) 921-6800, or by visiting oceanstatetheatre.org.
Kimberly Harper is a freelance journalist and copy editor who loves the performing arts. A Connecticut transplant and former full time reporter, she earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Rhode Island, where she also studied theater. Since moving here she has worked with many community theaters throughout Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts.
