‘Miracle Worker’ Playing In Olean

By Robert W. Plyler editorial@post-journal.com
PORTVILLE — Olean Community Theatre is examining one of the most beloved American plays in our history: ‘‘The Miracle Worker,’’ by William Gibson.

The play is based upon a true story of Helen Keller, who suffered a high fever in her infancy which left her completely blind and deaf. Because of her handicaps she lived for years with her family, eating with her hands, smashing dishes, totally isolated from the thoughts of every other living person.

Eventually, her parents found a young woman who had been blind herself, until an operation restored her sight. Annie Sullivan saw that the family’s pity for the child, and their guilt at their own abilities, while the child suffered, was the true obstacle to her living. Helen would never learn until she needed to learn. Getting what she wanted, regardless of her behavior, was destroying her.

The Olean cast is well chosen and performs the familiar play nicely. Danielle Campbell was a strong and spirited Annie, and kept a balance, keeping our respect while still showing us how hard she had to fight to get through to this poor child.

Much praise for Ksa Curry, whose Helen fought like a demon and won our hearts, without sinking to cuteness.

Brad Thomas and Meaghan Bryant were fine as the parents of the family, and Tim Hollamby did a nice job as Helen’s older brother, who finds it hard to get even the crumbs of parental attention when Helen needs so much.

Ken Roberts’ direction made for a believable story. He could have encouraged a somewhat faster pace. He also designed the set, which established the location very well, but had windows which concealed the actors at some of the most important moments of the play.

The entire cast was attractive and enjoyable, although there was an almost-universal tendency to declaim, rather than to speak to one another.

This production of OCT is being presented in the auditorium of Portville Central School, just to the east of Olean. If you’re interested in attending, be aware, there is a bridge problem in Olean which makes necessary a detour, when approaching from our direction, so allow some extra time.

‘‘The Miracle Worker’’ will repeat tonight at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.