Megan Pryor Lorentz and Samantha Martin in The Miracle Worker.

As the second production of their 80th(!) season, Ross Valley Players presents The Miracle Worker by William Gibson.  This production commemorates the 50th anniversary of The Miracle Worker, which premiered October 19, 1959 at Broadway’s Playhouse Theatre and ran 719 performances. 

Set in Alabama in the 1880’s the play recounts the real-life story of Helen Keller, who at a very young age is left blind, deaf and dumb after surviving an attack of scarlet fever.  Unable to communicate with the world, the girl suffers fits of frustration which manifest in violent tantrums.  Her desperate parents seek help from the Perkins Institute who send Annie Sullivan, a visually impaired young woman to tutor Helen.  Through kindness, persistence and forceful stubbornness, Annie finally breaks through the barriers that separate the frustrated Helen from the rest of the world and teaches her a method by which she can communicate with those around her. 

Director Linda Dunn skillfully directs her cast of twelve (including some adorable children) in a well-paced natural clip.  The flow is seamless.  And there are no weak performances. 

Samantha Martin is a must-see young actress in the physically and emotionally demanding role of Helen.  She balances relentless frustration with naive awakening.  Samantha IS Helen!  But this play is truly the story of Annie Sullivan, who was the miracle worker.  Megan Pryor-Lorentz gives Annie a dichotomy of forthrightness and doubt, strength and vulnerability; courage and bravado; humor and drama.  Lorentz easily meets the many challenges of Annie. 

Lauren Doucette (Helen’s mother) portrays a genteel, southern lady with a backbone when it comes to her child.  Tom Reilly (Helen’s father) gives a strong performance as a newspaper publisher who possesses much power, both in the business world and his home.  Brook Robinson (Helen’s brother) shows the clear growth of his character’s inner self.  Karol Strempke (Aunt Ev) gives a bossy performance as a talkative woman who tries to be helpful.  Mary Jane Baird (Viney, the servant in charge of the daily housework and meals in the Keller household) is cheerful, practical and very adept at her job.  Rounding out the cast is Ray Martin as Anagnos (Annie’s counselor at the Perkins Institute for the Blind) who places Annie in the Keller’s home as Helen’s governess.  He is loving and kindly with Annie but can also be stern when necessary. 

Set designer Michael Cook and lighting designer Ellen Brooks clearly define multiple areas (interiors of the house and various exterior areas) with variations of spotlights.  Sound designer Billie Cox gives us both civil war songs and parlor songs such as “After the Ball” and “Just A Song At Twilight” as musical background. 

Communication is the crux of this The Miracle Worker.  Without it, the human spirit is locked. 

The Miracle Worker continues until Dec. 6 at the Barn Theatre, Marin Art and Garden Center, 30 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard (at Lagunitas), Ross.  For tickets, call (415) 456-9555 or at rossvalleyplayers.com.