’Miracle Worker’ cast announced

"The Miracle Worker,” by William Gibson, will run March 23 through April 15 at The Phipps Center for the Arts.

The play is based on the inspirational true story of the relationship between Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan. Keller became deaf, mute, and blind as the result of a childhood illness and Sullivan was hired by Keller’s parents to become a teacher-companion for their daughter.

Pitied and badly spoiled by her parents, Keller is undisciplined and grows into a wild, iron-willed, raging youngster. Using all of her persistence, and sometimes a touch of savagery, Sullivan begins to bring the girl around. Sullivan teaches Keller discipline and language through the use of her fingers, a breakthrough that has a direct effect on everyone’s life and the way they live it.

Cast in the role of Keller is Sophia Whitley from Amery. Sullivan will be portrayed by Tara Lucchino of Minneapolis. Marc Paez from Inver Grove Heights, Minn., will play Captain Keller, Kate Wodele of St. Paul will portray Kate Keller, Erik Olson of Hudson is cast as James Keller, and Denise Baker of Hudson is Aunt Ev. The cast is rounded out with Bernie Drevnick (Doctor and Anagnos) and Lauren Johnson (blind girl) from Hudson; Braden Hanafee-Major (Percy) and Kinsey Novotne (blind girl) from New Richmond; Carolyn Morris (Martha) from Roberts; Lucy Langmack (blind girl) from Stillwater; and Denise Silva (Viney) from Plymouth, Minn. The play is directed by Rebecca Rizzio from Woodbury, Minn.

“The Miracle Worker” will be performed March 23 through April 15 on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., as well as Sundays, April 1 and 15 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $22 for adults and $15 for students of all ages, with a $2 discount for the opening weekend, and a $2 discount for seniors on the Sunday matinee. Reservations may be made by contacting The Phipps ticket office at (715) 386-8409 or online at www.ThePhipps.org.

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