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The Miracle Worker was
initially written for television and was first aired in 1957.
It was then rewritten for the stage and opened on Broadway in
1959 at the Playhouse Theatre. Drawing heavily from
letters written by Anne Sullivan in 1887, as well as from Helen
Keller's autobiography, William Gibson constructed a drama from
events that took place when Helen and her teacher, Anne
Sullivan, first met. The exchanges that take place in The
Miracle Worker are all derived from factual events that Gibson
has woven together to build a fluid, emotionally real, depiction
of the "miracle" Anne Sullivan was able to work: teaching Helen
- a deaf, mute and blind girl - language.
 In
simplest terms, The Miracle Worker is the story of how one
person can enter the lives of others and change them forever.
Anne not only changes Helen's life, she changes all of the
character's perceptions of the world, including her own
world-view. By the end of the play the "miracle" that she
works has a direct effect on everyone's life. Along with
the major themes of change and transformation, language and
meaning, is that of basic integrity and emotional honesty -
these are the reasons why The Miracle Worker is so powerful and
popular among audiences. It has deservedly been called an
American Theatre Classic.
Helen Keller lived
until 1968 and traveled to the farthest reaches of the world.
She became internationally famous and publicly campaigned on
behalf of civil rights, human dignity, women's suffrage, and
world peace. You can learn more about her at http://www.afb.org,
the American Foundation for the Blind website.
Meet the
Director
 LINDA
WOODRUFF WEIR (Director) - This is Linda's directorial debut
at FWP and she is honored to have been asked to direct this
powerful drama. Linda has many outstanding credits as a
director, among them are: The Sound of Music and
State Fair for Eight O'Clock Theatre, Bus Stop and The Rainmaker
for West Coast Players. She has been nominated for a 2004
Lary Award for Bus Stop. Also an accomplished actress,
Linda has appeared here at FWP as Mrs. Paroo in The Music Man
and Bess in The Gaslight Girl.
 LEAH RADEL (Helen
Keller) - Leah is thrilled to be playing this incredible woman.
An experienced thespian Leah would like to thank Linda Weir and
her other "teachers": Mags, Ashlie, Cindy, Flip, Dennis and
Al. She also, thanks to her family and the theatre community
for their love and unending support.
 ASHLIE ANN JOHNSON
(Annie Sullivan) - Ashlie is elated to be making her FWP debut
in this role. Her extensive experience includes a 2004 Lary
nomination for drama in West Coast Players production of Bus
Stop. She dedicates her performance to her Grandmother,
Shirley; her teacher always.
DAVID ADUBATO (Jimmy
Sullivan) - A 16 year old drama student at Clearwater H.S.,
David is also defensive end for the JV football team and an
accomplished 3rd Degree Brown Belt. This production marks his
debut in community theatre.
LAUREL E. BRASWELL (Viney)
- Multi talented Laurel is appearing at FWP for the first time.
She has danced in the Chocolate Nutcracker, designed costumes
for Stage Agenda's Cops 'N Robbers, is a wife a mom, a board
member of Clearwater Arts Foundation and more. WOW !
JOSEPH L. CAMPBELL
(Percy) - Joseph is 10 years old, attends Sandy Lane Elementary
School and sings in the choir of the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church.
He lives with his mom, Sonya, brother Jarrod, sister Serena and
loves scary -movies.
MAIZEE DEMSKE (Sarah) -
Now 10, Maizee has been performing the National Anthem for area
sporting events since she was 6 years old. Theatre credits
include Carousel with City Players and Sound of Music with EOT.
She loves working with Linda again.
LYNDSAY DOLL
(Laura/crone) - A senior at Countryside H.S., Lyndsay has
participated in Peter Pan, Into The Woods, and The Odd Couple
(female version). She thanks the Miracle Worker cast, crew, and
her friends and family for their support.
TERRY FARLEY (James
Keller) - Terry calls musicals "home"; i.e., FWP's How to
Succeed..., and The King and I, but he still enjoys
non-musicals. Past acting credits include: It's A Wonderful
Life, God's Favorite and Waiting for Godot.
GEORGE A. GRAHAM
(John/man) - Native Floridian, single dad of 8 sons,
ordained Baptist Minister, and more. Thankfully, George
has still found time for community theatre. You saw him
featured in the St. Pete Times last July for his featured role
in City Players, Carousel.
LORUS A. HAWBECKER
(Aunt Ev) - Just retired from her international career, Lorus is
making a stage "comeback". She has appeared as Linda in Death
of a Salesman, Sister George in The Killing of Sister George and
in other roles on stages in Pittsburgh, Washington DC and Miami.
HEATHER IGNACIO (Kate
Keller) - Heather studied theatre and performed in Southern
California prior to taking 10 years to enjoy her family. This is
her first major community theatre performance since then.
FWP is very happy she chose us for her "return debut".
ALAN MOHNEY, JR (Anagnos)
- First time at FWP for Alan who is a "regular" with Eight O'Clock and West Coast Players. He has won 2 Larys out of 5
nominations and he is delighted to work with Linda again. He is
in awe of Jim's set and says to Ashlie: "Your talent takes my
breath away."
CAMILLE PASQUIER
(Alice/crone) - An 8th grade student at St. Raphael's Catholic
School Camille loves acting and hopes for a professional
career. She has performed in Guys and Dolls and Henry the
Fifth; worked with Disney, Nickelodeon, ESPN and Discovery
Channel.
GABRIELLA PASQUIER
(Beatrice/crone) - Twin sister to Camille, Gabriella also hopes
for a professional career. She has performed for Disney, ESPN,
and Travel Channel as well as in the American Stage productions
of Guys and Dolls and Henry the Fifth.
NICOLE RICHARDS
(Martha/Elizabeth) - 8 years old, Nicole attends the Center for
Gifted Studies at Ridgecrest Elementary. She studies dance,
piano and on-camera acting. She is a competitive figure skater
and favors BBQ's on the beach with her family.
RAND SMITH (Mr.
Keller) - Rand has performed in community theatre for 5
years and has won 6 Lary Awards! He is nominated for a 7th Lary
this year. In the past, Rand has appeared at FWP in Murder On
The Nile, and Mister Angel; in Fools for the West Coast Players
and in 1776 for Tarpon Cultural Arts Center.
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