Ridgedale Players Present “The Miracle Worker” Jan 19-Feb 4
(Cherie Rolfe, Jan. 14, 2024)
Troy, MI – In the midst of a grey Michigan winter, a miracle of communication and connection plays out on the stage of Ridgedale Community Theatre as the company presents its production of “The Miracle Worker” January 19 – February 4, 2024.
“The Miracle Worker” is the true story of a young Helen Keller, who lost her sight and hearing when she was 19 months old, and her teacher Annie Sullivan. With compassion, humor, and dramatic tension, The Tony Award- winning play explores the relationship between the lonely teacher and her headstrong charge, and the communication breakthrough they make together that connects Helen to her family and her world.
Performances are 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings and 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoons, with an additional 2 p.m. Saturday matinee performance on January 27. There will also be three performances featuring American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters on Saturday, January 20; Friday, January 26; and Sunday, February 4. The interpreters are funded through a donation by GFL Environmental as part of its Full Circle Project.
The Ridgedale-GFL partnership was an opportunity “to send an inclusive message and a chance to expand the audience,” said the show’s director, Joseph Munem, 59, of Sterling Heights. Munem works as a government affairs director for GFL Environmental. He has been active on the community theater circuit since 2003, directing, producing, acting and serving on the boards of several community theaters.
For Munem, who “has been an aficionado of the show for a long time,” it is a chance to work with a motivated cast that he describes as “wonderful storytellers.”
The role of young Helen Keller is shared by two actors: Cora Steiger, 11, of Oxford and Ilana Kalmowitz, 12, of Birmingham. The character has only one spoken line and communicates mostly through movements and noises, which both actors agree is “harder than it looks.”
Cora is excited to play Helen Keller “when she was my age.” Her family helped her learn about the real person behind her character. Ilana learned that Helen Keller was the first deaf and blind person to go to college.
The girls enjoy sharing the role. “It’s good to have someone to talk to,” Ilana said. “We realized we are the same person and enjoy being twins.”
In the role of Annie Sullivan is Sandra Deering, 52, a nurse practitioner, teacher and consultant, who has been active in the Ridgedale company since 2012 and currently serves on Ridgedale’s Board of Directors. She considers Annie Sullivan “a bucket-list role.”
Deering says that the production has “reinforced my belief not to underestimate people with disabilities, and don’t limit expectations.” Additionally, she says the role underlined the importance of non-verbal communications like physical touch and gestures.
Nicholas Cupelli, 22, agrees. He plays James Keller, Helen’s stepbrother. “Treating anyone with respect is the point of the show,” the Troy High School alum said.
The play is about “everything it is to be human: emotions, thoughts and dreams,” Cupelli said. As an actor, the hardest part is “working through James’ emotions. The parents’ focus is on Helen, and James draws his father’s anger.” From his character’s perspective, it’s “a story of growing up and finding his place in the family.”
“It’s a beautiful show,” Cupelli said, “and you will not leave the theater without tears in your eyes.”
The play has its funny moments too, says Joy Mullen, 29, of Oak Park, who performs on stage for the first time since college in the role of Viney, the Keller’s housekeeper. She admits she was nervous at her audition, but says the best part of her experience is feeling welcome by her cast and crewmates and the confidence they’ve shown in her abilities. For others who are considering a return to performing, she says, “Just do it!”
Mullen calls the production “inspirational and moving.” She also credits the dedication of Helen’s parents, but was surprised to learn that the vast majority of hearing parents with deaf children do not learn American Sign Language.
One castmate Mullen is excited to work with is Sir Raleigh, a 2-year-old male Golden Retriever who appears as the Keller’s family pet. In the play, the dog provides “a source of comfort for Helen,” said producer Sarah Lackey. Having a live dog in the play requires special communications between human and nonhuman actors.
“The actors learn the way the dog understands what he’s supposed to do; they control him on stage with hand signals while his handler, Rene Sutton, remains backstage,” Lackey said. Sir Raleigh has earned his novice obedience certification, performing trick dog, and has won awards for obedience.
Mullen said she has to resist the temptation to pet Sir Raleigh backstage. Lackey explains that during the production Sir Raleigh is a cast member and “working dog” who has to stay within his “actor role,” while at the theater, so the human actors and crew are discouraged from too much interaction with him backstage. Lackey adds, “He’s so cute and personable, so happy. He attracts a lot of attention, so it’s really hard not to want to show him affection all the time.”
Ridgedale Community Theatre is located at 205 W. Long Lake Road in Troy since 1983. Tickets can be purchased online at ridgedaleplayers.com/tickets, or at the door. The theater always welcomes volunteers and new members.
