Meet The Cast of The Miracle Worker.

Feb 5

This March, Legacy Theater Company is honored to present the timeless classic THE MIRACLE WORKER. Immortalized on screen by Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke, this Tony Award-winning play is the story of Annie Sullivan and her student, Helen Keller, who lost her sight and hearing at the age of 19 months. The Miracle Worker explores the volatile relationship between a lonely teacher and her headstrong charge with compassion, humor, and dramatic tension.

Trapped in a secret, silent world, unable to communicate, young Helen is violent and spoiled, treated by her family as subhuman. Only Annie sees a mind and spirit waiting to be rescued from Helen's dark, tortured silence. After scenes of intense physical and emotional struggle, Helen's breakthrough finally arrives with the utterance of a single, glorious word: "water."

BROADWAY THEN FILM

The Miracle Worker premiered on Broadway at the Playhouse Theatre in New York City on October 19, 1959. Directed by Arthur Penn, the production starred Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke. During the 1960 Tony Awards, the play won Best Director, Best Play, Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play (for Anne Bancroft), and Best Stage Design. That same year, Patty Duke won The Theatre World Award for her portrayal of Helen Keller.

OUR CAST

We are honored to bring this beautiful story to the stage with a cast of thirteen marvelous actors. Enjoy getting a behind the scenes look at Legacy’s cast of THE MIRACLE WORKER.

We are honored to have Kati Meyer taking on the role of The Miracle Worker, Anne Sullivan. You may have seen Kati in various roles on Legacy’s stage over the years, but this is one of her best yet.

Kati says, “I'm originally from Wilmington, so not too far away! I love to dabble in watercolors when I have some spare time.

I was drawn to The Miracle Worker because it's a story that needs to be told. Now, more than ever, we need to be reminded of an inspirational true story of hope, perseverance, faith, and love. I hope you find that message as told by a cast I am truly honored to share the stage with.”

When we considered casting the role of Helen Keller, we couldn't have imagined a more suitable young actress for the part than Kate Adkins. Kate has been a member of our S.O.T.A. program since we reopened and we are confident that she will impress our audiences with her portrayal of Helen.

In the story, Helen's parents discover that she is both blind and deaf when she is only nineteen months old. Our play then fast-forwards a few years as Kate takes on the role of a youthful Helen with love, sympathy, vitality, and a healthy dose of spunk!

Jean-Michael Akey returns to Legacy’s stage as he portrays the iconic role of Captain Arthur Keller, Helen’s father. Jean-Michael has performed on our stage in numerous shows, but it is his role of The Captain that truly captures the level of his talent. With empathy, vigor, and compassion, Jean-Michael revives Helen’s father in a beautiful way.

Jean says, “I was born, raised, and lived most of my life in The Bronx, New York. My favorite play is Death of a Salesman, and the musical is Jersey Boys. If I had a day off to do whatever I wished, I’d be on the beach with some delicious Italian food for dinner! In terms of what drew me to Legacy and The Miracle Worker . . . well, I am a Legacy veteran! I love the intimacy of the small theater. It really allows the actors to tell their stories and interact directly with an audience that is close enough to hug. The Miracle Worker is a fascinating show because it is a true story. Fiction could not do justice to the incredible accomplishments of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan. I am truly fortunate, both as an actor and a human being, to be a small part of this great play and a wonderful cast.”

After his wife died, Captain Keller married the young Kate Adams who was twenty years younger than her husband. Kate devoted her life to educating and nurturing her daughter, and together they overcame many obstacles. Kate was also a strong advocate for the rights of people with disabilities and was involved in various organizations that promoted education and support for the deaf and blind. She passed away in 1922 at the age of 55, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, perseverance, and dedication to helping others.

We are honored to have Kandee Arencibia portray this magnificently strong woman. Kandee says, “I grew up in small-town Oklahoma, but have made my home in North Carolina since 2005. I find it difficult to pick my favorite musical! Today, I’m loving West Side Story. My favorite days off include delicious coffee, time outside in the garden, and hanging out with some of my favorite people. If you were to ask about my favorite food . . . well . . . I LOVE pizza. Like REALLY love pizza. I also love food TexMex…and warm, fresh glazed donuts. I was drawn to The Miracle Worker because of the emphasis on resilience, hope, determination, and love. I am also struck by the idea that while many of the characters in this show overcame great adversity, they did so with the help of those around them. They did not, COULD not, grow without the help and encouragement of those closest to them. We are not meant to do this life alone. Without each other, we cannot become all we are purposed to be.”

Steven Bain is playing the role of James Keller. James is the half-brother of Helen Keller. He was born to Captain Keller and his first wife. After his father remarried, James and his stepmother Kate did not get along. James held a grudge against Kate because he believed his father had married her too soon after his mother's death. Despite their differences, James remained close to his father and family eventually supporting Anne in her teaching of Helen.

Steven says, “I was born in Michigan but I primarily grew up in Chandler AZ. Due to the careers I had I really have lived all over. The Marine Corps drew me to Jacksonville, and Jacksonville to Legacy in 2015. My favorite musical or play? Now that is a hard question! I would say that right now my favorite musical is Come From Away, and my favorite play would either be Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead or the stage adaptation of The Screwtape Letters. I don’t often get a day off, but when I do, I like to spend it with my beautiful wife. It does not really matter what it is we are doing as long as we are together. I am honored to be playing James in The Miracle Worker! This is a true story that brilliantly highlights the inherent potential of humanity within us all. Sometimes, it is locked deep within us, and it takes a special person or special action to pull it out. But once it is tapped, that humanity has to potential to pour from us like we were water from an outdoor pump.”

We are honored to welcome Bill Hitchock to Legacy's stage for the first time! Bill plays numerous roles in The Miracle Worker, including Annie’s teacher, Dr. Agnanos. Bill is no stranger to the stage, television, and radio. A graduate of N.C. School of the Arts, Bill has played numerous roles including Richard in The Lion in Winter, Hap Leonard in Death of a Salesman, and Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet.

Bill says, “I was born in Oak Ridge, TN, but grew up in the Durham/Chapel Hill, NC area. My favorite Broadway musical is The Drowsy Chaperone. If I get a day off, my favorite way to spend it is to get out and enjoy the natural resources our coast has to offer! I love living along the coast! I am so excited to be in this production. The Miracle Worker is a piece of theatre and cinema history.

We are so fortunate that Legacy Theatre has brought this classic play to us all.

We are honored that Lydia Jones is taking on the role of a young Annie Sullivan. She is also our stage manager; without her, we would not have a show! Lydia portrays Annie Sullivan in her younger years through a series of flashbacks.

Annie Sullivan was born on April 14, 1866, in Feeding Hills, Massachusetts. Her parents were impoverished immigrants who fled the Great Famine in Ireland. She became almost blind from a bacterial eye disease when she was 5. Her mother died when she was 8, and her father abandoned Sullivan and her brother. They were sent to the Tewksbury Almshouse – an overcrowded home for the destitute – where her brother died a few months later. The experience roused in her, she wrote later, “not only compassion but a fierce indignation” for the plight of poor and marginalized people.” It was Mark Twain who first referred to Annie Sullivan as a "miracle worker."

As we were casting for the character of "Aunt Ev", we found that no one could play the role better than Toni Meyer. Evelina H. Keller, who was one of ten siblings, remains a mysterious figure. However, we do know that her youngest brother was Arthur Keller, who was Helen's father.

Toni says, “This Wilmington girl loves dramas! I love cats and taking care of animals without homes. In the spirit of our last Mainstage Drama, Family Portrait, The Miracle Worker is a true-life drama about a very famous family that will truly touch your heart and cause you to embrace challenges as opportunites to grow.”

It is a joy to have Donna Poulsen and Giovani Triest on stage as Keller’s servants Viney and Percy. Giovani also plays Annie’s younger brother, Jimmie, in flashbacks throughout the story.

Donna says, “I was born in Keflavik, Iceland. We moved a lot due to Dad being in the Navy. I moved from Torrington, Connecticut, to Jacksonville in 2008 to help Dad with his business. I love all musicals! Hamilton was wonderful, but The Phantom of the Opera is spellbinding! I love doing crafts (diamond painting, plastic canvas villages, the list goes on!), reading books, fancy hand-writing, and playing the piano. My favorite flower is the peony, and my signature colors are purple and pink! I started this journey to help bring Helen Keller’s story to the community. Now I realize that in this day and age, we need the message of hope that no matter how hopeless things look, there is a way to overcome!”

Gio says, “I was born in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and I've lived here my entire life. My favorite musicals are definitely Les Miserables or Hamilton. My favorite way to spend a day off is drawing or just sleeping! If I had to pick a favorite food, I would say it’s a tie between tajine and sushi. The very first show I did at Legacy was School of The Arts production of The Jungle Book when I was four. I loved every second of it, and I've been with Legacy in many different ways ever since.”

We are honored to welcome back to Legacy’s stage Sanae Triest as she plays multiple roles throughout the production. And for the first time, Clara Stevens who plays Martha, Helen’s playmate.

Sanae says, “I was born and raised in the beautiful North African country of Morocco! I moved to the states as an adult after falling madly in love with my man, Jon! My favorite musicals include Sweeney Todd, Les Miserables, and My Fair Lady ! I love so many. If I have a day off, I am a massive cinephile - I love everything about film, how it’s made, the backstories, the Easter eggs, the audio and visual - all of it! I also really love a good book and a warm sunny day on the beach or playing in my kooky garden. My favourite food is tajine - it’s a Moroccan meal that we eat around the table together. I was drawn to The Miracle Worker initially just because it was a Legacy show. I did a ton of research about the show before auditioning, and I am blown away by the story of some amazing, fierce, dedicated, hard-working, undeterred women in a world that is often very unkind to women and certainly to those with lesser abilities. It’s a story that deserves a stage, and our cast is going to tell it brilliantly. I am so honored to be a part of this story.

And last, but certainly not least . . .

Helen Keller was known for her immense love for dogs. She had a special bond with her dogs and considered them as her best friends. In her autobiography, "The Story of My Life", she mentions her dog, a Scottish Terrier named Belle, who provided her with comfort and companionship. She also owned other dogs, including a Great Dane named Sir Thomas, a Chihuahua named Susie, and a Fox Terrier named Phiz. Keller's love for dogs extended beyond her personal life, as she was also an advocate for animal welfare and encouraged people to treat their pets with kindness and respect.

We are honored to bring Momma Con’s Havanese, Roman Reigns, to the stage as Belle. Roman says, “My breed comes from Havana, Cuba, but I was born in Kinston and raised in Jacksonville. I love to spend days playing with my ball and sitting with my Mom. My favorite food is chicken, but my Mom dropped bacon on the floor and now I love that! My favorite musical is The Wizard of Oz. I hate television! I bark at the dogs in the box! I was drawn to The Miracle Worker because I love coming to Legacy and hanging out with all of the different cast members. I am the mascot around here! Plus, my Aunt Erika said I’d be great in the role!”