The 50th anniversary Broadway revival of “The Miracle Worker,” the story of Helen Keller and her teacher Annie Sullivan, will star Abigail Breslin in the role of Keller, Entertainment Weekly reports.

Breslin, who was nominated for a Oscar for her role as Olive Hoover in “Little Miss Sunshine,” will be co-starring with Tony Award nominee Alison Pill, who will play Sullivan. The original play had Patty Duke and Anne Bancroft in the main roles.

Since the announcement of the casting, however, controversy has arisen as deaf and blind actors have criticized the choice, reports MSN.

The Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts is advocating that Breslin be replaced by an actress who is genuinely deaf and blind so as to make the performance more believable. So far representatives for the show have only said that such an actress may be cast as Breslin’s understudy.

Despite the controversy, most tweeps are supporting Breslin’s casting:

1. 
   molsongrrrl Wait, so Abigail Breslin shouldn’t play Helen Keller because she isn’t blind and/or deaf? I thought that’s why it’s called acting!
2. 
   BrennyOh @andersonjohnhei I just found out Abigail Breslin will play Helen Keller in the Miracle Worker on Broadway…good choice huh?
3. 
   pizzafruit I totally want to see Abigail Breslin as Helen Keller on Broadway
4. 
   Italiasordo Why are they complaining about Abigail Breslin to play Helen Keller in Broadway? Her stardom will generate ticket sales.
5. 
   thejasongray People need to relax,who cares if Abigail Breslin plays Helen Keller, did anyone think she got the part because SHE’S THE BEST FOR THE ROLE?
6. 
   SparklesDaCat Oh seriously you ‘advocates’…leave Abigail Breslin alone! No one ever bitched about Patty Duke playing Helen Keller!
7. 
   annielftw why in the world was abigail breslin cast to play helen keller?
8. 
   FilmBuzz We hear that Abigail Breslin has been cast as Helen Keller in an upcoming film. Nice role, Abigail!

The show is set to open at the Circle in the Square Theater in March of next year.

Share This Post

More »

Powered by Bookmarkify™

Tweet This Post