'The Miracle Worker' Begins at Paper Mill January 23

Paper Mill Playhouse announces its mainstage production of The Miracle Worker.  The Miracle Worker will run at the Millburn Theatre from January 23, 2008 through February 24, 2008.  There are three added student matinee performances on February 6, 13 and 14 at 11AM. The Miracle Worker is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Opening Night is Sunday, January 27at 7:30PM, which will include audio description, open captioning, sign interpretation and a pre-show participatory sensory seminar.  For more information visit www.papermill.org.

"Before Helen Keller became a world famous speaker, author, and advocate, she was a blind, deaf, and mostly mute child living in Alabama in the 1880's. Misunderstood, pitied, and consequently spoiled by her family, at the age of six she terrorized the household with her tantrums and tricks. Then, Anne Sullivan arrived. She was merely twenty years old herself, but Anne held the key that would unlock the door between Helen and the world," explain press notes, "William Gibson's Tony Award-winning play (adapted into the Academy Award-winning film) unfolds the trials and tribulations Anne and Helen encountered as they forged what would become a 49-year-long friendship. From their isolation in the family cottage house to the watershed moment when Helen finally understood the concept of language and communication, The Miracle Worker is a profoundly moving retelling of the groundbreaking work of two pioneers, as well as the volatile relationship between them."

The Miracle Worker will play the following performance schedule: Wednesdays at 7:30PM, Thursdays at 2:00PM & 7:30PM, Fridays at 8:00PM, Saturdays at 2:00PM & 8:00PM and Sundays at 2:00PM & 7:30PM. 

Single tickets are now on sale and range in price from $25 to $92.  Student rush tickets are $20 and are available the day of performance in person with current student ID. Tickets may be purchased by calling 973-376-4343, or at the Paper Mill Box Office on Brookside Drive in Millburn, or online at www.papermill.org.  Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express accepted.  Groups of ten or more can receive up to a 25% discount on tickets and student groups can attend any performance for only $20 per ticket.  

For more information regarding group purchases please call 973-379-3636 ext. 2438.  For all performances from Wednesday, January 23 through Sunday, January 27, buy an adult ticket and receive a children's ticket for half price (some restrictions may apply).

Annika Boras, a regional theater favorite, makes her Paper Mill debut as the determined Anne Sullivan. Ms. Boras has starred in productions at ART-Boston, Arcola Theater, North Shore Musical Theater and Playhouse 91. Most recently Ms. Boras appeared on the season finale of Law & Order as Trina Bailey.  

Playing the role of Helen Keller are two remarkable young women, Meredith Lipson and Lily Maketansky (New Jersey resident).  Meredith was recently seen on Broadway as Little Mette in the original cast of Festen.  In addition to Meredith's national commercials and television work (including the Conan O'Brien Show), she was featured as Molly in both the national tour and Walnut Street Theatre's productions of Annie. Lily was featured at the New York Shakespeare Festival in A Midsummer's Night Dream and an episode of NBC's Law & Order.

Broadway regular John Hickok will play Captain Keller. Mr. Hickok originated the role of Professor Bhaer in the 2005 Broadway production of Little Women.  He also appeared in the original casts of Disney's Aida as Zoser, Parade as Governor Slaton and Our Country's Good.  

Helen's mother, Kate Keller will be portrayed by Emily Dorsch. Ms. Dorsch has an MFA from the Yale School of Drama where she starred as Queen Elizabeth in Richard III, Masha in Three Sisters, Rosalind in As You Like It, Hermia in A Midsummer Night's Dream and other roles.

Helen's brother, James Keller, will be portrayed by Will Fowler. MR. Fowler was last seen at Paper Mill as Demetrius in A Midsummer Night's Dream. His regional theatre credits include productions at the Signature, McCarter, Alley, and Guthrie Theatres along with a myriad of television and film credits.

New Jersey resident Elijah Cook will play Percy.  Elijah is best known for his portrayal of Young Tracy Morgan on the hit television series 30 Rock.  He has nine national commercials/voice-overs to his credit and was featured in the film Teenage Under Construction.

Cherelle Cargill, also a New Jersey resident, makes her Paper Mill debut as Viney.  Ms. Cargill, a seasoned television and film performer was featured on Sex and the City and Law & Order.  Her film credits include Nickel and Dimed, The Story of a Bad Boy and Unconstitutional.

Most recently seen on Broadway in Roundabout's production of Major Barbara, Beth Dixon joins the cast as the stern Aunt Ev. Ms. Dixon held recurring roles on ABC's Home Improvement and One Life to Live, among others. Her film credits include: Kinsey, Hitch, The Ballad of the Sad Café and Dark Tides.

Finally, Stuart Zagnit returns to the Paper Mill stage as Doctor Anagnos.  Mr. Zagnit was featured in the critically acclaimed Paper Mill run of Applause in 1996. On Broadway Mr. Zagnit appeared as the Mayor of Whoville in Seussical, Goldberg in The Wild Party and Those Were the Days. His television credits include 30 Rock, Law & Order, All My Children, and One Life to Live.

The Miracle Worker will be directed by Susan Fenichell whose credits include The Dead Eye Boy at MCC (starring Lili Taylor), The Faculty Room at the Humana Festival, as well as productions at NYU, ACT and The National Theatre Conservatory.  She most recently directed Burn This for the Huntington Theater, Marion Bridge for Urban Stages and John Adams' opera The Death of Klinghoffer at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. 

The design team for The Miracle Worker includes Scenic and Costume Designer David Zinn, who designed Romance/ Romance at Paper Mill for the 2006-2007 season. Mr. Zinn's costumes can be seen in the current Broadway production of Xanadu. Lighting Design is by Mary Louise Geiger, who designed the 2005 Broadway production of The Constant Wife and serves as Arts Professor and Associate Chair of Design at the Tisch School at NYU. Hair and Wig Design is by Chuck LaPointe and Sound Design is by Randy Hansen. The Production Stage Manager is Jennifer Grutza.

To coincide with the main stage production of The Miracle Worker, The Renee Foosaner Art Gallery, located on the mezzanine level of the theatre, continues its series of distinguished art displays with The Matheny Medical and Educational Center's Arts Access Program. An alternative arts program for individuals with disabilities, the Matheny Medical and Educational Center's Arts Access Program offers opportunities for unlimited self-expression in the visual, literary and performing arts.  Professional artists are trained as facilitators to assist artists with disabilities in their creative pursuits while remaining neutral in the creative process.  The process is entirely directed by the disabled individual - the final creative expression is completely their own.  Through this unique methodology, the world of artists with disabilities, like that of all other artists, becomes unlimited and rich with creative and expressive possibilities. The Renee Foosaner Art Gallery is open one hour prior to performances and during intermission. Admission to the exhibit is free.  This unique exhibition will be on display from January 23 through February 24.

For more information visit www.papermill.org.