The Miracle Worker 1959

Opened: October 19, 1959

The Miracle Worker - 1959 - Broadway History , Info & More

Playhouse Theatre
137 W. 48th St. New York, NY

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. With compassion, humor and dramatic tension, The Miracle Worker explores the volatile relationship between a lonely teacher and her headstrong charge.



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."

Get The Miracle Worker Email Alerts

Be the first to get ticket offers, news, photos & more.

BWW Review: CLYBOURNE PARK at Dirt Dogs Theatre Co.
by Brett Cullum - Jun 6, 2022


In the end they still managed to produce a show that asks the hard questions, never flinches from the truth, and captures perfectly what it means to be human. Imperfections be damned.

Broadway Books: 10 Books on Directing to Read While Staying Inside!
by Stephi Wild - Jul 19, 2020


Looking for something new to read while staying inside, but still need your Broadway fix? We've rounded up 10 of our favorite books on directing!

BWW Exclusive: THE 101 GREATEST MOVIE SCENES of All Time - from CITIZEN KANE to PINK FLAMINGOS, from THE SOUND OF MUSIC to PARASITE
by Peter Nason - May 26, 2020


BWW Reviewer Peter Nason chooses the 101 greatest scenes in cinema from 1901 to 2020. See if your favorite movie moments made the list!

BWW Exclusive: The 101 Greatest Musical Theatre Characters (1940-2020)
by Peter Nason - Apr 30, 2020


BWW Reviewer Peter Nason chooses the best musical theatre characters from 1940-2020; see if your favorites are on our list of the best characters from Broadway musicals.

Did You Know... Our Favorite Fun Facts About the 2019 Tony Nominees!
by Alan Henry - Apr 30, 2019


Over the course of each Broadway season, unexpected and unique storylines inevitably pop up. This morning, with the announcement of the 2019 Tony Award nominations, a number of new narratives have come to life.

Laguna Playhouse Presents DRIVING MISS DAISY
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 21, 2018


LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE presents the fourth show in its 98th season, four-time Emmy winner Michael Learned ('The Waltons') and Lance E. Nichols (HBO's 'Treme') staring in the Pulitzer Prize award-winning play, DRIVING MISS DAISY, written by Alfred Uhry and directed by Michael Bloom.  Executive Director Ellen Richard comments, 'We are thrilled to bring in 2019 with this powerful and still vitally important play.' Adds Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham, 'Michael Learned and Lance E. Nichols will ignite the stage with their critically acclaimed powerful portrayals of these iconic characters. Led by our brilliant director Michael Bloom, this is a not-to-be-missed production to start the new year.'  DRIVING MISS DAISY will begin previews on Wednesday, January 9; will open on Sunday, January 13 at 5:30pm and perform through Sunday, January 27, 2019 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Drive in Laguna Beach.

Hollywood Comes To Lakewood With William Goldstein
by Stephi Wild - Oct 27, 2018


World-renowned composer and pianist William Goldstein, who is an Emmy and Tony nominated artist, will be performing at the Historic Strand Theater, 400 Clifton Avenue, Lakewood, at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 28, 2018, to benefit the Lakewood Historical Society.

Seed Art Share Presents THE MIRACLE WORKER
by Stephi Wild - Jun 19, 2018


The story of young Helen Keller and her tenacious teacher Annie Sullivan has captivated audiences and historians for years. In his 1959 play, The Miracle Worker, William Gibson documented the Keller family's journey out of darkness, thanks to Annie's disciplined tutelage. The audience moves throughout the production--retracing the Kellers' month-long emotional journey--in the beautiful Borden Building and surrounding gardens of Raleigh's Fred Fletcher Park. The action happens in and around the audience, providing for a uniquely immersive and transporting experience. Rather than watching from a cold distance, patrons are fully present inside the Keller homestead, the Perkins School for the Blind, and even within Annie Sullivan's subconscious. The production includes a diverse cast of nearly 20 artists, including a number of promising child actors and the Keller family dog.

Theater 294, LI Rep Present THE MIRACLE WORKER
by Julie Musbach - Apr 11, 2018


The Long Island Repertory Co. is presenting The Miracle Worker, William Gibson's classic play about Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan, from April 20 to May 6 at Theater 294.

John James to Star in THE MIRACLE WORKER
by Julie Musbach - Mar 2, 2018


Golden Globe nominee John James headlines the cast of William Gibson's The Miracle Worker at Judson Theatre Company (Morgan Sills, Executive Producer and Daniel Haley, Artistic Director). James is best known for playing "Jeff Colby" in the primetime soap Dynasty and its spinoff series The Colbys.  

BWW Review: Lorraine Hansberry's Powerful A RAISIN IN THE SUN at American Stage - An Ageless Classic Done Right
by Peter Nason - Feb 13, 2018


Director L. Peter Callender guides a stellar cast. You won't see a better RAISIN IN THE SUN anywhere.

THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK Comes to People's Light
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 1, 2018


Building on the Blaine County School District's mission of inspiring, engaging, educating and empowering every student, Company of Fools announces the 21st year of Stages of Wonder-an in-school dramatic arts program that has served as the theatre curriculum in local elementary schools since 1997.

BWW Review: THE MIRACLE WORKER at Cincinnati's Covedale Theatre for the Performing Arts
by Robert Diamond - Sep 27, 2017


What meaning has a production whose roots are over 100 years old? See THE MIRACLE WORKER at Covedale's Theatre for the Performing Arts.

Ribbons Down Their Backs: The Supporting Ladies of HELLO, DOLLY!
by Julie Musbach - May 29, 2017


Hello, Dolly! is one of the most famous Broadway star vehicles, and no production has yet made that clearer than the one with Bette Midler's name floating high atop the marquee (and the 'sold out' sign). But what about the supporting ladies that fill the stage alongside the whirlwind Dolly Levi?

THE MIRACLE WORKER Comes to the Queens Theatre in May
by BWW News Desk - Apr 5, 2017


The Miracle Worker will come to a New York City stage for the first time in seven years when the Queens Theatre features the William Gibson work as its sole annual original production.

BWW Exclusive: A History of Tony Award Winning Plays Becoming Oscar Award Winning Movies
by Katherine Blauvelt - Mar 11, 2017


Late last month, Viola Davis took home the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Rose Maxson in FENCES. Based on the August Wilson play of the same name, FENCES is the story of an African-American family living in the Hill District of Pittsburgh in 1950s.

Geva Theatre Center presents PRIVATE LIVES
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 28, 2017


Geva Theatre Center presents Private Lives, Noel Coward's hilarious comedy of manners.Private Lives is directed by Mark Cuddy and will be performed in the Wilson Stage from March 21 to April 16.

Lorraine Hansberry Awards to Honor Five Native Chicagoans
by Tyler Peterson - May 10, 2016


On May 24, The Lorraine Hansberry Awards, presented by Goodman Theatre Resident Director Chuck Smith and Woodie King, Jr., New Federal Theatre Artistic Director, will honor five women: Micki Grant, Lynn Hamilton, Shauneille Perry, Dr. Glory Van Scott and Camille Yarbrough.

MADE IN AMERICA & More Among MGM's Latest Limited Edition Releases
by Caryn Robbins - Mar 30, 2016


Bring home the latest wave of classics from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment's Cinema Archives vault and MGM's Limited Edition Collection and rediscover classic film titles spanning 60 years from the 1930s to the 1990s.

SAG-AFTRA Releases Statement on Passing of Former SAG President Patty Duke
by Tyler Peterson - Mar 29, 2016


SAG-AFTRA mourns the passing of former Screen Actors Guild President Anna Patty Duke Pearce, better known as Patty Duke. Duke was elected president in 1985, becoming the second female president of the union. Duke was an Oscar and Emmy-winning actor, labor activist, and pioneering advocate for mental health issues. She was 69.

THE MIRACLE WORKER Opens Tonight at CSU Fullerton
by BWW News Desk - Feb 19, 2016


Cal State Fullerton is opening the Tony Award-winning THE MIRACLE WORKER by William Gibson tonight, February 19 (running through March 13) in the Hallberg Theatre on the CSUF campus. Directed by Dr. Joseph Arnold, the docudrama touches on the volatile relationship between the blind, deaf and mute Helen Keller and her teacher Annie Sullivan.

THE MIRACLE WORKER Opening Soon at CSU Fullerton
by BWW News Desk - Feb 5, 2016


Cal State Fullerton is opening the Tony Award-winning THE MIRACLE WORKER by William Gibson on February 19 (running through March 13) in the Hallberg Theatre on the CSUF campus. Directed by Dr. Joseph Arnold, the docudrama touches on the volatile relationship between the blind, deaf and mute Helen Keller and her teacher Annie Sullivan.

Actors Co-Op to Present Tennessee Williams' SUMMER AND SMOKE, 3/2-4/17
by Tyler Peterson - Feb 2, 2016


Actors Co-op (Ovation Award-Winner 2014 Best Intimate Theatre Musical for 110 in the Shade) announces the third show in its 2015-2016 season (and 24th year of producing theatrical excellence in Los Angeles!) with Tennessee Williams masterpiece SUMMER AND SMOKE, directed by Thom Babbes.  SUMMER AND SMOKE will preview on Wednesday, March 2 and Thursday, March 3 at 8pm and will open on Friday, March 4 at 8pm and run through Sunday, April 17 at the Actors Co-op David Schall Theatre, 1760 N. Gower St. (on the campus of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood) in Hollywood.

THE MIRACLE WORKER and More Set for CSU Fullerton Theatre & Dance Spring 2016 Season
by BWW News Desk - Jan 5, 2016


THE MIRACLE WORKER, THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR and INTO THE WOODS headline CSU Fullerton's 2016 spring season. Scroll down for details!

THE MIRACLE WORKER Extends Again Through Jan 17 at Artists Rep
by BWW News Desk - Dec 21, 2015


In light of robust patron demand and excellent press reviews, Artists Repertory Theatre is delighted to announce they will extend THE MIRACLE WORKER for a second time. THE MIRACLE WORKER will now run through January 17, 2016.

The Miracle Worker FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of The Miracle Worker have there been?
The Miracle Worker has had 3 productions including Broadway which opened in 1959, Off-Broadway which opened in 1987 and Broadway which opened in 2010.
What Tony Awards has The Miracle Worker been nominated for?
The Miracle Worker has been nominated for several Tony Awards. These include Best Play, Best Direction of a Play for Arthur Penn, Best Scenic Design of a Play for George Jenkins, and Best Stage Technician for John Walters.
What Tony Awards has The Miracle Worker won?
The Miracle Worker has won several Tony Awards. It won the Best Play award, as well as the Best Direction of a Play award for Arthur Penn. The show also received the Best Scenic Design of a Play award for George Jenkins and the Best Stage Technician award for John Walters.
What awards has The Miracle Worker been nominated for?
The Miracle Worker has been nominated for several awards. It was nominated for Best Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards. In addition, Patty Duke received a nomination for her performance in the play at the Theatre World Awards.
What awards has The Miracle Worker won?
The Miracle Worker has won several awards. It was awarded Best Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards. Patty Duke, who played a role in the show, won the Performance award at the Theatre World Awards.

Videos