April 15, 2011—Elizabethtown Area Middle School and High School will present William Gibson’s The Miracle Worker on Thursday, May 5 and Friday, May 6 at 7:00 p.m. in the Elizabethtown Area Middle School auditorium. Please note, this is a change in performance dates. The shows were originally scheduled for April 29 and April 30.

Immortalized onstage and screen by Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke, this classic story tells the story of Annie Sullivan and her student, blind and mute Helen Keller. “The Miracle Worker” dramatizes the volatile relationship between the lonely teacher and her charge. Unable to communicate, Helen is violent and spoiled. Only Annie realizes there is a mind and spirit waiting to be rescued from the dark, tortured silence.

The production includes both middle school and high school students in the cast. Sixth grader Aley Johnson plays Helen Keller and junior Laura Shenk plays teacher, Annie Sullivan. “These two students have really poured their hearts and souls into these roles. There are pages of this script where neither character speaks a word. It really challenges their acting ability and they have worked so hard,” Kevin L. Biddle, the director commented. “I wanted our final show of the season to be a classic show that fits this year’s theme- Acceptance. Tolerance. Action. And this show really fits that bill. It’s a timeless story of how we can overcome life’s challenges and with hard work, perseverance and dedication, we really can do great things.”

Other lead cast members include senior Nicholas J. Lewis as Captain Keller, Junior Hannah Meier as Mrs. Keller and sophomore Garrett Kauffman as James Keller. High school students rounding out the cast includes Kat Allison, Catherine Dice, Brynne Hoffman, Spencer Kenley, Tyler Kolasky, Noah Mitchell, A.J. Peterson, Madison Raleigh, Alexandra Sevareid, Abby Stump and Joe Weidman. Middle school students in the cast include Ashlyn Bevel, Kaylee Hunter, Drew Kraskewicz, Sara Sellers, Kate Suchanec and Kyra Yoder.

General admission tickets will be available 45 minutes prior to each performance. Tickets for adults are $6.00 each and tickets for students and senior citizens are $4.00 each. For more information please check out the EAHS Theater Productions webpage at www.etownschools.org/elizabethtownhs