Choice of Abigail Breslin to Play Helen Keller Upsets Deaf and Blind Advocates

Yahoo! ^ | 103009 | Lindsay Robertson

[Artemis Webb]

On Wednesday, the producers of the Broadway revival of the play "The Miracle Worker," about the early life of blind and deaf hero Helen Keller, announced that they'd chosen the young actress who will play her on stage this winter: 13-year-old Oscar nominee Abigail Breslin. The decision has unleashed immediate complaints from groups representing blind and deaf actors who feel that an actress from their community should have been considered for the role.

Sharon Jensen, executive director of the Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts, told the New York Times "We do not think it's OK for reputable producers to cast this lead role without seriously considering an actress from our community." Jensen recognizes the difficulty Broadway plays are having attracting audiences right now, but says "I understand how difficult it is to capitalize a new production on Broadway, but that to me is not the issue. There are other, larger human and artistic issues at stake here."

For his part, the show's producer, David Richenthal, claims that the production was unable to find a blind or deaf child actor with the star power to bring in enough of an audience to justify the show's large budget, saying "It's simply naïve to think that in this day and age, you'll be able to sell tickets to a play revival solely on the potential of the production to be a great show or on the potential for an unknown actress to give a breakthrough performance," he said.

[Artemis Webb]

This reminds me of the controversy in 1991 when the Vietnamese community in New York screamed bloody murder because British actor Jonathan Pryce was given a plum role in Miss Saigon playing a Vietnamese character.

In that case producer Cameron MacKintosh drew a line in the sand and told them that if Pryce didn't have the role the play simply wouldn't come to New York.

Somehow I doubt the producers in this case will have that kind of guts.

[Nachum]

Oh, sometimes I wish people would just grow up. She's a familiar name who'll sell tickets. If the protesters would pony up some of the profit, maybe the producers might take a chance.

Not.

[christianhomeschoolmommaof3]

If they want a blind actress to play the role let them put up their OWN MONEY and produce a play and hire a blind actress. If they are offended then DON’T see they show!

[dynachrome]

Well, South Park’s version was the best anyway.

[pnh102]

Heh... performing arts affirmative action.

[Dr. Sivana]

If they are offended then DON’T see they show!

If they are blind, they won't be seeing the show regardless.

[dangus]

Marlee Matlin is a little old for the role.

[dangus]

This could really cripple ticket sales to the deaf and blind community. (There’s a joke in there about the NY Times critics, if anyone wants to dig it our.)

[JoeProBono]

Abigail Breslin

[christianhomeschoolmommaof3]

Ok wise guy! I meant the ADVOCATES that are upset. ;)

[Arthur McGowan]

Helen Keller is dead.

Shouldn’t they have chosen a dead actress?

[Arthur McGowan]

You are so right! If blind actors are offended by Breslin, they don’t have to see her!

[christianhomeschoolmommaof3]

Alright Mods, please remove my posts from this thread. Yes I am blonde and I don’t need one more reason for people to mock me. Thanks! ;)

[christianhomeschoolmommaof3]

You sir are very funny!

[FrdmLvr]

How can they? They’re blind!

[Tublecane]

I’ve got a better question: why remake the movie at all? Didn’t they cover it with the first one? Find some new plots, Hollywood!

[Misterioso]

Couldn’t Abigail just wear a mask during her performance?

[CaptRon]

The movie was on TCM 2 nights ago. Never whated the whole thing in my youth. Excellent movie. Can’t imagine it could be made any better, including a Broadway play.

[Misterioso]

They’re not remaking the movie.

[Misterioso]

Agree. One of the top ten, IMHO.

[christianhomeschoolmommaof3]

Yes the momentary leave of my senses has been pointed out to me multiple times on this thread. But thanks for your small part in my humilition! ;)

[Tublecane]

“They’re not remaking the movie.”

Yeah, but it’s the same subject, presumably the same plot, and, I predict, will be pretty much the same. So what’s the difference?

Not to say that the same story can’t be told over and over, but with all the remakes, reboots, reimaginings, sequels, prequels, and so forth, there has to be some new material out there waiting to be filmed.

[christianhomeschoolmommaof3]

Yes I realize that I misspelled humiliation. How humiliating! :)

[FrdmLvr]

LOL!

[T Minus Four]

You poor thing, :-)

[Misterioso]

Did you see the movie?

[jwparkerjr]

Q: Did you ever see Helen Keller’s birthplace in Alabama.

A: No? Neither did she.

[Onelifetogive]

I understand how difficult it is to capitalize a new production on Broadway, but that to me is not the issue.

Because it is not your money. Invest your money and cast it anyway you want to...

[Arthur McGowan]

Actually, she did. She didn’t lose her sight and hearing until she was more than a year old.

[McGavin999]

Why is it that all there is coming out these days is remakes of old stuff. Old plays, old movies, nobody has any new ideas or fresh talent.

[xp38]

Keller later in life became a communist. So any dead commie actresses?

[Arthur McGowan]

Was she really a Communist? I know she was a member of the ACLU—maybe even a founding member.

[Arthur McGowan]

I think this is a stage production.

There was a remake—a shot-for-shot remake with Patty Duke playing Annie Sullivan.

But it was in color! Ugh.

Heston remade “A Man for All Seasons.” It LOOKED almost exactly like the 1966 version. But it just wasn’t.

[jwparkerjr]

You’re correct of course. Now that I think of it the joke probably asked if you ever saw the college she attended.

Oops! Thanks!

[Tublecane]

“Did you see the movie?”

The original? Yes. As far as I’m concerned, they pretty much covered it.

[Misterioso]

What, in your mind, was “covered?” The dialog?