Wyandotte Girl Takes on Challenging Helen Keller Role

Madeline Baker as Helen Keller, forefront, is pictured with, from left, Meg Kisch as Anne Sullivan, Tom Varitek as Capt. Arthur Keller and James Mayne as James Keller. (Photo by Ashley Sword, via Facebook)

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A Wyandotte girl has taken on the challenging role of Helen Keller in “The Miracle Worker,” which opens for a three-weekend run Friday, Sept. 18, at the Players Guild of Dearborn, had to relea

Madeline Baker, 12, says she has had to learn not to react to noises during scenes, and not to protectively stop herself from bumping into objects in her path, according to The News-Herald.

While preparing for the role, her respect for Keller’s ability to reach the sighted and hearing world has grown.

“I admire her determination to speak out,” Baker said. “To find a way to communicate with everything else.”

“The Miracle Worker,” William Gibson’s 1960 Tony Award-winning Best Play, opens the 88th season at the Players Guild of Dearborn. Directed by Kirk Haas of Inkster, the drama tells the story of teacher Anne Sullivan, who rescued blind, deaf and mute Helen Keller from her inner prison.

Haas said the show is a classic piece of American theater.

“It is a story that is well known, well-written, a story of hope, endurance, and perseverance,” Haas said, “and probably one of the most touching and heartfelt stories ever told, and the amazing thing is, it’s true.”

“This family is so determined,” Kisch said. “They see this person that they know is inside. She needs help, and they want to be able to give her the best life possible, and bring her to her full potential.”

Kisch and Baker worked with Haas for several weeks, blocking the physically demanding scenes, before the rest of the cast began rehearsing.

The role of Helen’s mother, Kate, is played by Kristen Campbell of Canton Township.

“The story is beautiful,” Campbell said. “It is emotional for people to see, and I think just with what Kirk (Haas) has done with it and the cast is doing with it, it is just an amazingly done show.”

The Cast

Annie Sullivan – Meg Kisch

Helen Keller – Madeline Baker

Kate Keller – Kristen Campbell

Captain Arthur Keller – Tom Varitek

James Keller – James Mayne

Aunt Ev – Connie Harrison

Viney – Diane Cliff

Martha – Kate Varitek

Percy – Peter Moore

Anagnos – Tom Sparrow, of Allen Park

Blind Girls – Christina Bertucci, Jamie Paschke, Olivia Kirk, Leah Scarpace and Alia Elhajj

Male Extras

Boy – Cole Haas

Crone 1 – David Wood

Crone 2 – Tim Carney

Crone 3 – Julie Ballantyne Brown

Doctor – Jeff Bartos

Man – Richard Moore

Sign Language Instructor – Leah Scarpace

If You Go

When: 8 p.m. Sept. 18-19, Sept. 25-26, Oct. 2-3; 2:30 p.m. Sept. 20, Sept. 27 and Oct. 4 | Where: Players Guild of Dearborn, 21730 Madison | Cost: $17, with a $2 student discount | More information: (313) 561-TKTS (8587) or playersguildofdearborn.org.