Monday, March 29, 2010

Curtain Falls on Broadway Revival

The last performance of The Miracle Worker on Broadway will be Easter Sunday. The revival of the story of Helen Keller starred teenage actress Abigail Breslin 50 years after it first came to Broadway. Producers blame disappointing ticket sales. Breslin was an Academy Award nominee for her role in the movie Little Miss Sunshine. Critics praised her effort although the show itself got mixed reviews. Many in the blind and deaf community objected to the selection of Breslin for the role of Keller since no deaf or blind actress auditioned for the part. Producers insisted selecting a "star" to play the role was essential to the play's financial success. But apparently, it was not enough. The show had 21 previews and 38 regular performances. It lost $2.5 million.