Miracle Worker opening at Compass Rose
From February 10, 2012 to March 11, 2012, Compass Rose Studio Theater continues its inaugural season with The Miracle Worker by William Gibson. Compass Rose Studio Theater, a not-for-profit professional theater and studio, opened its doors to students in April 2011. Located in the Eastport Shopping Center, the studio offers a wide range of classes and workshops as well as a full season of professional theater productions.
The Miracle Worker, directed by Lucinda Merry-Browne, Compass Rose's founder and Artistic Director, tells the true story of Helen Keller's discovery of language. Helen Keller was blind and deaf from infancy. The Kellers, a wealthy Southern family, desperately sought a cure for their daughter. In their utmost despair, they looked to a school in the North where they found Annie Sullivan, a poor student. In this wonderful play, Annie travels south to live with the Kellers and attempts to tame Helen's wildness and educate her. The play focuses around Annie's determination to reach Helen by any means and find the key to unlock the mystery of language for young Helen. In helping Helen, Annie finds love in herself. The play is spellbinding and will touch the hearts of all.
In the title role of Helen is 11 year old Annalie Ellis. Annalie is a sixth grader from Millersville and is home schooled. Playing Annie Sullivan is Colleen Marie Arnold. Colleen has a B.F.A. in Musical Theater from Emerson College in Boston and has performed locally as well as in Boston and Colorado. Chris Briante plays Keller, Helen's father. Chris has a Master's degree in Educational Theater from NYU and is a member of Actors' Equity Association. He has performed regionally, in New York and on national tours as well as in film and television. Jonathan Rubin is cast as James, Keller's eldest son. Jonathan graduated from Goucher College and has experience performing in Baltimore, Washington D.C., Philadelphia and New York. Murjani Sowell is performing as Viney, the Keller's maid. Murjani is new to acting and is making her professional stage debut. Rebecca Dreyfuss plays Helen's mother Kate. Rebecca graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Theater Arts and has many regional credits and well as film and voice over experience. Tim Wolf plays both the Doctor and Mr. Agangnos. Tim has studied acting with Compass Rose's resident teaching artist Brandon McCoy and has performed locally in both plays and musicals. Rounding out the cast are two Compass Rose Studio Theater students, Kennedy Smith and Rachel Opert. Kennedy, who plays Martha, lives in Annapolis and is a fourth grader at West Annapolis Elementary. She has performed with Children's Theater of Annapolis and was most recently seen in Compass Rose's summer class production of Tartuffe. Rachel is a fifth grader at Key School and has studied with Lucinda Merry-Browne at Compass Rose Studio Theater. She has performed at Children's Theater of Annapolis and McLean Community Theater.
The Miracle Worker opens February 11, 2012 and runs Thursdays-Sundays through March 11th at Compass Rose Studio Theater located at 1011 Bay Ridge Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland in the Eastport Shopping Center. Our theater is fully handicapped accessible. Tickets are available online through our website at www.compassrosetheater.org or by calling 410-980-6662. There will be two sign interpreted performances, dates to be announced. For information about classes and workshops, please visit the Compass Rose website. Our final professional production for the 2011-2012 season will be Oliver! a lively musical which opens April 27, 2012.