rOcKS @ 'The Miracle Worker'

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 2/24/10 at 5:36pm

I saw it this afternoon and enjoyed it. It's nothing spectacular but it's very engaging, thanks mostly to the two great lead performances from Pill & Breslin.

Pill's accent is a little all over the place, but she's still reliably strong, carrying 90% of the show (in terms of lines). Breslin is even better, though, in a very, very tough role. She's really moving and she is giving a really noteworthy Broadway debut. To have your first performance on Broadway be one wherein you play Helen Keller is pretty brave. And she excels wonderfully. If she can create such a vivid character without speaking, imagine what she could do with a speaking role. I hope this isn't the last we see of her on the stage.

Matthew Modine is the only other cast member really worth mentioning. Everyone else is fine enough.

I was in the 100 seats and I saw everything and tried to see if I could notice the actors having their backs to certain sections but I really didn't notice anything. Maybe because I could see very well from my seat. My problem with the direction, however, is that it's just boring. After doing a great job with RUINED, Whoriskey seems a bit unsure as to how to utilize the "in the round" staging to her advantage. Then again, after Warchus' brilliant staging of THE NORMAN CONQUESTS, it will be hard for any show to stack up in terms of direction in the round.

It's a fine revival. It's really nothing stellar or worth running to but if you get the opportunity, see it. The final scene in particular is really very moving and gorgeous.

The theater was about 50% full. It should be interesting to see what the critics have to say about this one.

*** out of ****

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 2/24/10 at 5:56pm

Breslin was my favorite part of the play. She is amazing!