Casting of Abigail Breslin as Helen Keller Angers Deaf, Blind Groups

By PopEater Staff Posted Oct 29th 2009 12:25PM

It was announced Wednesday that 13-year-old Abigail Breslin will play Helen Keller in the Broadway revival of 'The Miracle Worker' this winter. But the news is being met with extreme opposition by blind and deaf advocacy groups, simply because of Breslin's ability to see and hear.

"We do not think it's O.K. for reputable producers to cast this lead role without seriously considering an actress from our community," said Sharon Jensen, executive director of the Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts, to the New York Times. "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."

The show's producer, David Richenthal, made it clear that he wanted a star to play Keller in order to ensure commercial success, and he was unable to find a blind or deaf child actor who fit the bill. Breslin's star power stems from her Academy Award nomination for her role as Olive in 'Little Miss Sunshine.'

"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. "I would consider it financially irresponsible to approach a major revival without making a serious effort to get a star."

The producers do plan to audition blind and deaf actresses for Breslin's understudy, however, in a compromise that Richenthal says will still allow for high ticket sales. But he stressed that a seeing and hearing actress may be cast as understudy if they cannot find a "qualified" deaf or blind actress.

Helen Keller was a deaf and blind author and activist. 'The Miracle Worker' follows the relationship between Keller and Anne Sullivan -- the woman who taught her to communicate.

Tags: abigail breslin, AbigailBreslin

Comments

(111)

Friday 30 October

By Mindy

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Actors/actress' who can hear and see potray people who cant in so many movies/tv shows.. How is that any different? It would be time consuming to actually hire a person who is blind and deaf, no offense, its just the truth.

By bob

oh no now everybody has to be deaf and blind to act?! what more does this world's blind and deaf advocacy groups want? next year if saw VII comes out do we need deaf and blind people in that as well? its going to far with these groups now they find every little thing to nick pick about and try to gain attention. i felt bad for the deaf and blind and now with this stunt i think i could be able to make fun of them.

By fishheads

Stupid people. That's why they call it ACTING. A blind deaf person just MIGHT miss her stage cues. Give it a break people. PC is destroying the country, along with Rap music. There is nothing left to defend, you know?

By Robert

No doubt the producer has the right to spend his money the way he sees fit. That is no reason for the insensitive comments posted here. The only reason there are so many stupid comments here is because theres probably not to many blind or deaf people on the computer. That doesn't mean they shouldn't have a voice. That's like saying Republicans shouldn't have a voice on health care simply because Obama won.

By MARY

Who the hell cares what star or unknown plays a part in a Broadway show. Get the best actor-actress and hope the show is a hit. As far a disabled or whatever they are called these days, they can enjoy many things with the items that are specially made for them. They do the best they can.

By Mike

Posting here won't do much. Why not e-mail the oh-so-PC Sharon Jensen at Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts??? Their website only provides one e-mail address: info@inclusioninthearts.org But, maybe you can try variations of Jensen's name @ their domain. (Their website is http://www.inclusioninthearts.org/mainframe.htm
Hard to imagine that even among left-wing artists there can be a sub-organization that's even more whacked out.

By Brian

whats the point of complaining about the casting the blind can't see the play anyway. and the deaf that do go just have to watch a silent performance that any person is competent of doing.

By MaryAnn

If the Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts wants a deaf and blind actress to play the part, then let them put on their own production using their own money. No one should be forced - or embarrassed - into kowtowing to interest groups; this equality/diversity thing is getting ridiculous. Instead of concentrating on basic human rights, they worry about insignificant things, such as having a real deaf and blind person play the part of one. There are better battles to fight...the Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts needs to learn this important lesson.

By TJT

"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."Sharon Jensen, executive director of the Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts, to the New York Times. No Sharon, I don't think you have a clue. Get your Alliance to fund this project and then tell us how "you understand".

By radicaltomato

OMG!!!!..OMG!!!!..There is rioting in the streets!!!..The uproar!!!!...Peole are killing each other over this...Buildings burning...Cars being tipped over!!!...IT'S KAOS!!!!..I see the Four Horsemen of the Apocolypse!!!...THE END OF THE WORLD!!!!...2012 HAS COME EARLY!!!!

By Jon

could be worse...

"...starring Mr. T as Hellen Keller..."

By John

Seriously? People, not everything is a slap in the face. I had no idea the blind/deaf community was so sensitive, I thought they were more reasonable than that. A play is a lot more challenging for a blind/deaf actor to participate in, hell for the blind it can be downright dangerous with all the props and set changes moving about right where everyone walks.

By donamedina

I think Abby would be a great actress for the part! Not only can she act, she has a radiance that shines from within which I think Helen Keller also had. She will do a marvelous job just as Patty Duke and Melissa Gilbert did onscreen.

As someone with Autism, I demnand that everyone bow at my feet and offer me money and such, so as not to offend me.

By Lynn

This is not a "movie", which allows many takes and then editing puts everything together. These actors will be required to work nonstop in a LIVE performance. When unexpected things happen in a live performance the actors must be able to continue on with the show. The hours are long and rigorous. Can a deaf/blind person deal with the realities of a broadway production? It's a huge job for a person without disabilities. Theoretically having a deaf/blind in the role is great... realistically, it may not be the best idea.

Saturday 31 October

By Jamie

Actually, yes, a deaf person has been in a Broadway role as the star! Does anyone remember Phyllis Frelich in the role of Sarah in Children of a Lesser God in the 1970s?

By GotEdge

The purpose of these plays is to allow the sighted to enter the world of the blind and the hearing the world of the deaf to develop better understanding and a sense of connectedness. If this was a seminar on the conditions of blindness and deafness and how the blind and deaf should be treated, of course, the participants should be those who deal with the issue in their lives everyday. But a play is for actors. If there is a blind/deaf 12 year old actress who auditions for the part, she should be judged against the skills of the others who audition. Patty Duke Astin was a brilliant child actor who played the role to a fare-thee-well! It is about the acting, not her state of being in the real world.

There were a number of actors who played the role of Hitler in plays and movies, including Charlie Chaplin and Jack Benny. The criteria for the role didn't include invading Poland first or even having been born out of wedlock in Austria!

By Bad MotherFucker

Wah, wah, wah ... The majority of people in this country have become big, wet p*ssies!
Stop complaining about everything.

...and it's everybody - whites, blacks, hispanics, homosexuals, democrats, republicans, christians, muslims, athiests!

Jesus f*cking, mohammed, cracker Christ! Get a life you bunch of fagg0ts!!

By JD

What a bunch of idiots. I don't imagine that the various special interest groups are going to contribute the extra money it will cost to produce a stage play directing a blind and/or deaf actor. They want what they want, but the producers have to pay for it. Patty Duke won her oscar for playing Helen Keller in the movie, no one complained then. Maybe it was different times, but I think some people and groups just like to hear themselves talk or to get free publicity.

This is terrible!!!...I'm going to slaughter all my farm animals in the name of CROMDOOR...Dark lord of the nether regions, Then for fun light my house on fire so i can hear the happy red trucks come to the rescue......Halloween tomorrow, Lets go egging!!

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