The Miracle Worker Celebrates Broadway Opening

By Christopher Moore, Broadway Magazine

Stars, friends and family turned out to celebrated the Opening Night of The Miracle Worker on Broadway. The classic story of the childhood of Helen Keller, who became blind and deaf after a childhood illness in the 1880s, returns to Broadway for the first time in 50 years. Broadway.tv and Broadway Magazine were there on the red carpet to celebrate. The production stars Abigail Breslin, Alison Pill, Matthew Modine, Jennifer Morrison, Tony Award winner Elizabeth Franz and more.

"Matthew is a very good friend and I adore him so I'm very excited. He's been on Broadway and his wife has been cheating with me, taking me to Knicks games, so now I'm addicted to Knicks games. I had no interest before, and now I'm addicted to Knicks games," confesses Mario Cantone before the opening night performance.

Broadway Show: The Miracle Worker

"I'm so excited. Some really great actresses tonight. So excited," offers Edie Falco, a great artist in her own right.

"Matthew Modine and Carrie Modine are very good friends of ours...I love everything he does. When he told me he was doing this, I couldn't wait to be invited. I actually invited myself," smiles singer and actor Lynda Carter.

"Very excited. Very proud of my wife. I don't know if anybody knows this but my wife directed the show," shares Broadway star and Tony nominee Daniel Breaker. The acclaimed director of the Pulitzer Prize winning play Ruined, Kate Whoriskey is staging The Miracle Worker in the round.

After the show, the cast and crew gathered to celebrate opening night. With a mix of joy and relief, the cast seemed happy with the performance, and ready for their run.

"Both things are draining (film and television). To do it every night is kind of crazy. You get really tired during the show," acknowledges actress Abigail Breslin, clearly energized after the opening night performance. Ms Breslin reportedly injured her hand during a preview performance, but is feeling better now. The Academy Award nominated star is earning critical praise for her performance as Helen Keller.

"I feel great," beams the amazing Alison Pill, who stars as Dr. Annie Sullivan, who says she is ready now to come back on Friday to start the show again.

"It's been great to have the previews, so that we could enjoy tonight," glows star Jennifer Morrison, who also stars in House on Fox, and was in the hit film Star Trek.

"It's extraordinary. It's Broadway. Broadway is the pinnacle. I've worked in London in the West End, in Chicago. To have an opportunity to perform on Broadway is extraordinary," reflects star Matthew Modine. The Golden Globe winner and Emmy Award nominee is making his Broadway debut in this production.

The Miracle Worker features scenic design by Derek McLane, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Kenneth Posner, original music and sound design by Rob Milburn & Michael Bodeen, hair design by Charles LaPointe, and physical coaching and movement by Lee Sher.

The Broadway show is produced by David Richenthal, Eric Falkenstein, Randall L. Wreghitt, Barbara & Buddy Freitag, Dan Frishwasser, Joseph J. Grano, Jr., Mallory Factor, Cheryl Lachowicz, Martha Falkenberg, Bruce J. Carusi & Susan Altamore Carusi, Lynn Shaw, David & Sheila Lehrer; in association with Connie Bartlow Kristan and Jamie deRoy/Remmel T. Dickinson.

Watch the entire opening night video and clips of the production right here on Broadway.tv.