Contact: Sammy McDavid
STARKVILLE, Miss.--An April 6 stage performance of "The Miracle Worker" will conclude Mississippi State's 2013-14 Lyceum Series.
Performed by the Montana Repertory Theatre, William Gibson's mesmerizing dramatization tells the true story of tutor Anne Sullivan's efforts to help Helen Keller, a blind and deaf six-year-old living with her parents in Northwest Alabama. Under Sullivan's inspired guidance and seemingly infinite patience, the child successfully overcame her disabilities and found her way in the world of knowledge and understanding.
Unlike previous weeknight Lyceum events, this play will take place on a Sunday. The curtain also will rise earlier at 6 p.m. in Lee Hall's Bettersworth Auditorium.
Because of continuing Lee Hall renovations, all seating this year is general admission only. General admission tickets are $18 each; $15 for MSU employees. MSU students with valid identification cards may obtain free tickets at the office or the door.
Based in Missoula, the Montana Repertory Theatre is an outreach activity of the University of Montana's School of Theatre and Dance. Established as a professional touring company in 1967, its stated mission is "to tell the great stories of our world to enlighten, develop, and celebrate the human spirit in an ever-expanding community."
Though initially centered in Montana, Wyoming, Utah, California, Texas, and Nebraska, Montana Rep, as it's usually known, began to tour nationally in the late 1990s. For more, visit www.montanarep.org.
Keller (1880-1968), whose early life is the focus of this year's tour, was born and reared in Tuscumbia, where her father edited the local newspaper.
After becoming the first deaf and blind person to earn a college degree, she went on to have a career as a prolific author, political activist and public speaker. Her birthday, June 27, first was commemorated as Helen Keller Day in Pennsylvania before President Jimmy Carter authorized it at the federal level in 1980.
For additional information on this and future Lyceum events, contact series director Amelia Treptow at 662-325-2930 or atreptow@saffairs.msstate.edu.