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Blind Actors Blast Breslin Pick for Keller
Advocates complain that blind, deaf had no chance to audition
By Rob Quinn
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Posted Oct 30, 09 2:54 AM CDT
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(Newser)
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Advocates for blind and deaf actors complain that they were never given a chance to audition for the role of Helen Keller in an upcoming revival of The Miracle Worker. The part has instead been given to Abigail Breslin, best known for playing Olive in Little Miss Sunshine. The Broadway show's producer says it would have been naïve and "financially irresponsible" to even consider giving the role to anybody except a proven star.
Deaf or blind actresses will get a chance to audition to be Breslin's understudy, the producer said. The director of the Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts advocacy group conceded that it's difficult to finance Broadway shows, but said there are "larger human and artistic issues at stake here.” If deaf or blind actors don't get the chance to try out for roles that could make them stars, then there will never be any deaf or blind stars for producers to cast, she tells the New York Times.