Abigail Breslin As Helen Keller? Not If Advocacy Group Has Anything To Say About It

I’m not really sure what to say about this story, It appears Abigail Breslin’s role as Helen Keller in a Broadway remake of William Gibson’s “The Miracle Worker” is being challenged by an advocacy group representing blind and deaf actors.

The group “Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts” which represents blind and deaf actors has decided to take issue with the productions choice of casting, while stating that someone with “her disabilities” should take on the role.

First, I must state that I’m all for blind and deaf actors taking roles in movies, commercials, Broadway plays, etc. but let’s face it, acting is acting and if you do it well you should be able to play any role you’re qualified and selected for. After all it’s called “acting” not “act like you do in everyday life.” Second, acting often means big names get jobs based on their ability to draw in audiences, Breslin is a well known name, hence she gets the job.

The organizations executive director Sharon Jensen took her position one step further telling the  The New York Times that she opposed the casting because:

“We do not think it’s OK for reputable producers to cast this lead role without seriously considering an actress from our community. 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.”

Sorry if the “capitalization” of a production is not of concern to you Sharon, but in the real world, especially during a recession, the capitalization of the production is of the utmost importance.