Broadway Producers Appoint Partially-Blind Girl As Abigail Breslin's Understudy

December 11, 2009: Broadway bosses have appeased campaigners for disabled actors by casting a visually impaired girl as ABIGAIL BRESLIN's understudy in THE MIRACLE WORKER, after the star's appointment as a deaf and blind girl was met with criticism.

The Oscar nominee, 13, will make her Broadway debut next year (10) as Helen Keller in the revival of William Gibson's play, about a youngster who is taught how to communicate by her instructor.

Campaigners for impaired actors at the Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts hit out at Breslin's casting, insisting a disabled actress should have been considered for the starring role.

The Miracle Worker's producer, David Richenthal, took note of the advocacy group's comments and invited the Alliance's executive director, Sharon Jensen, to hold auditions for a suitable understudy.

Ten-year-old Kyra Ynez Siegel, who suffered an injury to her right eye at the age of nine which left her with only partial sight, will now stand in for Breslin if the star is forced to miss a performance - but the producer insists she won the role based on her talents alone.

Richenthal tells the New York Times, 'Kyra gave the best audition, showing real acting talent and physical skill and physical stamina. We were aware she had significant vision loss, but I can't say that influenced us one way or another. I'm pleased we found a brilliant young actress as a result of this outreach.'

The Miracle Worker is set to open on 3 March (10), marking the 50th anniversary of the show's Broadway debut.

--IANS-WENN