What proves decisive is the extraordinary performances, the magnificent teamwork of Anne Bancroft and ten-year-old Patty Duke, and the brilliant direction of Arthur Penn." While noting some of the play's flaws, particularly in the areas of "some knotty Keller family relationships and some eerie Sullivan family memories," which it characterized as "fairly makeshift, at times clumsy, and, when sound-tracking voices from the past, occasionally embarrassing," it praised the scenes that "in the hands of two remarkable actresses, constitute unforgettable theater." The overwhelming force of the play's crucial scenes could not have derived from the stirring facts alone, nor from playwright Gibson's vivid use of them. Time called the original production "a story that, however well known, acquires stunning new reality and affectingness on the stage. Ivy Green, Helen Keller's childhood home, hosts an annual outdoor production which is Alabama's official outdoor drama. In May 2011, Duke continued her career-long involvement with the play by directing a production of it at Interplayers Theatre in Spokane, Washington. Despite critical praise, the revival failed to find an audience and closed on Ap(after 21 previews and 38 regular performances), with the entire $2,600,000 capitalization in the project being lost. The cast featured Matthew Modine as Captain Keller, Jennifer Morrison as Kate Keller, Tobias Segal as James Keller, and Elizabeth Franz as Aunt Ev.
Directed by Kate Whoriskey, the cast starred Alison Pill as Sullivan and Abigail Breslin as Keller. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the play, it was revived on Broadway at the Circle in the Square Theatre, opening on March 3, 2010.
The cast featured Catherine Holman as Keller, Jenny Seagrove as Sullivan, William Gaunt as Captain Keller, Judi Bowker as Kate Keller, and Michael Thornton as Anagnos. The production was directed by Richard Olivier and Bill Kenwright. A revival was produced at Wyndham's Theatre on Augand closed on October 8. It transferred to Wyndham's Theatre in May 1961. The play was produced in the West End in March 1961 with Anna Massey as Sullivan and Janina Faye as Keller. Suzanne Pleshette replaced Anne Bancroft. Patty Duke remained with the play for its entire run. Featured in the cast were Torin Thatcher as Captain Keller, Patricia Neal as Kate Keller, Michael Constantine as Anagnos, and Beah Richards as Viney.
The cast starred Anne Bancroft as Anne Sullivan and Patty Duke as Helen Keller. The production was directed by Arthur Penn with scenic and lighting design by George Jenkins and costumes by Ruth Morley. The play premiered on Broadway at the Playhouse Theatre on Octoand closed on Jafter 719 performances.