The Phoenix Theatre for children will employ deaf and blind actors for its production of The Miracle Worker Jan. 9-18 in Studio One of the Riffe Center, 77 S. High St.

The play focuses on the story of Helen Keller, who unlocked the mystery of communication despite the challenges of being both blind and deaf. She did so with the help of her unwavering mentor and teacher Annie Sullivan.

Following the success of Phoenix’s critically-acclaimed 2007 bilingual production of The Secret Garden, The Miracle Worker will utilize local deaf, hearing, and blind actors on stage together and integrate both American Sign Language and spoken English.

The Miracle Worker will feature an all-local cast of 17 actors, nine of which are children. Drawing from the Columbus Public Schools’ Hearing Impaired Program, the Ohio School for the Deaf, and Franklin County Deaf Services, eight deaf actors were selected for the production, including both lead roles.

Seven-year-old Hilliard resident and deaf actress Reagan Belhorn will perform the role of Helen Keller. She will play opposite Linworth resident and deaf actress Julie Stewart who will play Annie Sullivan. Columbus resident and deaf actor Stephen Rute will play Helen’s father, Captain Keller.

They are joined by six hearing actors and three blind actors. Otterbein student Sarah Hiance, who performed the role of Lilly in Phoenix’s 2007 bilingual presentation of The Secret Garden, will return to play Helen’s mother, Kate Keller.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children and can be purchased at the Ohio Theatre Ticket Office (39 E. State St.), all Ticketmaster outlets, and at www.ticketmaster.com. To purchase tickets by phone, call 614-469-0939 or 614-431-3600.

For more information about the production, visit www.phoenix4kids.org.