It was good news for theater goers; Broadway is staging a new production of "The Miracle Worker" and making it even more interesting is the casting of Hollywood's' Abigail Breslin in the role of Helen Keller.

You may have seen her in "Little Miss Sunshine" and recently in "Zombieland." She's a very talented young actress. Only one problem. She's neither blind nor deaf and some people feel that should disqualify her.

The executive director of the Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts just told the N.Y. Times that "The Role of Helen should go to someone from our community." Our community apparently means instead of finding that rare young actress that can handle the extraordinarily demanding part created by Patty Duke -- no first look for sensitive, experienced actress around 12 years old, oh yes - make sure she's blind and deaf.

Everyone should have an opportunity to do anything but opportunity should not negate talent. Jay Leno wasn't given the Tonight Show because he's dyslexic. Jack Nicklaus had polio but he didn't get into his first tournament because of it. And all of you with big noses please don't expect that to give you an edge if someone is looking for a Cyrano. Unless you can say all those words!