The Munster Theatre Company (the Performing Arts Department of Munster High School) is pleased to present the musical inspired by Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic novel, THE SECRET GARDEN, with book/lyrics by Marsha Norman and music by Lucy Simon. The Artistic Staff includes: Larry A Brechner Producer/Director; Carol Lynn Brechner as the Producer/Director; William Woods Music/Orchestra Pit Director; and Laurel Demkovich as Student Director/Choreographer, and Lane Terry & Claire LeMonnier as Assistant Student Directors.
Orphaned in India after a cholera epidemic kills her parents Albert (Billy McDunn) and Rose (Anna Bilse), 11 year-old Mary Lennox (Chloe Jancosek) returns to Yorkshire to live with her embittered, reclusive, hunch-backed widower uncle Archibald Craven (Casey Terry), and his invalid son Colin (Ani Arzumanian). The management of Archibald’s manor house is largely left to his brother, Dr. Neville Craven (Thomas Speranza), his housekeeper Mrs Medlock (Rachel Jamrose), and a chambermaid, Martha (Allison Hemingway). Archibald is still overcome by grief over the death of his wife Lily (Peyton Tinder), Rose’s sister and Mary’s aunt, who appears along with many of the people from Mary’s past as “dreamers” throughout the musical.
Encouraged by Martha to get outside, Mary discovers Ben Weatherstaff (Rohan Chatterjee), the old gardener and Dickon (Drew Adams), Martha’s brother, who befriends Mary in his outdoor world. Archibald meets Mary for the first time and along with Dr Craven, where they see a strong resemblance to Lily in Mary, especially when she asks for “a bit of earth” to plant her own garden. Mary discovers the estate's many wonders that include Lily’s neglected magic garden, locked since her death. The garden beckons the children inside and they decide to secretly restore it to its former glory.
Mary discovers the bedridden Colin, and after a testy first meeting, encourages him to join her in the outdoors. As Lily’s garden is restored, Colin likewise seems to be restored to health. With its haunting melodies and the "Dreamers", spirits from Mary's past who guide her through her new life, dramatizing The Secret Garden's compelling tale of forgiveness and renewal.
The Munster Theatre Company production will feature a select cast of 25 in the production.
The Secret Garden premiered on Broadway at the St. James Theatre on April 25, 1991 running for 709 performances. It won the 1991 Tony Awards for Best Book of a Musical, Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Daisy Eagan), and Best Scenic Design (Heidi Landesman). Eagan at age 11 was the youngest female recipient of a Tony Award.
THE SECRET GARDEN will run Thursday, November 20; Friday, November 21; Saturday, November 22 at 7pm, and Sunday, November 23 at 2pm in Munster Auditorium. Tickets are $7 at the door (senior and student tickets $5). Tickets are available at the Auditorium Box Office on performance nights or in advance by calling: (219) 838-2235, by email at apkinser@munaud.org.