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Artisan Center Theater once again graces the mid cities with a spectacular rendition of a Broadway and literary classic.
Based on the 1911 novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, “The Secret Garden” is retold with music and majesty. Book and lyrics by Marsha Norman and music by Lucy Simon first hit Broadway in 1991. Nearly 25 years later, the musical continues to enchant and entertain its audience. Artisan Center Theater has captured the spirit and soul of the musical brilliantly.
The story is set in the early years of the 20th century. Mary Lennox, a young English girl born and raised in the British Raid in India, is orphaned by a cholera outbreak when she is eleven years old. She is sent away from India to Yorkshire England to live with relatives whom she has never met. Her own personality blossoms from selfish, uncaring and self-centered to one of a loving generous nurturing nature. The catalyst for this transformation is the young man Dickon whom she meets, the neglected and hidden garden they bring back to life, and the love that grows in Mary’s heart for her uncle and crippled sickly cousin.
In act one Mary Lennox is seen in India in her bedroom asleep. The 10 year-old girls dreams of English nursery rhymes and Hindi chants. She awakens to learn that her parents, and nearly everyone she knew in India, including her Ayah (nanny), have died of cholera. These dead characters form a chorus to narrate the story. They are referred to in the libretto as “dreamers.” They are Mary’s memories. Dressed in white, they wander in and out of scenes throughout the show much like a Greek chorus and never acknowledged by the living members of the cast.
As the half wild Mary begins to develop a love for growing things and the people around her, she discovers her cousin Colin who has been confined to bed since his birth after his mother died. It was feared that Colin would develop a hunch back and die from complications, when in fact his spine is perfectly normal. Although many try to keep Mary and Colin separated, they persevere with the help of Dickon, and transform not only the abandoned garden, but the lives of everyone in the house.
Artisan Center Theater’s Monday night cast – there are two complete casts for most of ACTs shows – surprised me with it’s cohesion and level of talent. For such a young girl, Sarah Grace Prejean – Marry Lennox – performed well above her age. I would have liked to have seen a bit more transitional characterization between the wild spoiled child we first see to the caring determined Mary at the show’s end. However, Sarah’s wide range of emotions and body language projected the character of Mary without question.
Mary’s counterpart Dickon – Jacob Taylor – was very well cast and paired with Sarah. I was a little disappointed with the softness of his singing. Jacob has a remarkable and charming voice, but it was hard to hear. His extremely heavy use of the Welsh dialect also made it a bit difficult to understand him when he spoke, and especially when he sang.
Although a supporting character, the role of house maid Martha – Alison Borish – was the one I kept wanting to see more of. Her acting and singing talents absolutely steal every scene she’s in. I’m hoping to see more of her in the upcoming ACT season!
Please pay close attention to the “dreamers” chorus while attending the show. ACT has earned a bright plume for their hat with the excellence that this chorus brings to the show.
It was a challenge with this musical adaptation to make a clear differentiation between those who are living and those who are dead, or “dreamers.” Mary’s world is a magical mix of those earthbound, and those unearthly, sent as guardians till she finds a “home” with her Uncle Archie in her Aunt Lilly’s secret garden.
“The Secret Garden” will be running through Oct. 10th, M, T, Th, F, Sat. with curtain at 7:30 and a Sat. 3:00 matinee. Tickets can be purchased online at www.artisanct.com