By Julie Halverson Tate
Photos by Waldron Creative
Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre is known for its stellar, professional productions and this year’s The Secret Garden is no exception. With book and lyrics by Marsha Norman and Music by Lucy Simon, the show is based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, and the musical premiered in 1989 with Virginia Stage Company before making its debut on Broadwayin 1991, where it ran for over 700 performances. It is the story of a young English girl named Mary Lennox (Claire Francis), who lives a charming life in India until her parents and others in her household die from an epidemic of cholera. She is sent to live in England with her reclusive uncle, Archibald Craven (Gabriel Priesser), and his brother, Dr. Neville Craven (Johann Schram Reed). Upon her arrival at the secluded manor house, Lennox is treated coldly by her guardian and many of the staff, but she is befriended by one of the maids, Martha (Mackenzie Rogers), her youthful brother, Dickon (Joe Ogren), and gardener, Ben Weatherstaff (Stephanos Tsirakoglou), who are the only cheerful presence in the house. Mary also discovers that the house seems to be haunted, as she hears crying in the night and feels spirits around her at all times. She finds comfort in the gardens that surround the house, and slowly discovers the painful circumstances that have brought the occupants to this point in time, which include the death of Archibald’s wife, Lily (Emily Dyer Reed), who was also unknowingly loved by her brother-in-law, Neville. Her death left a shadow over the manor and the two men distraught. It is when Mary discovers the source of the crying, a young boy named Colin (Brigham Allen), that the story begins to turn and Mary is able to bring life and joy back to the manor, despite those who would prevent her. Every member of the cast plays an essential role in creating this enchanted story, and young Francis as Mary Lennox carries her role with poise and charm. Her solos seem effortless and youthful and carry her story along nicely. Lennox is such a pivotal role, and Francis does an exquisite job showing her transformation from a spoiled, proper girl who lost everything to a loving, kind, nurturing young woman who loves those around her. Priesser first presents Archibald as a brooding and ornery recluse, and does an impeccable job at gradually releasing details of his character’s pain. His rich vocals reach out into the audience and draw them into his world, particularly during the powerful and revealing duet with Reed, “Lily’s Eyes.” Both men present their love-triangle stories in this moving song, and these two actors inject emotion and vocal power into their performances. If standing ovations were customary after a stellar performance within a production, I have no doubt that this duet would result in one.
Each solo fills the room with beauty, and the technical ability of every soloist in the cast is stunning, and the ensemble numbers, which provide important history details and provide critical backstory for the habitants of the manor, are vocally exquisite as well. An additional charming touch is the children’s ensemble, which plays birds and trees and garden ivy. They come in particularly handy during Ogren’s song, “Wick,” which is fun and spirited. Another poignant performance is when Reed, as the ghost of Lily, sings the emotional, “How Could I Ever Know” and reminds Archibald, and the audience, why the risk of loving is worth it even though the future is unknown. Additionally, Allen as young Colin, charms the audience with his lovely yet haunting boy soprano in “Round-shouldered Man.”
By the end of the production, when the negative intentions of Dr. Neville are revealed and foiled by the light, love, and healing that young Lennox has brought to the manor, we also learn that Archibald has also allowed Lily’s ghost to soften his own heart, just in time to allow the gardens and the entire manor to return to life. It is this beautiful message that warms our hearts and reminds us to hang on through the darkest of times until life can return and heal our wounds, and that love, joy, companionship, and a little fresh air can heal even the most wounded of souls.
Under the direction of Vanessa Ballam and Chorus Master/Coach Sara Chiesa, every aspect of this production is stunning. The Set Design (Jack Shouse), which includes ivy-covered stone garden walls and period bedding and furnishings, carries the audience back in time. The Costume Design (Noelle Claire Raffy) and Wig and Makeup Design (Georgianna Eberhard) are brilliant and charming. The Lighting Design (Chris Wood) is pivotal to the production, and the subtle differences in brightness and color differentiate the important distinction between the living characters and the spirits who haunt the house. The live orchestra, conducted by Maestro Karen Keltner, contributes an additional enchanting feature to the production, and this orchestra plays a beautiful score.
It is well worth the drive to beautiful Logan to become lost in Lily’s garden with Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre’s stunning cast of characters. This cast, set, and crew provide a beautifully enchanting production of The Secret Garden that reminds us to reach for light and each other, and that love and life can be found in unexpected places– it is the young, orphaned Mary Lennox who has nothing left to her name who brings an entire manor back to life.
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Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre presents The Secret Garden by Marsha Norman, Music by Lucy Simon, based on the book by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Ellen Eccles Theatre, 43 South Main Street, Logan, UT 84321
July 7, 13, 19, August 4, 7:30 PM, July 21, 17, August 2, 1:00 PM
Tickets: $16-79 – Ticketing Site
Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre Website
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