If She is Wick She’ll Grow in The Secret Garden in the Murray Park Amphitheater

By Amy Metler

The Secret Garden based on the 1911 novel of the same name by Frances Hodgson Burnett is a fabulous summer evening activity for date night, family night, or girls night out, and is currently playing at the Murray Park Amphitheater.  The story of the musical is set in the early years of the 20^th Century and centers around Mary Lennox, a young English girl born and raised in the British Raj, or India while it was under British rule.  Mary is orphaned at 10 years of age during a cholera outbreak which kills her mother, father, and Indian nanny, or Ayah.  Mary is sent to Yorkshire, England to live with her uncle, Archibald Craven, the widower of her mother’s sister Lily.  She has never met her uncle, nor her sickly cousin Colin, nor Dr. Neville Craven, Archibald’s brother charged with caring for Colin as well as the manor, as Archibald is gone more than he is home.  Mary befriends the maid Martha and her brother Dickon and with their help and encouragement she discovers Lily’s secret garden, that was abandoned at her death, and works to bring it back to life.  The musical’s script and lyrics by Marsha Norman and the music written by Lucy Simon  (yes she’s Carly’s older sister) is simply delectable.

Young Mary Lennox played by Lucie Murphy

Colin Craven played by Alan Wankier

I have not had the chance to go to the Murray Park Amphitheater since it was remodeled a few years ago, and the new additions, particularly to the backstage area, lighting, and the technical booth are quite impressive.  As a side note, I attended The Secret Garden with my mother who is temporarily in a wheelchair, and I was also impressed with the amount of wheelchair seating plus the ease of navigating the theater.  The opening scene features a picture-perfect moment of foreshadowing, brilliantly staged by director Brighton Sloan.  Sloan’s use of Fakir (Nathan Krishnan) and Ayah (Teresa Jack) adds an element of black magic and conjuring to the story, as they get the living characters on a path of happiness.  Overall, the show is very well cast and every actor is strong and fits well within the group.  Sloan designed a simple yet beautiful set that easily transforms from inside the manor, to outside on the moor, to inside the garden.   Stephanie Bruckman designed beautiful costumes and I particularly liked that all the spirits are costumed in white, which contrasts with the other costumes to create the several contrasting worlds of the story.  Musical Director Andrea Fife did an exceptional job and all the vocals sound amazing.  I was especially impressed as more than once a song has an a capella section and when rejoined by the orchestra there are no pitch problems.  I always love it when there is a live orchestra because they seem to be few and far between.  Conductor Mark Pierce leads a talented group of musicians and makes the entire production feel more dynamic.   While there is not a lot of dancing in the show, choreographer Sarah Bringhurst adds just enough to put another layer on the show and make it that much better.  She keeps the movements simple and the cast executes them perfectly.

Fakir played by Nathan Krishnan

Ayah played by Teresa Jack

The young lead, Lucie Murphy, exudes the right pouty, not-so-likeable air as Mary, the spoiled brat orphan.  Murphy combines childhood innocence and undeniable sass, and it’s exciting to watch her develop and grow and come to life as she does the same with the garden.  Murphy has a commanding presence on stage that rivals any adult and at times one forgets she is a 12-year-old little girl.  She is a delight to watch and a true star.  Murphy has a beautiful clear voice and one of my favorite moments was when she sang “Round-Shouldered Man” with A.J. Wankier (Colin).  Wankier also displays talents beyond his 13 years and although much of the production he is laying in a bed, his use of facial expressions and voice inflection bring the character of Colin to life.  Wankier sings like an angel and then perfectly portrays the stuck-up, soon-to-be master of the house.  At one point when his uncle, Dr. Neville Craven (David Peterson), gives Colin a shot to sedate him, Wankier is so believably distraught the audience audibly gasped.  He shares a tender moment with the spirit of his mother Lily (Aimee Pike) in “Lift Me Up/Come to My Garden” that is one of the more emotional parts of the production.

Archibald Craven played by Logan Bradford

Dr. Neville Craven played by David Peterson

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One of my favorite songs is “In Lily’s Eyes,” and I was not disappointed in the performance by Peterson and Logan Bradford (Archibald Crane).  When their voices harmonize and blend beautifully,  I am reminded why I love the song.  Bradford very convincingly plays the tormented Archibald Crane and the audience sees and feels his agony caused by the pain of losing Lily, as well as the love and tenderness he feels toward his son, along with his fear of showing it.  Peterson keeps you guessing as to whether Dr. Neville Craven is the evil villain attempting to take over the manor or whether he is doing his best and has altruistic motives.

Pike is flawless as Lily and the audience can sense her desire that her husband, son, and niece find the happiness they are lacking and knows the key to that happiness is found in bringing her garden back to life.  Pike’s vocals are beautiful; she effortlessly sings and her vocals hover much like a spirit would.  Krishnan is eerily creepy as he conjures magic and sets events in motion, and he effectively demands attention from the audience.  His partner in crime, Ayah, played by Colton, is as beautiful as she is mysterious.  Krishnan and Colton say very little throughout the play, yet they both are exceptional at telling their stories and developing the plot.  (Note Colton only performs August 10-11.)

Lily Craven played by Aimee Pike

Martha played by Sydney Carlson

Anson Bagley (Dickon) is fun-loving and teaches Mary the power of nature.  Bagley’s accent is spot on and he exudes the light heartedness of Dickon in his movements.  One can’t help but to fall in love with Dickon as Bagley sings, dances, and works his way into your heart.  Sydney Carlson is Martha, Dickon’s older sister and Mary’s chambermaid, and effectively makes you like her from the beginning.  She beautifully and powerfully sings “Hold On”, giving Mary the courage to follow her heart’s desires.  Jim Dixon is an audience favorite in his portrayal of the old gardener Ben Weatherstaff.  Dixon is able to add a bit of comedy to the death and gloom, and he’s very entertaining.

The Secret Garden, presented by Murray City Cultural Arts as part of Arts in the Park in the Murray Park Amphitheater, runs for two and a half hours and is suitable for all ages.  There are moments of magic which may be sensitive to young children. However, this is a lovely show in a beautiful setting. Bring your friends and family and maybe a hankie or two.

Murray City Cultural Arts presents The Secret Garden. Script and Lyrics by Marsha Norman. Music by Lucy Simon.
Murray Park Amphitheater, 495 East 5300 South, Murray, Utah  84107
August 10-11, 13, 16-18, 2018 8:00 pm
Tickets: $8-10 purchase
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