Southern Utah University students scrambling for a last-minute Valentine’s date night have the opportunity to take a date to the theater thanks to SUU’s production of “The Secret Garden.” The musical, based on the 1911 Frances Hodgson Burnett novel, has a script and lyrics by Marsha Norman with music by Lucy Simon. The department of theatre, dance, and arts administration’s production is directed by Lisa Quoresimo, choreographed by Nancy Dobbs Owen, and music directed by Andrew Flasch.
“Secret Garden” tells the story of a young girl named Mary Lennox, who must move in with her uncle after the death of her parents. Upon arriving at his manor, Mary discovers secrets about the house and its inhabitants while attempting to bring life to an abandoned garden.
“It’s about grief, and specifically moving past grief, like learning how to live with and grow from trauma and those kinds of experiences that are horrible but ultimately can lead you to finding new community and family,” said Hannah Leming, who plays Mary.
The stage musical differs from the book in a number of ways, the largest of which being an expansion of the adult characters’ roles to make them almost as important as the children.
Much of the show is brought to life by an ensemble of “Dreamers,” ghostly figures who partake in many of the expositional moments in the show.
“It’s a very different kind of ensemble role that we play, like the movement required,” said Gabriel Wright, who plays one of the Dreamers. “The music is so beautiful. It is gorgeous and everyone does an incredible job as actors.”
Also bringing the show to life are ghostly puppets, brought to life by assistant costume designer and SUU senior Spencer Smith based on a concept Quoresimo thought of when she first saw the 1991 Broadway production.
“The first day that we saw the puppets dressed and saw the way that they moved, I just broke down and cried,” said Quoresimo. “To have that experience of having this vision in your mind for 30 years, and then seeing it physically in front of you…I’ve never had an experience like this. It’s phenomenal.”
The show will feature a live orchestra, who have learned the music for the show throughout the semester under Flasch’s direction.
“The orchestra is large and phenomenal, and it’s what this show deserves musically,” said Quoresimo.
“Secret Garden” opens Feb. 14 and has performances Feb. 14, 15, and 20-22 at 7:30 p.m., with matinee performances Feb. 15 and 22 at 2 p.m. It is free to SUU students, staff and faculty.
“At its core, theater is about humanity and telling stories, and this is a really beautiful story,” said Wright. “The characters aren’t perfect, but also they’re beautiful, and they grow, and I think people will enjoy that.”
Author: Tessa Cheshire
Photographer: Tessa Cheshire
Editor: Anna Mower
arts@suunews.net
