A special spirit and charm weaves its way through the Manatee Players production of “The Secret Garden.” The same qualities that allow the rebirth of a neglected garden to bring a new outloook to grief-stricken characters also enliven every aspect of the production performances in this lovingly staged musical.
Judah Woomert as Colin Craven and Samantha Crawford as his cousin Mary Lennox in the Manatee Players production of the musical "The Secret Garden." JANET POELSMA PHOTO/PROVIDED BY MANATEE PLAYERS
The rarely seen musical by composer Lucy Simon and playwright/lyricist Marsha Norman, also has the potential to cast a spell over the audience once the performers more gracefully ease into their performances. Many of the singers sounded a little tight in the first act during Thursday’s opening night, but warm feelings flowed by the end as the ghosts of lost loved ones bring new hope to the living.
Director and choreographer Rick Kerby and some fine designers take audiences around the world in a story that begins in India with a cholera epidemic that leaves young Mary Lennox an orphan. She is sent to the English countryside to live with her hunchbacked Uncle Archibald Craven, who has been in a 10-year funk since the death of his wife, Lily. He has left the care of their supposedly sickly son, Colin, to his jealous doctor brother, Neville, who also loved Lily.
Mary’s dark mood fits right in, but her attitude begins to change with the encouragement of her spunky nanny, Martha (Kaliska Wiley), whose brother Dickon, played with energy by Cole Kornell, has a knack for making flowers and people bloom.
Ken Mooney’s sets and projections fill the stage without overwhelming the space, with lots of attractive moving pieces, including a gracefully used set of metal stairs that keeps the action moving. Joseph P. Oshry’s lighting captures the brightening mood with subtle shifts that even give a different glow to the large picture frame that surrounds the stage. Becky Evans’ costumes suit the early 20th century period and tell us a lot about the characters.
Steve Dawson, left, and Kenn C. Rapczynski play brothers in the Manatee Players production of "The Secret Garden," a musical based on the classic story by Frances Hodgson Burnett. JANET POELSMA PHOTO/PROVIDED BY MANATEE PLAYERS
The characters are brought to vibrant life by an engaging cast that features Kenn C. Rapczynski as the brooding Archibald, Sarah Cassidy as the ghost of Lily and Steve Dawson as Neville. They each possess fine voices, which at their best, bring joyous sounds to “Lily’s Eyes,” and “How Could I Never Know.” Rodd Dyer is a fun old codger as the gardner.
Kerby has double cast the roles of Mary and Colin. On Thursday, Samantha Crawford as Mary and Judah Woomert as Colin convey a nervous wariness until they grow close and more buoyant. (Emma Devine and Sam Howells play the roles at other performances).
From left, Samantha Crawford as Mary, Judah Woomert as Colin and Cole Kornell as Dickon in "The Secret Garden" at the Manatee Players. JANET POELSMA PHOTO/MANATEE PLAYERS
Musical director Rick Bogner has done some fine work with the cast on a challenging but melodic score, though you might wish for a few more instruments to provide a fuller sound in the background. The large chorus sounds good on the multi-part harmonies, but less sure in brief solo lines.
Together they draw us in and, by the end, make us feel renewed and appreciative for what we have in life.
THEATER REVIEW
THE SECRET GARDEN
Music by Lucy Simon, book and lyrics by Marsha Norman. Directed and choreographed by Rick Kerby. Reviewed Sept. 17, Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 3rd Ave., West, Bradenton. Tickets are $27-$37. Through Oct. 4. 748-5875; manateeperformingartscenter.com
