The Secret Garden is a magical tale that has charmed readers for nearly a century. It's a Victorian drama with gothic touches.

Orphaned in India by cholera, an 11-year-old girl, Mary Lennox, is sent to live in Yorkshire, England, with her only living relative, an embittered uncle, Archibald, and his son, Colin. Upon arrival, Mary has been assigned to Mrs. Medlock, the housekeeper and Dr. Neville Craven, Archibald's brother.

The uncle's estate includes a magic locked garden that has been closed since the tragic accidental death in the garden of his wife, Lily. Flashbacks, dream sequences, the appearance of "friendly" ghosts (Dreamers) accompanied by the compelling music and lyrics dramatize this beautiful literary treasure.

Martha, a housemaid, and Dickon, Martha's brother, Lily and an elusive robin assist Mary in finding the key to the secret garden and going into the garden, not only unlocked the door but also show Mary and Colin that selflessness also leads to opening a door happiness.

The Secret Garden is genuine and sincere, which is perhaps why it was awarded 14 Drama Desk Award nominations.

My heartfelt and genuine appreciation to the wonderful cast and crew, board members, parents and family for allowing me the privilege to work with this beautiful production. The Secret Garden is truly a gift to all. Please enjoy this fusion of magic and beauty - The Secret Garden.

Susan J. Nelson, Director

CAST

LILY-Mary's aunt, Mr. Craven's wife, now dead...Janet Piercy
MARY LENNOX-A ten-year old ...Elizabeth Piercy
MRS.MEDLOCK-Mr. Craven's housekeeper...Cindy Schichter
DR. NEVILLE CRAVEN-Mr. Craven's brother...Tad Atkinson
MARTHA-a housemaid...Christy Cass
ARCHIBALD CRAVEN-Mary's uncle, and lord of Misselthwaite Manor...Todd Dillon
BEN WEATHERSTAFF-head gardener...Sam Frushour
DICKON-Martha's brother...Brian Porter
COLIN CRAVEN-Archibald Craven's ten year old son...Seth Drayer
MRS. WINTHROP-headmistress...Kelly Kellen
PHOTOGRAPHER...Jill Younts
MAID AT TEA PARTY...Kerri Spencer
JANE / DREAMER...Melissa Hershberger
**DREAMERS:... ROSE LENNOX-Mary's mother...Jennifer Poiry Beatty
CAPTAIN ALBERT LENNOX-Mary's father...Steve Pearson
ALICE-Rose's friend...Mandy Bokhart
LIEUTENANT WRIGHT-officer in Mary's father's unit...Luke Hancock
MAJOR SHELLEY-officer...Michael Gibson
MRS. SHELLEY-Major Shelley's wife...Sue Stocks
MAJOR HOLMES-officer...Bruce Hancock
CLAIRE HOLMES-Major Holmes' wife...Kelly Kellen
FAKIR...Nathan Rogers
AYAH-Mary's Indian nanny...Jeanne Kackuk Hall
DREAMERS (Children from Mary's past)...Meredith Ball, Ian Belknap, Mason Dillon, Neely Gevaart, Sarah Hodgin, Chris Ice, Stephanie Koehl, Kristin Schlichter, Jess Parrotte

**These characters, referred to collectively as the Dreamers, are people from Mary's life in India, who haunt her until she finds her new life in the course of the story. They are free to sing directly to us, appearing and disappearing at will.

TIME AND PLACE

1906. Colonial India and Misselthwaite Manor, North Yorkshire, England.