Blooming With Love

The Secret Garden

This magical musical story, adapted from Frances Hodgson Burnett’s children’s classic, warms the heart of everyone who experiences it. It’s a Gothic ghost story that absolutely blooms with love. And Theo Ubique’s production of this beloved musical, a show not seen in Chicagoland in many years, illustrates its timelessness. Not only was THE SECRET GARDEN a popular and critical success in its Broadway premier, playing over 700 performances back in 1991, but every touring, regional and amateur production of it is a guaranteed hit.

And a bonafide it is at Theo! The musical tells the story of little Mary Lennox who was raised in Colonial India at the turn of the century. The 10-year-old is the sole survivor of a cholera outbreak, during which she loses everyone: both her parents, Captain Albert Lennox and his wife Rose, Ayah, her Indian governess, and everyone she ever knew in India. British authorities send Mary to live with her only living relative, her morose Uncle Archibald Craven, in his eerie, isolated Yorkshire mansion. 

Both Mary and her uncle are haunted by ghosts. The spirits of Mary’s parents, her Ayah, as well as Archibald’s beloved wife Lily float through the dark rooms and empty corridors. Although Dr. Neville Craven, Archibald’s brother, and stern housekeeper, Mrs. Medlock, become her adversaries, Mary finds friendship with Martha, the housemaid, her free-spirited brother Dickon and the surly groundskeeper Ben. One night she discovers that she has a young cousin, Colin, who’s been confined to his bed with a mysterious illness and kept hidden in a secret room upstairs. Mary journeys from being a solitary, sullen and entitled youngster to becoming a life force, restoring love, hope and beauty to Colin, her uncle and her Aunt Lily’s secret garden.

The secrets of this Garden are many. Director Christopher Pazdernik’s production turns this traditionally lavish musical into a modest, intimate chamber production. He’s reduced his cast to a mere 12 actors, with almost everyone doing double duty. Mr. Pazdernik creates his ensemble of just the four ghosts and the supporting cast members. Chris’ staging also keeps his cast in almost constant motion, roaming over and around the sparsely furnished setting, as well as around theatergoers and up and down aisles. Thanks to Assistant Director Nich O’Neil’s organic Choreography a simplified beauty is created. Carolyn Brady’s musical direction is brilliant. Manning the keyboard, she subtly conducts her two talented orchestra members (Kim Lawson on violin and Ben Heppner on drums) from upstage of the playing area, featuring strings and percussion. The labor of love by these talented artists is evident throughout.

At the heart of this production is Joryhebel Ginorio’s captivating portrayal of Mary Lennox. Ms. Ginorio absolutely owns the stage with her lovely singing voice and spot-on British accent (thanks to Dialect coach Justin Duggan). The look in this young girl’s eyes tells us everything about her loneliness and desperation for affection. The beautiful, celestial voice of lovely Brennan Martinez brings Lily’s ghost to life for this production, and is the real key to unlocking this Secret Garden. The grace and exquisite manner with which she inhabits this piece is unforgettable, and Ms. Martinez’s rendition of “Come to My Garden” will haunt audiences long after the curtain falls.

A Chicago favorite, Will Koski solidly creates the haunted character of Archibald Craven, a tortured soul who’s been living in the past so long he seems doomed never to escape. His solos (“Where in the World”) and his duets with Ms. Martinez (the breathtaking “How Could I Ever Know”), and particularly his duet with the excellent Jeffrey Charles, as his brother Neville Craven, the stirring “Lily’s Eyes,” are additional highlights of this beautiful score by Lucy Simon, with lyrics by Marsha Norman. 

Dakota Hughes creates a charming, spunky elf-like Martha. She adds so much warmth and humor to the story, especially with her “If I Had a Fine White Horse,” while her anthem of pluck and determination, “Hold On,” is the advice that Mary Lennox needs. Bill Chamberlain nicely plays the gruff but gentle Groundskeeper, Ben; the wonderful Kathleen Puls Andrade is excellent as the no-nonsense housekeeper, Mrs. Medlock; handsome Lincoln J. Skoien makes a kind and caring Dickon, especially through his songs “Wick” and “Winter’s on the Wing;” and Kailey Azure Green does a fine job portraying young Colin. The trio of ghosts, all clad in white, have gorgeous voices. They include (the night I saw the show) Mizha Lee Overn as Mary’s graceful Ayah, the lovely Maliha Sayed as Rose, Mary’s deceased mother and, as Captain Lennox, Nicholas Ian, whose incomparable voice is deserving of a starring role in the future.

Theo Ubique’s alluring production is a timeless tale that blooms with the power of love. Marsha Norman and Lucy Simon have taken a few liberties with the original novel, but their musical, with its haunting score, still tells the tale of a survivor. Mary Lennox is a young girl who survives unimaginable odds and, while helping those around her, strives to become “The Girl I Mean to Be.” Mary and her family and friends will certainly haunt the hearts and souls of every theatergoer who visits this intimate Secret Garden.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented November 8-January 5 by Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre, 721 Howard Street, Evanston, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 800-595-4849 or by going to www.Theo-u.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.