A Beloved Classic Returns

2nd Gen’s First Foray into Children’s Musical Theatre

This 90-minute (with one 10-minute intermission) version of A Secret Garden is 2nd Gen Theatre’s first foray into children’s musical theater. The theater provides acting classes for youth, and this production includes two of their students, Ella Hinklin as Mary Lennox and Clark Garvey as Colin Craven, the two troubled children.

In this beloved classic, 10-year-old Mary Lennox, whose parents died in a cholera epidemic is sent from India to live with her uncle, Archibald Craven, who owns a haunted estate on the moors in Yorkshire. He is a reclusive hunchback who has been grieving the loss of his beloved and beautiful wife, Lily, who died giving birth to their son, Colin. His brother, the manipulative Dr. Neville Craven, has been caring for the sickly boy since his birth, keeping him bedridden and isolated from his father for his entire life. Lily had a beautiful garden, which Archibald locked up and forbade anyone to enter after her death. Mary discovers the boy and the garden, and together with the gardener, the maid, and a sprite-like boy…let us just say that all’s well that ends well.

Much to Applaud

There is much to praise about this production, staged in the small Smith Theatre. Atmosphere is important in this tale of ghosts that haunt not only the estate, but also the hearts of its inhabitants. Set/Light/Sound/TD Designer Chris Cavanagh uses the space well. Even with the large cast of 17, the stage does not feel crowded, through the use of cleverly placed backdrop screens that do double duty as sets, as well as 4 runways that allow for quick exits and entrances. Fog swirls around, eerie music plays (courtesy of Music Director Allan Paglia), as ghosts and mortals are put through their paces.

The ghosts, barefoot and dressed in flowing white costumes designed by Jenna Damberger and built by Houndstooth Costume Collective, have secret messages written on their sashes and shirts. They are an otherworldly presence swirling around the mortals, acting as their protectors, and often as a Greek chorus.

Kelly Copps is gorgeous as Lily, both in looks and in voice. With her graceful movements and loving presence, she exudes unconditional love. She will be in high demand as a beautiful wraith in the afterlife.

John Kreuzer as Ben, the grumpy old gardener is delightful in his grumpy old way, and a true friend to the children. He also has a moment with the very uptight, well maybe not quite as uptight as first thought, Mrs. Medlock, played with Mrs. Danvers-like rigidity by Anne DeFazio.

Joe Russi as Dikon could not be more sprite-like. He flits around the stage, barely touching the ground in an innocent, sweet and charming manner as he helps Mary to open her heart. He is the agent of change for Mary and Colin. His performance is a highlight.

The talented Ella Hinklin is Mary, the main character, who is transformed from a very angry child, to a loving and happy one. Director/Choreographer Michael Oliver-Walline has her play rage to the hilt. She has one tantrum after another in the first act, so that her grief at the loss of her parents, and fear of being in such a foreign environment are seldom given voice, which is a loss, because it appears the young Ms. Hinklin is more than capable of expressing deeper emotion. She has some very fine moments with Dikon and Colin as they transform the garden and themselves, and one scene with the maid, Martha, (played with welcome comic relief by Amy Jakiel), whose open heart allows Mary to finally express her fears. Clark Garvey has some great lines as Colin, and delivers them well. He has an impish little boy vibe that works very well for the character.

Louis Colaiacovo as the unhappy Archibald and John Panepinto as his calculating brother Neville both do a fine job in their roles. Their duet speaks to the underlying truth that they both love Lily.

Jenn Stafford is fun in a short scene as the mean Scottish schoolmistress, as well as being part of the ensemble. Maria Pedro is a lovely robin, very graceful and light. Leah Berst, Anthony Lazzaro, Bob Mazierski, Jenny Marie McCabe, and Collin McKee round out the cast.

A Welcome Diversion

Written by Marsha Norman and Lucy Simon, based on the 1911 novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett  A Secret Garden: Spring Version contains most of the elements of the original production sans the extreme length, a boon to this writer. At the same time, it means, for instance, that there is little about Mary’s Hindu practices in India, and the transformation that occurs in the children and Archibald seems rather abrupt.

With the lush music and songs, dreamy choreography, at times unearthly atmosphere, and fine acting, the magical world created in A Secret Garden: Spring Version is a welcome diversion for the proverbial “children of all ages.”