By Katherine Beeson
Lake Country Playhouse opened its spring musical, “The Secret Garden,” on March 17. Directors Breanne Brennan and Sandra Renick completely understand this beautiful story and have crafted a production filled with tragedy, longing, hope and love.
A cholera epidemic, in early 20th century India, kills most of a prominent British family, leaving only Mary Lennox, a neglected, albeit, spoiled girl. She is sent to live with her Uncle Archibald Craven, the widowed and grieving spouse of her late mother’s deceased sister, Lily. Craven doesn’t
want her either, but opens his home to her and leaves her in his brother’s care. Strong-willed Mary makes friends with the manor’s kind servants and her growing curiosity leads her to family secrets and a garden, hidden and long abandoned.
The musical features Mary’s parents, Indian servants and others as “dreamers” who provide the child’s backstory. This group also does a wonderful job conveying the initial gloom that greets the young girl upon her arrival in England.
Nicholas Callan Haubner plays the tortured Archibald Craven with a depth that is mesmerizing; his tenor voice is rich and rivals that of Mandy Patinkin, the actor who created the role on Broadway.
Mary Lennox is portrayed by Evie Maassen who conveys all the spunk, stubbornness and determination of this child who must begin life anew in a strange land and a stranger new home. Kudos – a great job.
Craven’s late wife, Lily, is also one of the frequently appearing dreamers and serves as a reminder of all the man has lost. Suze Falk is almost ethereal in this part – soft and elegant with a beautiful voice. Haubner and Falk are wonderful on stage as they share their love in Archibald’s dreams.
Other standouts include Dr. Neville Craven (Justin Welch), housemaid Martha (Kendall Yorkey), Archibald’s son Colin (Liam Eddy), gardeners Dickon (Oliver Kuhtz) and Ben (James Baker), and Lexi Cole Ellis and Andrew Byshenk (Mary’s parents, who adhere to the British high-brow parental thinking of that time; basically ignore your children and leave their upbringing to the servants.)
Cathy Pfeiler was musical director while Sue Gedemer conducted a strong chamber orchestra.
Stage design (by Chris Celestin and Megan Wells) is kept to a minimum, which allows for seamless transitions from manor to garden to memories of the past.
The only problem with this production is that if you do not have tickets for any of the remaining shows, you are out of luck; the group announced that the run is completely sold-out.
The show runs through April 2.