By Karen Bloom
That day has arrived.
The rarely-produced show now gets its turn at Plaza Theatrical Productions’ The Show Place in Bellmore. Opening March 20 and running for six performances through March 29, the show transforms Frances Hodgson Burnett's beloved children's classic into a work of dark complexity. “The Secret Garden” follows Mary Lennox as she brings to life not only a garden but also those who surround her.
“It touched me deeply,” said Harrington, of his reaction to the show, which premiered April 25, 1991 and closed in 1993 after 709 performances.
“From the first time I saw the musical on Broadway, I have wanted to produce and direct it,” he said. “I fell in love with the glorious score, and found the play to be very spiritual. I have always been drawn to literature, plays and movies that support the idea that love never dies and that people who have left us in this life are still with us and guide us.”
Harrington aims for his production to have a similar impact on audiences – of all ages. “It deals with many important themes,” he said. “Children can relate to it as a children’s classic. They can relate to it because the protagonist is 11 years old. Adults will find a focus on adult characters and their challenges; in particular, Archibald Craven, a widower, who is still grieving the death of his wife and the challenge of being a single parent. This switch brings the show to a new level by focusing on the importance of having faith, following your dreams, and the idea that people who have passed away are still with us to guide us on our journey through life.”
The story is set in the early years of the 20th century. Mary Lennox, a young English girl born and raised in the British Empire in India, is orphaned by a cholera outbreak when she is eleven years old. She is sent away from India to Yorkshire, England, to live with relatives whom she has never met. Her own personality blossoms as she brings new life to a neglected garden, as well as, to her sickly cousin and grieving uncle.
“Since the show is based on the 1909 children’s classic, by Frances Hodgson Burnett, many people assume that the show is a children’s musical,” Harrington said. “However, the Broadway musical production focuses on the adult characters and their challenges; in particular, Archibald Craven, a widower, who is still grieving the death of his wife and the challenge of being a single parent. This switch brings the show to a new level by focusing on the importance of having faith, following your dreams, and the idea that people who have passed away are still with us to guide us on our journey through life.”
Throughout the show, many songs are sung by a chorus of ghosts, referred to as “dreamers,” who serve as narrators and Greek chorus for the action.
Ninety percent of the show is sung. This chorus of ghosts (the dreamers), float in and out of scenes and interact with living characters, presenting a challenge for the director. That is among the reasons why The Secret Garden has been seldom produced since it closed on Broadway, Harrington explained.
“The director must be able to communicate the story clearly,” he said. “The Plaza production relies on lighting and clear staging to bring the story to life”.
Because it is rarely produced, Plaza’s production has attracted multi-talented performers from across Long Island, Harrington noted. The cast of 18 includes 13 year-old Nick Kelliher, an 8th grade student at Baldwin Middle School in the role of Colin, and 13 year-old Emma Harrington, a student at Lynbrook South, as Mary Lennox.
Harrington’s son Alex is also involved in the production, as is wife, Phyllis Harrington, who takes on the supporting role of Mary's mother Rose Lennox, in addition to her producing duties at Plaza Theatrical Productions. The cast includes many members of Harrington's extended theater “family.”
“We have people who we have stayed in contact with and have worked with for over 30 years,” said Harrington. He noted that everyone in the cast brings a love of performing to their work in this (and every) production that they continue to share with the audience.
The joy of theater is something that Harrington has been bringing to communities through Long Island and the tri-state area since he founded Plaza Theatrical Productions in 1983. Particularly during this economic downturn, Harrington is proud to further Plaza’s goal of “providing high-caliber entertainment at a fraction of the cost of other venues.
“This is an opportunity for people who may not have experienced theater to take a chance,” he said. “Our mission is to enrich the cultural development of Long Island residents by providing high quality entertainment. With the high cost of Broadway show tickets, Plaza provides live musical theatre for many children, families, and senior citizens who otherwise would not have access to this art form.”
Plaza Productions’ 2008-09 Mainstage season concludes with “I Left My Heart, A Salute to the Music of Tony Bennett” in April and and fully staged version of “Camelot” in June. Upcoming children's productions include the Wizard of Oz in April.
Our kids shows get tremendous feedback,” Harrington noted. “The community is hungry for quality kids musicals as evidenced by our sell-out crowds.”
For those kids who get bit by the acting bug after seeing one of Plaza's productions, Plaza Theatrical Productions' Performing Arts Academy, now in its third year, is going strong. Harrington is also gearing up for a summer Youth Performance Workshop program in June and July, an extension of Plaza's Performing Arts Academy. This season’s performance workshop production will be “Rent.” Contact Plaza Theatrical Productions for information.
Herald Community Newspapers is the media sponsor of “The Secret Garden.”
The Secret
Garden
March 20 through 29; Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m., Sundays 2 p.m.
Tickets: $25 adult, $20 seniors.
The Plaza Organization is offering a $5 discount on all $25 (adult) and $20 (senior) tickets. For selected performances, Saturdays at 4 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., seniors can take advantage of “Super Senior” discounts paying only $15 per ticket.
The Showplace at Bellmore Movies, 222 Pettit Ave., Bellmore (directly across the street from the Bellmore Train Station).
(516) 599-6870 or purchase on-line at www.plazatheatrical.com.
