APAC artistic director Tom Wojtunik helms the musical that is based on Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic. The Secret Garden was adapted for the stage by Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning book writer/lyricist Marsha Norman and composer Lucy Simon. Performances will run through May 26 at the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church in Astoria.
In addition to Evans (Broadway's Ragtime, A Tale of Two Cities) as Lily, McHugh (Mamma Mia! and Hairspray national tours) as Dr. Neville Craven, Kelton (Greenwillow) as Martha and Lewis (Seussical) as Mary Lennox, the cast also features Michael Jennings Mahoney (Camelot) as Dickon, Sam Poon (Les Misérables) as Colin, Patrick Porter (Blood on the Dining Room Floor) as Archibald Craven, Jacqueline Sydney (The Children's Hour) as Mrs. Medlock and Richard Vernon (The Human Comedy) as Ben.
Completing the cast are Jane Bunting, Mario Castro, Marisa Devetta, Britain Gebhardt, Jonathan Gregg, Clint J. Hromsco, Mary-Elizabeth Milton, Eric Morris, Lia Peros, Jason Pintar, Danny Randerson, Spencer Robinson and Elizabeth Wharton.
The Secret Garden has scenic design by Michael P. Kramer, costume design by Ryan J. Moller and lighting design by Dan Jobbins. Colin Whitely is the sound designer; Ashley Cavadas is the props designer; and Jessa Nicole Pollack is the stage manager. Christine O'Grady choreographs with musical direction by Jeffrey Campos.
Here's how the musical is billed: "Living in a lonely manor house in 1906 England, Archibald Craven yearns for his beautiful, late wife. He blames his crippled son, Colin, for his wife’s death and has left him neglected and isolated. Their quiet routine is turned upside down when young Mary Lennox, a rich, spoiled child, is sent to live with them following the death of her parents by cholera in India."
APAC, under the artistic direction of Wojtunik, has earned critical praise in recent seasons for its unique stagings of Ragtime, Children of Eden and the rarely seen Galt MacDermot musical The Human Comedy.
For tickets, priced $18, phone (866) 811-4111 or visit APACNY.org.
The Good Shepherd United Methodist Church is located at 30-44 Crescent Street in Astoria, NY.
