"Having not been home for almost 4 years, and having loved the music of The Secret Garden forever, I jumped at this opportunity," says Brightman. "It's my pleasure to be able to share some of the joy and laughs from our production with Playbill.com. This truly is the greatest 'job' on the planet. Thanks for taking a look and thanks for all those who came to see us!"
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PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: "Winter's on the Wing!" Inside The Secret Garden With Alex Brightman
PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: "Winter's on the Wing!" Inside The Secret Garden With Alex Brightman
Bay Area native Alex Brightman (Broadway's Glory Days and Wicked ) is currently home for the holidays for the first time in 4 years, starring as Dickon in TheatreWorks' production of The Secret Garden . He offers a glimpse of his childhood stomping ground and takes Playbill.com backstage at Silicon Valley's premier professional theatre. Read the Playbill.com story.
58 PHOTOS
Having not been home to California for almost 4 years, I had to learn to drive again. Taking pictures on the road is probably not safe... but look at the beautiful sky!
Alex Brightman
My show, brought to you by Yahoo! My dad is a Vice President there, so I get lots of free swag.
Alex Brightman
Thanks to my parents (who I'm living with during the run), I am now completely addicted to espresso. Every morning I have a cup. It's sickening.
Alex Brightman
Two things that really get me through a long rehearsal process. Netflix and cards from my girlfriend. (Also note the reminder from Mom and Dad to bring in the garbage before rehearsal!)
Alex Brightman
My parents kept a "couple" of Playbills from when I was in Wicked . It's as if they're afraid they'll disintegrate or something!
Alex Brightman
This is what I call the "Early Morning Tech Trio." A coffee, a breakfast wrap and an amazing book.
Alex Brightman
Here I am! There should be more Yorkshire super heroes in the world.
Alex Brightman
Courtney Stokes (who plays my sister, Martha) pops in for a family snapshot!
Alex Brightman
In awe of our awesome moving set during tech rehearsal! Gorgeous scenic design for a gorgeous show.
Alex Brightman
The fabulous Molly Bell (our choreographer) likes to kick her face while she makes coffee. Be sure to catch her in Becoming Britney at The RetroDome in CA!
Alex Brightman
Our director, and founder of TheatreWorks, Robert Kelley chatting with Molly about the night's rehearsal. Also... a banana.
Alex Brightman
Meet Robbie Brewer (Albert Lennox), Sharon Rietkirk (Rose Lennox), and Joe Cassidy (Archibald Craven).
Alex Brightman
Robbie, Sharon, and Patricia taking some time out of tech to give us a smile.
Alex Brightman
Classic "middle-of-tech" picture. Molly and Courtney lounging.
Alex Brightman
The cast of The Secret Garden . What a bunch of good looking mugs.
Alex Brightman
Courtney getting into character as Martha, the maid.
Alex Brightman
Dickon and Archie bonding over fake tree watering. We do this a lot.
Alex Brightman
The best pictures are always candid. Right Courtney?
Alex Brightman
Noel Anthony (Neville Craven) and Joe re-enacting the famous candle scene from Rent .
Alex Brightman
My pre-Dickon mustache. Props to those who have real ones. They itch.
Alex Brightman
In addition to Dickon, I also play Lt. Wright in the prologue. I also do children's birthday parties.
Alex Brightman
Before every performance, Patricia Noonan (who plays Lily Craven) storms into our room and gives us line notes. Just kidding... but she does look awesome in those comically large eye glasses.
Alex Brightman
Dickon may be a dirty boy, but he likes to keep his teeth so fresh and clean. Brush your teeth, kids!
Alex Brightman
My girlfriend Lindsey Kyler made this awesome piece of art for me. I take it with me when I do shows outside of NYC. A little piece of home. I love it.
Alex Brightman
Rachel Sue (who plays Mary Lennox at certain performances) eats nothing but Pita Chips. I think they sponsor her.
Alex Brightman
This is actually the headshot Rachel used to book this show.
Alex Brightman
The automation room gets cold. Good thing Alex (our operator) has a sleeping bag.
Alex Brightman
Onstage, The Fakir is a mysterious man. Offstage, Adam Barry is all fun and laughs.
Alex Brightman
Don't make Joe Cassidy (Archibald Craven) angry. You wouldn't like him when he's angry.
Alex Brightman
Don't mess.
Alex Brightman
I said... don't mess!
Alex Brightman
"We've got magic to do. Just for you..." I'm an idiot.
Alex Brightman
Even beautiful ladies can give a stank face.
Alex Brightman
Charlie Ibsen (who's hilarious as Colin Craven) and Rachel Sue giving some serious face backstage.
Alex Brightman
Donuts stacked upon donuts. It's the true actor's nightmare.
Alex Brightman
Robbie Brewer and his fuel. Seconds after this photo was taken, he spilled grounds all over him.
Alex Brightman
Every actor has their secrets. Patricia fights off a tired throat with tea, Ricola and CHOCOLATE!
Alex Brightman
I found a cup of confederate flags in our green room. Also... I didn't realize that I was on the cover of People this month.
Alex Brightman
Kelley and Joe go over a potential new prop. From the look on Joe's face, it's a pretty serious conversation.
Alex Brightman
"A bit of mirror. He wants a little bit of mirror..." (It's a Secret Garden reference. Don't worry if you don't get it).
Alex Brightman
Adam has 7 tattoos. He has to cover them all up. You can see the traces of one on his forearm. Magic!
Alex Brightman
Joe Cassidy is so committed, he grows a new head of hair for every performance. For that, the theatre community thanks you.
Alex Brightman
Popping by the dressing room to hydrate. I jump around the stage like a Yorkshire maniac.
Alex Brightman
Robbie and I happily enjoying our Opening Night spot of bubbly. Well done, chaps and chapettes.
Alex Brightman
My girlfriend woke up at 4 AM in New York City, flew across the country and surprised me at my house! Lindsey Kyler, you are quite simply the best.
Alex Brightman
Holiday INCEPTION COOKIES. A cookie dream inside a cookie dream.
Alex Brightman
When Robbie is not dying of cholera, he likes to keep up on the entertainment world.
Alex Brightman
The ultimate setup. Highlights include Emergen-C, toothbrush, Kashi bars, and TONS OF TIC TACS!
Alex Brightman
While teaching a master class, I spotted this. These kids know their stuff.
Alex Brightman
Making my mark at the callboard for a long (but fun) two-show day!
Alex Brightman
Between shows: some sleep, some smile and some play iPhone games.
Alex Brightman
Eating Trader Joe's wreath cookies and scrolling through my favorite website, Reddit.com. Nice way to spend intermission.
Alex Brightman
Two essentials for a two-show day. A huge mug of Philz Coffee and Facebook.
Alex Brightman
They need to bring Philz Coffee to New York City. It is one of the best cups of coffee I have ever had.
Alex Brightman
Our incredible stage manager, Rebecca Muensch, keeps it all running. This is her 17th cup of coffee.
Alex Brightman
One of the many marks of an actor. The mic tape battle scar.
Alex Brightman
End of a nine-show week. This is my neutral face.
Alex Brightman
Angelina Wahler and Alex Brightman
Alex Brightman
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Theatreworks founding artistic director Robert Kelley stages 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. It officially opened Dec. 3 for a run through Dec. 31.
Joe Cassidy (Catch Me If You Can, Next to Normal ) plays Archibald Craven, with Patricia Noonan (Carousel, How to Succeed... ) as Lily, Alex Brightman (Wicked ) as Dickon and Angelina Wahler as orphan Mary Lennox. Rachel Sue plays the role of Mary at select performances.
The cast also includes Charlie Ibsen and Andrew Apy alternating as Colin Craven, Noel Anthony as Neville Craven, Courtney Stokes as Martha, Sharon Rietkirk as Rose, Leanne Borghesi as Mrs. Medlock, Daniel Olson as Ben Weatherstaff, Robert Brewer as Albert Lennox, Adam Theodore Barry as Fakir and Mrigendra "Meb" Steiner as the Ayah.
The Secret Garden has set design by Joe Ragey, costume design by Fumiko Bielefeldt, sound design by Jeff Mockus and lighting design by Pamila Z. Gray. William Liberatore is musical director. Choreography is by Molly Bell.
For tickets phone (650) 463-1960 or visit TheatreWorks .