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HCT’S “THE SECRET GARDEN” TO FEATURE BRITISH MILITARY COSTUMES, ELABORATE GARDEN SCENES

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (July 2007) — Hale Centre Theatre, Utah’s premier family theatre, will present “The Secret Garden” August 8 through Sept. 29.

HCT will produce the Broadway, three-time Tony Award-winning musical with several scene changes, including abstract representations of characters traveling on a train and in a carriage, which will be accomplished using the theatre’s million-dollar revolving stage. HCT’s production will also incorporate four gardens beginning with a 20-foot tall spinning garden piece with a representation of dead vines. The gardens will transform throughout the show concluding with an elaborate representation of a live garden complete with rose bushes, hedges, topiaries and vines that will fly down from the catwalk and envelop the audience.   

“We have worked to bring both grandeur and clarity to the production,” said Director David Nieman. “From the costumes and sets to the choreography, our objective has been to produce ‘The Secret Garden’ in a manner that accentuates the story and its important message.”

HCT has created more than 60 complete costumes with a color palette that gets brighter and more vivid as the show progresses. Unlike most productions of “The Secret Garden” that employ World War II uniforms, HCT has built British military, pre World War I costumes that are true to the story and the period. In addition, HCT will again incorporate ghostly shrouds worn by deceased characters, known as “dreamers,” who appear in dreams or flashbacks. HCT debuted the concept in its production of “The Secret Garden” in 1996 after researching past productions, including on Broadway, which received criticism because it was difficult to differentiate between living and the dead characters.   
“The Secret Garden” centers on Mary Lennox, a lonely English girl sent to live with her Uncle Archibald in England after being orphaned by a cholera epidemic in India. Her uncle is mired in grief over the death of his beloved wife, Lily, and the residence has long been overshadowed by this heartache. However, when Mary stumbles on a secret garden that once belonged to Lily, she brings life not only to the abandoned plot of land but also to her grieving uncle and his ill son.
“The Secret Garden” is based on the book of the same name by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The musical features lyrics by Marsha Norman and music by Lucy Simon and includes haunting melodies, including “'Hold On” and “How Could I Ever Know?”

“The Secret Garden” premiered on Broadway in April 1991 and ran for a total of 709 performances. It received three 1991 Tony Awards – Best Book of a Musical, Best Scenic Design and Best Featured Actress in a Musical – as well as nominations for Best Musical, Best Original Score and Best Costume Design. Additionally, the play garnered several Drama Desk awards and nominations, including Outstanding Actor in a Musical and Outstanding Choreography.
HCT’s “The Secret Garden” is directed by David Nieman, and stars Mary Hohl and Summer Sloan as Mary Lennox; Bruce Bredeson and David Weekes as Archibald Craven; Cindy Winkel and Jennifer Neff as Lily; David Stensrud and Kelly DeHaan as Dr. Neville Craven; and Benjamin Sundwall and Peter Rosen as Colin Craven. The music director is Anne Puzey, choreographer is Marilyn May Montgomery, costume designer is Suzanne Carling, technical director is Andrew Barrus, set designer is Dennis Hassan, prop master is Kacey Udy, lighting designer is Spencer Brown, and the sound designer is Mike Williams.

Performances are nightly August 8 through Sept. 29 at 7:30 p.m. except Wednesday, Sept. 12 when the theatre will be closed. Matinee performances are 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. each Saturday throughout the run as well as at 4 p.m. on Sept. 14, 21, 24, 27 and 28. Ticket prices are: Monday through Thursday and Matinees: Adult $20, Child $15; Friday and Saturday evenings: Adult $23, Child $16. For reservations call (801) 984-9000, or visit HCT's box office at 3333 South Decker Lake Drive in West Valley City. Information and tickets also are available at www.halecentretheatre.org.

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Contact:
Chris Thomas
(801) 502-3520
cthomas@intrepidpr.com

 

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