When it comes to Broadway musicals, “The Secret Garden” is not very typical.
Jill Connor / The Citizen
Amy Pearson, as Lily, sings during a rehearsal of “The Secret Garden.”
Amy Pearson, as Lily, sings during a rehearsal of “The Secret Garden.”
While it is meant as a family show, it deals with themes on the darker side of life, like regret and loss, according to Drew Deapo.
“This isn't ‘My Fair Lady,'” said Deapo, who is directing a production of the musical that will run this weekend. “It does deal with some sadness, but it has some great upbeat numbers. That's why I think it would be a great show.”
The Jordan-Elbridge Community Theater will perform “The Secret Garden” Friday and Saturday. This will be the second production from the group, which performed “Into the Woods” last summer.
Based on the popular book of the same title by Frances Hodgson Burnett, it is a story about a 10-year-old orphan named Mary Lennox who is living with her uncle, Archibald. Still grieving for his deceased wife, Archibald is also distraught over his sick son.
However, Mary finds a hidden garden on the property with the power to release the spirits of the past while healing current heartaches.
Throughout the show, the audience watches the uncle deal with his feelings and the sadness he has experienced for 10 years, Deapo said.
“At one point, Mary asks Archibald about death,” he said. “She asks, ‘Do you believe in ghosts?' And he says, people are only ghosts when someone alive is still holding onto them.'”
The musical has presented a number of challenges, Deapo said. As it is a period piece that takes place in the early 1900s, it demands very specific and ornate costumes, he said.
Some of the scenes depict dreams or supernatural elements, Deapo said. How do you show that someone is a ghost with more subtlety than throwing a sheet over the actor and cutting two holes for the eyes?
“We are able to use a lot of effects for mood, lots of dry ice and different lighting,” Deapo said.
But Deapo said putting the musical together has been a rewarding experience, especially with a cast that he described as the theater group's most talented yet. The music in “The Secret Garden” is both beautiful and challenging, he said, and a number of the cast members are professional music educators.
“I thought we had an outstanding production last year, and it is hard to believe that each year the talent is getting stronger and stronger,” Deapo said.
But perhaps the best part about this year's show, Deapo said, is that it will help bring people from around the region into the communities of Jordan and Elbridge.
“We have drawn from all over the area,” Deapo said, referring to the cast with members from Syracuse, Liverpool and Baldwinsville, as well as local locations. “Putting this theater group together brings one more positive thing to the Jordan-Elbridge area.”
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net
If you go
What: “The Secret Garden”
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 1 and 2
Where: Jordan-Elbridge High School auditorium, 5721 Hamilton Road, Jordan
Cost: $10
Info: Call 689-8500 ext. 1700
“This isn't ‘My Fair Lady,'” said Deapo, who is directing a production of the musical that will run this weekend. “It does deal with some sadness, but it has some great upbeat numbers. That's why I think it would be a great show.”
The Jordan-Elbridge Community Theater will perform “The Secret Garden” Friday and Saturday. This will be the second production from the group, which performed “Into the Woods” last summer.
Based on the popular book of the same title by Frances Hodgson Burnett, it is a story about a 10-year-old orphan named Mary Lennox who is living with her uncle, Archibald. Still grieving for his deceased wife, Archibald is also distraught over his sick son.
However, Mary finds a hidden garden on the property with the power to release the spirits of the past while healing current heartaches.
Throughout the show, the audience watches the uncle deal with his feelings and the sadness he has experienced for 10 years, Deapo said.
“At one point, Mary asks Archibald about death,” he said. “She asks, ‘Do you believe in ghosts?' And he says, people are only ghosts when someone alive is still holding onto them.'”
The musical has presented a number of challenges, Deapo said. As it is a period piece that takes place in the early 1900s, it demands very specific and ornate costumes, he said.
Some of the scenes depict dreams or supernatural elements, Deapo said. How do you show that someone is a ghost with more subtlety than throwing a sheet over the actor and cutting two holes for the eyes?
“We are able to use a lot of effects for mood, lots of dry ice and different lighting,” Deapo said.
But Deapo said putting the musical together has been a rewarding experience, especially with a cast that he described as the theater group's most talented yet. The music in “The Secret Garden” is both beautiful and challenging, he said, and a number of the cast members are professional music educators.
“I thought we had an outstanding production last year, and it is hard to believe that each year the talent is getting stronger and stronger,” Deapo said.
But perhaps the best part about this year's show, Deapo said, is that it will help bring people from around the region into the communities of Jordan and Elbridge.
“We have drawn from all over the area,” Deapo said, referring to the cast with members from Syracuse, Liverpool and Baldwinsville, as well as local locations. “Putting this theater group together brings one more positive thing to the Jordan-Elbridge area.”
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net
If you go
What: “The Secret Garden”
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 1 and 2
Where: Jordan-Elbridge High School auditorium, 5721 Hamilton Road, Jordan
Cost: $10
Info: Call 689-8500 ext. 1700
Citizen
Hot Jobs
New! Off the Menu
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are No comments posted.