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The Secret Garden

A musical based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Book and Lyrics by Marsha Norman, Music by Lucy Simon.

Directed by Kathleen Davis and P.K. Worley.

Mary Lennox, an 11-year-old orphan, is sent to live with her Uncle Archibald in England. He lives in a house on the gloomy Yorkshire moors that he readily admits is haunted - by the memory of his wife Lily who died young and by a sad secret he tries to hide from the world. Mary, spirited and curious, discovers the source of this and other secrets, including the key to Lily's garden, which Archibald has forbidden anyone to enter since her untimely death. The show "revels in the imagination [and] achieves the irresistible appeal that moves audiences to standing ovations," writes the Christian Science Monitor. Time calls it "elegant, entrancing." U.S.A. Today pronounces it "a splendid, intelligent musical."

The Secret Garden opened at the St. James Theater, Broadway on April 25, 1991 with a cast that featured Daisy Eagan (Mary), Rebecca Luker (Lily), and Mandy Patinkin (Archibald). Marsha Norman won a Tony Award for "Best Book of a Musical" and Daisy Eagan became the youngest actress ever to win a Tony for her portrayal of Mary. The production enjoyed a run of 706 performances.

Frances Hodgson Burnett lived at Great Maytham Hall, at Rolvenden, Kent, for eight years of her life. She restored the old overgrown walled garden that she found there, and this experience gave her the inspiration for the book. The original Secret Garden is still there today, and is open to visitors.

Read the review of this show in the Denver Post here.

Director's Notes

The Secret Garden is so much more than a beautiful story for young people. Beyond the glorious music, beneath the intriguing mystery are layers of meaning for audience members of all ages. Ultimately this play is about courage and the willingness to search for the magic in life and the joy that awaits all who open their eyes.

- Kathleen Davis & P.K. Worley

Cast

Wendell Bell Fakir

Wendell is pleased to be making his first performance with Evergreen Players. He has performed at Country Dinner Playhouse, most recently in Annie Get Your Gun; at the Arvada Center and for the past 15 years with Opera Colorado where he just finished La Traviata. He also has sung with other regional opera companies and choral groups as a lyric tenor. When not singing, he designs custom database software for small companies. He would especially like to remember Linda, his friend and coach, who encouraged him to do musical theater, and thank his family for their support.

Brenda Billings Stage Manager

Brenda has been involved in theater since the age of 4 when she used to sit in the pit and watch her dad (P.K.) conduct. From actor, singer, dancer, techie, pit musician to enthusiastic theater supporter she has experienced it all. Being a mother of four keeps her busy, as does being a board member and fund raiser for Colorado Children's Chorale. Brenda is very excited to be doing this show with her daughter Jamie.

Jamie Billings Mary Lennox

Jamie has been part of the Colorado Children's Chorale for seven years. Some highlights include productions of Turandot, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Carmina Burana and War Requiem. She toured and performed in France, Italy and throughout the United States. She played Marta in Sound of Music at Country Dinner Playhouse. Jamie also had the title role in Annie. Jamie thanks her family and friends for all their support.

Juliana Black Martha

Newly relocated to Dillon, Colo., Juliana is glad to be working with the Evergreen Players for the first time in one of her all-time favorite shows. Other favorite roles include Mary Jane Wilkes in Big River, ensemble in And the World Goes Round and most recently Shelly Parker in Bat Boy: The Musical with the Lake Dillon Theatre Co. Ben, you're the best!

Stephen Caldwell Albert

Stephen is a respected singer, conductor and composer in the Denver area. He has performed both musical theater and opera at the community, regional and professional levels. In addition to his teaching duties, he runs a private voice and guitar studio. This is his first performance with Evergreen Players.

Kent Carney Ben, Maj. Holmes

This is Kent's fourth Evergreen Players production. His previous roles include Trabajadore in Evita, Bundles in Annie and Lane in The Importance of Being Earnest. Recently he's appeared in Sound of Music as Franz, State Fair as Charline and A Little Princess as Perkins. He also stays busy composing ("Wynken, Blynken and Nod: A Musical Adventure") and participating in competitive swimming.

Tyler Collins Archibald

Tyler has a Bachelor's in Music Education from the University of Northern Colorado and currently studies with Dr. Mee-ae Nam. Recently, he performed in the ensemble of the Miners Alley Playhouse and the Lakewood Cultural Center's production of The Spoon River Anthology. In 2001 he studied with the Aspen Opera Theatre Center and performed in Dialogues of the Carmelites. He was in Community Arts Theatre's The Wizard of Oz, and University of Northern Colorado's The Tenderland, Madame Butterfly and The Gondoliers. Other show credits include Happy Birthday, Wanda June; Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream; The Pirates of Penzance; 42nd Street; A Dopey Fairy Tale; and The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Thanks to his friends Grace and Karen, also to Gary for his love and support.

John Davis Assistant Stage Manager

John has given a lot of years to the Evergreen Players (see Kathleen's biography below). While his time in front of the lights is limited, he can often be found taking care of the business side of the Players. He currently serves as president of the Board of Directors. John also has been a lighting designer for the Players, with Evita being his favorite production.

Kathleen Davis Director

Kathleen and her husband John have pretty much grown up in the Evergreen Players family. They joined the Players in 1966 when they moved to Evergreen as newlyweds. Kathleen estimates she has worked on, acted in or directed about 120 shows over the years. Kathleen and P.K. Worley have previously co-directed Evita, Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris and The Robber Bridegroom. In 2000 she received the Distinguished Service Medal from Colorado Community Theatre Coalition.

Shane Delavan Dr. Craven

Shane's most recent feature role was as Simon Bliss in Hay Fever. In 2003, he portrayed Ludie in the Evergreen Players' award-winning production of The Trip to Bountiful. Other recent roles with Evergreen Players include Zaza (La Cage aux folles) and Charlie Baker (The Foreigner). Shane also regularly performs with Opera Colorado's chorus.

Becca Dellinger Rose

This is Rebecca's fourth show with Evergreen Players. She has been seen on stage locally, nationally and internationally. Some of her favorite roles include the Baker's Wife in Into the Woods, Maisie in The Boy Friend (Players) and Ginger in 1940s Radio Hour. She teaches music and choir in Jefferson County and is on the Evergreen Players Board of Directors.

Joann Goode Mrs. Medlock

JoAnn is a retired music and kindergarten teacher, having taught at schools in Iowa, Colorado, and Texas. She has sung with the Evergreen Chorale since 1990. She also has sung with chorales and acted with theater groups in Texas, Iowa and Wisconsin. Some of her favorite roles are Frau Schmidt in Sound of Music, Claire in Rumors, and the carousel owner in Carousel. Her previous work for the Players was in Company. She has always enjoyed the work of the Players and is really enjoying her current role in this show When she is not singing or acting she also enjoys golfing, gardening, her private music lessons students and the "loves of her life," her eight grandchildren!!

Matt Gottlieb Dickon

Matt is excited to be doing his first production with Evergreen Players. Previous credits include Jesus Christ Super Star (John), The Secret Garden (Colin), Sound of Music (Friedrich), George M, Cinderella and Little Women-The Musical (twice) at Town Hall Arts Center, Titanic (Bellboy), The Music Man (Winthrop), and Nuncrackers (Billy Wilson) at Country Dinner Playhouse; Children of Eden (Young Cain) at the Arvada Center; Evita at Boulder's Dinner Theatre; Nine at the New Nomad Theatre in Boulder; as well as numerous children's theatre productions through the Academy of Theatre Arts.

Michael LaBarge Lt. Shaw

Michael studied Theater Arts at the University of Mississippi before earning a Television Production and Programming degree from the University of South Florida. He has worked with broadcasters, independent producers and corporations throughout his career, but finds his most challenging and rewarding work to be volunteering with Evergreen Players. Michael looks forward to being active in Evergreen for years to come and would like to dedicate this and every endeavor to his phenomenal son, Quinn, and his wonderful wife, Beth.

Melissa Leppert Claire, Mrs. Shelley, Mrs. Winthrop, Nurse

Melissa has always been involved in music. She graduated from University of Northern Colorado with a music degree. She has sung with Evergreen Chorale and more recently as a worship leader at Marilyn Hickey's church in Colorado. She works in daycare with young children and hopes to be a worship leader in a church in the future.

Kate Lewis Mary Lennox understudy, Child

Kate has performed in several Colorado shows, including Cinderella, The King and I and the Denver Buell Theatre production of Dorian. She recorded singing parts in the nationally released CD of The Pied Piper and enjoyed acting camp and an off-Broadway performance in New York City. She would like to thank her family for all their support.

Mandi McKibbin Ogle Lily

Mandi is thrilled to be performing in her first show with Evergreen Players. While earning her master's degree at CU-Boulder, she was a member of the lyric opera program. She played the role of Mrs. Herring in Britten's Albert Herring and Dorabella in Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutte. Other favorite roles include sister Margaretta in Sound of Music (Evergreen Chorale) and Pitti Sing in The Mikado. Mandi lives in Evergreen with her husband Scott (Evergreen Players Board member and director). She is the music teacher at Bergen Valley and Bergen Meadow Elementary Schools.

Robert Riney Lt. Wright

This is Robert's first production with Evergreen Players and he is thrilled to be with such a talented cast and crew. He was last seen in Town Hall Arts Center's Jesus Christ Superstar. He also was in the same show at Arvada Center as Jesus. He was in numerous productions at Bear Creek High School including Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), Fiddler on the Roof (Motel), Bye Bye Birdie (Randolph). He would like to thank Rachel, the Brodners and his mom for everything they have done.

Joshua Rivera Colin understudy, Child

Joshua's works: The Forest of China in California, Circus, Circus at Bergen Meadow, Oliver Twist at Bergen Valley. The Secret Garden is his fourth show. He writes, "I think the theater is a great place to act because the theater has a lot of work and needs actors with excitement. When I grow up I want to be an actor because I like it."

Bobby Thornton Colin

Bobby, 11, has been performing since age 3, when he was discovered singing in a playgroup by Eleanor Wellman, a professional singer. He's performed in Oliver Twist, Annie, Charlotte's Web, and Wizard of Oz. He dances jazz and tap, and impersonates Jerry Seinfeld. Bobby would like to be a professional actor and tennis player. He thanks his family, and especially his mom for getting him to rehearsals.

Donna Worley Alice, Ayah

Donna has been doing musical theater for many years. Favorite roles include Sally Bowles in Cabaret, Evita, Agnes Gooch in Mame and Nellie Forbush in South Pacific. Performances in musical reviews include Closer Than Ever, Side by Side by Sondheim, Jacques Brel and Songs for a New World. She was recently seen as Aida in Over the River and Through the Woods. She is thrilled to be working with so many wonderful friends and talented performers.

P.K. Worley Director

P.K. has directed for the Evergreen Players, The Evergreen Chorale, Littleton Town Hall, Topeka Civic Theatre, Denver Civic Theater, Helen Hocker Theater, The Colorado Bar Association and the USO. He has provided the music design for many shows, and recently collaborated with Kathleen Davis arranging the accompaniment for last summer's production of Cinderella. What fun it is to be working with Kathleen again.

Production Crew

Images from The Secret Garden

Photography by Ellen Nelson and other volunteers.

Martha (Juliana Black) and Mary (Jamie Billings)

Mary (Jamie Billings) enters the garden

Mary (Jamie Billings) and Dickon (Matt Gottlieb)

Lili (Mandi McKibbin Ogle) and Archibald (Tyler Collins)

Rose (Becca Dellinger), Mary (Jamie Billings), Archibald (Tyler Collins) and Colin (Bobby Thornton)

Cast & Crew of 'The Secret Garden'