Arden Theatre Company presents The Secret Garden
Music by Lucy Simon
Production co-conceived by Jorge Cousineau and Terrence J. Nolen
Based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett
On the F. Otto Haas Stage
May 12 – June 19, 2016
(Philadelphia, PA) Arden Theatre Company closes its 28th season with the Tony Award-winning THE SECRET GARDEN from May 12 through June 19, 2016. Book and lyrics are by Marsha Norman and music is by Lucy Simon. The production is co-conceived by Jorge Cousineau and Arden co-Founder and Producing Artistic Director, Terrence J. Nolen. THE SECRET GARDEN is based on the novel of the same title by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It runs on the Arden’s F. Otto Haas Stage at 40 N. 2nd Street in Philadelphia.
After the sudden death of her parents, ten-year-old Mary Lennox is sent to live with an uncle whom she’s never met. Mourning the loss of his own true love, Uncle Archibald is distant and strange. Cold, bleak Misselthwaite Manor, haunted by spirits and secrets of the past, is no place for a little girl. Strong-willed and brave-hearted, Mary finds solace in a locked-up, hidden garden, and with it, a path to rebirth, proving that hope can bloom from the darkest of places. With a heartwarming story and beautiful, soaring ballads, THE SECRET GARDEN is a musical treat for young and old alike.
THE SECRET GARDEN was nominated for seven Tony Awards in 1991, winning three for Best Book of a Musical, Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical and Best Scenic Design. It also won Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Book of a Musical, Outstanding Orchestrations and Outstanding Set Design.
In February, 2016, Manhattan Concert Productions presented two sold-out concert performances of THE SECRET GARDEN as part of its Broadway Series at Lincoln Center.
“We’ve always wanted to produce THE SECRET GARDEN,” says Producing Artistic Director Terrence J. Nolen. “Like all Arden shows, it stems from a great story, and those who love the book will be delighted by this musical adaptation. In addition, I think the score is one of the most beautiful that has ever been written with its moving ballads and haunting melodies.”
Jeffrey Coon is Archibald Craven and was, according to Nolen, “born to play this role.” The cast includes two children actors: Baily Ryon will play 10-year old Mary Lennox and Hudson Orfe will play 10-year old Colin.
“We went through an extensive casting process to find kids who could handle these incredibly challenging roles,” says Nolen.
Bailey Ryon hails from Lancaster, PA, and won a special Tony Award for her appearance on Broadway as one of four of the original Matildas. She also appeared in the National Tour of How the Grinch Stole Christmas and regionally in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
12-year old Hudson Orfe lives in Titusville, NJ, and is currently a student at American Boychoir School where he is a regularly featured soloist. He has appeared with the Philadelphia Orchestra and performed the role of Amahl in Amahl and the Night Visitor with Kyrenia Opera in Astoria, New York. He appeared as Michael in Peter Pan at Kelsey Theatre in Princeton Junction, NJ, and as the lion in The Jungle Book at Hopewell Valley Children’s Theatre in New Jersey.
Additional cast includes Elisa Matthews as Lily Craven, Sarah Gliko as Rose Lennox, James Stabp as Captain Albert Lennox, Jim Hogan as Dr. Neville Craven, Sally Mercer as Mrs. Medlock, Alex Keiper as Martha, Steve Pacek as Dickon, Anthony Lawton as Ben and Scott Greer.
Schedule and Tickets
THE SECRET GARDEN begins previews on Thursday, March 12, 2016, opens to the press on Wednesday, May 18, 2016, and runs through Sunday, June 19, 2016. A Pay What You Can performance on Wednesday, March 11th benefits Fairmount Park Conservancy. The Opening Night sponsor is Harmelin Media and reception sponsors are JPM Catering, Wines ‘Til Sold Out and Lagunitas Brewing Company.
Single ticket prices are $36-$50, with discounts available for groups of 15 or more, seniors, students, military, and educators. Call the Arden Box Office at 215.922.1122, or view details and order online here or visit the box office at 40 N. 2nd Street in Old City, Philadelphia.
Special Events and Performances
Post-show discussions will be held following performances on Thursday, May 26 at 8pm, Sunday, May 29 at 2pm, Wednesday, June 1 at 6:30pm, Sunday, June 5 at 2pm and Wednesday, June 8 at 6:30pm.
The Arden is wheelchair accessible and provides assisted listening devices and large-print programs at every performance. Open Captioned and Audio Described performances will take place on Friday, June 10 at 8pm and Saturday, June 11 at 2pm. Reservations are required for accessible seating and may be made by calling the Arden’s Box Office at 215.922.1122.
About the Arden
Founded in 1988, Arden Theatre Company is dedicated to bringing to life great stories by great storytellers–on the stage, in the classroom, and in the community. Five productions are staged each season as part of the Mainstage series and two productions through Arden Children’s Theatre, the city’s first resident professional children’s theatre program. New work is produced through the Independence Foundation New Play Showcase. The Arden’s Education Department includes: Arden for All (AFA), a theatre access and education program for underserved young people; Arden Drama School, the after-school, Saturday, and summer camp classes for students in grades pre K-12; Teen Arden, an immersive after-school access program for Philadelphia-area based teenagers; and the Arden Professional Apprentice Program, a nationally renowned comprehensive theatre management training program. The Hamilton Family Arts Center is the new facility dedicated to education programs and new play development.
The Arden has received numerous honors including 63 awards and 307 nominations from the Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre. The Arden is a winner of four “Theatre Company of the Year” designations (Philadelphia Inquirer), six Philadelphia Magazine “Best of Philly” awards and three “Best of Philly Kids” awards, the City Paper’s Reader’s Choice Award and the prestigious “Great Friend to Kids Award” from the Please Touch Museum for Arden Children’s Theatre work. For accessibility efforts, the Arden was named a “Keystone of Accessibility” by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Arden Theatre Company is a professional, nonprofit 501(c)(3) theatre company and a member of the Theatre Communications Group, the League of Resident Theatres, Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Old City Arts Association. The Arden also participates in The Barrymore Awards, a program of Theatre Philadelphia.
LISTINGS EDITORS:
WHAT:
THE SECRET GARDEN
Book & Lyrics by Marsha Norman
Music by Lucy Simon
Co-conceived by Jorge Cousineau and Terrence J. Nolen
May 12 – June 19, 2016
Press Opening: Wednesday, May 18, 2016
F. Otto Haas Stage
SUMMARY:
After the sudden death of her parents, ten-year-old Mary Lennox is sent to live with an uncle whom she’s never met. Mourning the loss of his own true love, Uncle Archibald is distant and strange. Cold, bleak Misselthwaite Manor, haunted by spirits and secrets of the past, is no place for a little girl. Strong-willed and brave-hearted, Mary finds solace in a locked-up, hidden garden, and with it, a path to rebirth, proving that hope can bloom from the darkest of places. With a heartwarming story and beautiful, soaring ballads, THE SECRET GARDEN is a musical treat for young and old alike.
WHERE:
Arden Theatre Company
40 N. 2nd Street, Old City Philadelphia 19106
WHEN:
May 12 – June 19, 2016
TICKETS:
Call the Box Office at 215.922.1122 or visit www.ardentheatre.org or walk-up at the box office, 40 N. 2nd Street
$36-$50 for adults depending on the performance chosen
Group discounts available for 15+
Student Rush tickets at the door 30 minutes before curtain for $10 cash, pending availability (must present valid student ID)
CAST:
Archibald Craven – Jeffrey Coon
Lily Craven – Elisa Matthews
Mary Lennox – Baily Ryon
Rose Lennox – Sarah Gliko
Captain Albert Lennox – James Stabp
Colin Craven – Hudson Orfe
Dr. Neville Craven – Jim Hogan
Martha – Alex Keiper
Dickon – Steve Pacek
Mrs. Medlock – Sally Mercer
Ben – Anthony Lawton
Ensemble – Scott Greer
ARTISTIC TEAM:
Book and Lyrics
Marsha Norman
Music
Lucy Simon
Production Co-Conceived by:
Jorge Cousineau and Terrence J. Nolen
Music Director
Ryan Touhey
Scenic/Video Designer
Jorge Cousineau
Costume Designer
Olivera Gajic
Lighting Designer
Solomon Weisbard
Sound/Video Designer
Daniel Perelstein
Choreographer
Niki Cousineau
Remaining shows in the Arden’s 2015/16 Season include:
The Stinky Cheese Man, Based on the book by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith – April 6 – June 12, 2016
The Secret Garden, Book and Lyrics by Marsha Norman, Music by Lucy Simon – May 12 – June 19, 2016