Photo Flash: WPPAC's SECRET GARDEN Opens Tonight

A timeless tale turned Broadway hit, The Secret Garden is the final production of the White Plains Performing Arts Center's 2011-2012 Mainstage season. This award winning family musical is based on the beloved classic novel of the same name, written by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The Secret Garden runs from tonight, May 11 through May 27. The show stars Salena Qureshi, Lilli Jacobs, Stephen Tewksbury and Kristoffer Lowe. See below for photos from the production!

The Secret Garden is a coming of age story filled with wonderment and surprise. Mary, an eleven-year-old living in British India, is forced from her home by tragedy. She finds herself in Yorkshire, England, on the estate of her reclusive uncle, Archibald Craven. What ensues is a compelling mixture of love, suspense and rebirth in which the raw power of nature gives way to miracle and magic. The stunning musical score and classic story combine to create one of the most powerful theatrical experiences of all time.

The Secret Garden opened on Broadway in 1991 and won over audiences, winning three Tony Awards and three Drama Desk Awards. Much of its success is due to the award-winning creative team. The Secret Garden was penned by Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and playwright Marsha Norman, whose dialogue and lyrics have been featured in musicals such as The Color Purple and The Red Shoes. Norman's words are complimented by the intricate and beautiful score written by well-known composer Lucy Simon.

Lilli Jacobs and Salena Qureshi share the role of the orphan girl Mary Lennox, and will alternate performances. Also featured in the cast are Stephen Tewksbury (Broadway: PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and MISS SAIGON) as the misshapen Uncle Archibald, Kristoffer Lowe (Broadway: ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY and CHESS in CONCERT) as the black-hearted Dr. Craven, Gail Yudain as the housekeeper, Sheira Feuerstein as the wonderful cheerful maid, Thomas Kramer as the crusty old gardener Ben, Patrick G. McGee as Dickon, the boy who talks to animals, and Caitlin Fischer as ghost Lily.

Tickets, $40 ($30 for high school age patrons or younger), are available online at www.wppac.com, or by calling 914.323.1600. You may alsovisit the WPPAC box office Monday-Friday between 11 am and 5 pm. To keep up with the latest news, follow WPPAC on Facebook and Twitter.

The cast of The Secret Garden includes Victor Borjas, Matthew Curtis, Kathleen Desilva, Sheira Feuerstein, Caitlin Fischer, John Grieco, Leslie Jackson, Lilli Jacobs, Jake Kitchin, Thomas Kramer, Samantha Levy, Kristoffer Lowe, Patrick G. McGee, Salena Qureshi, Charlie Storck, Stephen Tewksbury, Ariana Valdes, Gary West, Gail Yudain and Daniel Zimberg. The Secret Garden is directed by Brian Swasey. George H. Croom is the musical director.

White Plains Performing Arts Center is located at 11 City Place in the heart of downtown White Plains. It's a pleasant 30-minute train ride from Grand Central Station and the easily accessible venue provides plentiful stress-free parking adjacent to the City Center complex.