BWW Reviews: SECRET GARDEN at St. Edwards University is Haunting and Beautiful

The last few times I've seen a production at St. Edwards University's Mary Moody Northern Theatre, I've had to remind myself that I'm viewing a show featuring a cast of mostly college students. Every time, the production is of professional quality, and their current production of The Secret Garden is no exception. All audience members are bound to be mesmerized by the physical beauty of the stagecraft and the incredible performances.

The Tony Award-winning musical with music by Lucy Simon and book and lyrics by Marsha Norman closely follows the classic novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The dour Mary Lennox (Paige Bradbury) is sent to her Uncle Archibald's estate after her parents die in India. Though she's instructed not to explore the grounds, Mary is an inquisitive child with a mind of her own. She discovers both her sickly cousin Colin and a neglected garden which she nurtures. Slowly, Mary begins to find her happiness and manages to bring her broken family back together.

Though the story has been dramatized through countless movies, plays, and (as of this year) an opera, the musical version is arguably the most effective of the bunch. Simon's Tony nominated score is a complex and pleasing mix of British folk music, Indian themes and chants, and a touch of pop, and the eight piece orchestra lead by Musical Director Susan Finnigan makes the score sound full and lush. Though Norman's Tony winning book stays very faithful to the novel, it's inventive in how it allows the story to unfold, particularly utilizing a chorus of ghosts of the past to help move the action along and to give us brief flashbacks relevant to the story.

Without a doubt, Simon and Norman have created one of the most beautiful, well-crafted, and sadly underrated musicals of the last 25 years, and the cast in the St. Edwards production is of the same stratospheric caliber. The ensemble cast, comprised of St. Edwards students, are all fine actors with fantastic voices who are able to handle the intense demands of Simon's score. Of the students in featured roles, Sophia Franzella and Tyler Mount shine as Mary's servant, Martha, and as the young gardener, Dickon. Franzella's incredibly likeable as soon as she steps on the stage, and every one of her moments is pure delight, particularly her solo songs of "If I Had a Fine White Horse" and "Hold On." As the unsophisticated and unpretentious Dickon, Mount is fantastic. He also tackles the lyrically challenging "Winter's on the Wing" without breaking a sweat.

The student performers also share the stage with several professional guest artists. The beautiful Cara Johnston is perfect as Lily Craven. As Uncle Archibald's deceased wife, she doesn't get much to do other than serve as a symbol of Arcibald's pain and anguish, but Johnston's acting and voice during her brief moments are superb, and her Act II ballad "How Could I Ever Know" may have you choking back tears. Greg Holt is extraordinary as Uncle Archibald. His tenor voice is wonderful, and his performance is altogether moving. While the reclusive, wounded, sorrowful Archibald may come off as whiney and unsympathetic when in the hands of other actors, Holt has the audience on his side throughout the entire show. David M. Long gives a similarly effective performance as Archibald's brother and adversary, Dr. Neville Craven. Long smartly creates a nuanced character out of what could be no more than a villainous opponent to Archibald and Mary, and when he shares the stage with Holt, the energy is electric. Their duet "Lily's Eyes" will surely give you chills.

But of the cast, the young actors in the roles of Colin and Mary are the most memorable. Fifth grader William Wallingford is terrific as the stubborn, angry Colin, a boy who is certain he will die of his illnesses, partially because he's been told as much his entire life. And as Mary, Paige Bradbury is outstanding. Like Wallingford, she's able to play the cold, angry, resentful side of her character, but she's also able to make her transformation to a happier, more fulfilled young woman a believable and captivating one. Though Bradbury doesn't need to carry the show considering the amazing talent around her, she certainly could if cast in the same show with a less-talented group of actors.

As is often the case with productions at St. Edwards University, the stagecraft of the creative team is among the best in Central Texas. An intimate theater-in-the-round venue like the Mary Moody Northern Theatre certainly makes it difficult to create a sprawling English mansion, but set designer Leilah Stewart does so through a minimalistic approach. With a few paintings of the English countryside and a few balcony platforms set behind the seating areas, Stewart creates a setting that easily transforms itself according to the needs of the show. The rich and evocative lighting by Kathryn Eader compliments the set beautifully, and the costumes by Susan Branch Towne are exquisitely detailed, particularly the beaded dresses worn by Lily and many of the other ghosts. While the show may not rely heavily on dance, the choreography by Danny Herman and Rocker Verastique is incredibly pleasing and dazzling, particularly the Indian-inspired dance sequences.

The highest praise, however, belongs to director RoBert Westenberg. Best known for his Tony nominated role as The Wolf/Cinderella's Prince in the original cast of Into the Woods and for originating the role of Dr. Neville Craven in the Original Broadway Cast of The Secret Garden, Westenberg is clearly as strong a director as he is a performer. His attention to helping his cast create believable relationships and characters is constantly apparent, as is his thoughtful approach to the plot, story, and pacing. He also creates many visually poetic moments. The opening sequence in which Mary's entire community dies of cholera is handled with memorable finesse and creativity. Westenberg's decision to depict a robin who befriends Mary via the use of ladies' fans is inventive, as is his creation of hallways by the use of his ensemble and a few pieces of fabric. Many of Westenberg's ideas are so breathtaking, one wonders when this Broadway actor will finally turn to directing on the Great White Way.

It's rare that a cast and crew can create a show as flawless and magical as The Secret Garden. This is one production that is bound to be talked about throughout Central Texas for years and is not to be missed.

Running time: 2 hours and 15 minutes, including one 15 minute intermission.

Photo: Tyler Mount (L) and Paige Bradbury (R) in THE SECRET GARDEN. Photo by Bret Brookshire.

THE SECRET GARDEN plays the Mary Moody Northern Theatre at St. Edwards University now thru June 30th. The theater is located at 3001 S. Congress Avenue, Austin 78704. Performances are Thursday thru Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2pm. Tickets are $20-$25. For tickets and information, please visit http://think.stedwards.edu/theatre/

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