New England Center for the Performing Arts Presents THE SECRET GARDEN, 3/13 & 3/14

Tickets will be available at the door for The Secret Garden to be presented by the Franklin Performing Arts Company on Saturday, March 13 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 14 at 2:00 p.m. at Thomas D. Mercer Auditorium in Franklin. A Tony Award winning musical with a beautiful score by Lucy Simon brings to life the classic story by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

The Secret Garden boasts a cast of talented area performers led by Franklin's Hallie Wetzell in the role of Lily and Nick Paone as Archibald Craven with Bob Matson of Medfield as Neville Craven. Guest performers and former Franklin residents Verena and Fred Letchford will appear as the housekeeper Mrs. Medlock and Ben Witherstaff the gardener. Ali Funkhouser, 13 of Franklin will play Mary Lennox with Graham Hancock, 13 of Franklin as Colin Craven. Jill Gleason, 17 of Franklin will play Martha with Michael Egan, 16 of Hopkinton as Dickon. Featured performers include Galen Hancock, Avery McStay, Meghan Dean, Chuck Peters, Ed Jones, Wendy Jones, and Christine DiMartino of Franklin; Lindsey White of Bellingham, Alan Mercer of Medway, Brian Steiner of Millis, and Elaine Shaw of Plainville. Twenty additional performers make up the show's ensemble of Dreamers. 

The Secret Garden orchestra will be conducted by Peter Cokkinias of Boston and features seventeen Boston and New York based musicians with Olivia DePrato of New York City, concertmistress. 

Tickets are available in advance at the FPAC Box Office at 34 Main Street (508-528-2887) through 4:00 on Saturday. Thereafter, tickets will be available at the door one hour prior to each performance.