BWW Reviews: Court Stages a Regal SECRET GARDEN Revival

Something magical is blooming in the Charles Newell's superb revival of "The Secret Garden" at the Court Theatre through June 21.

I have seen countless productions of the musical, based on Frances Hodgson Burnett's 1911 novel of the same name -including the original Broadway cast of the Tony-award winning 1991 production with book and lyrics by Marsha Norman and music by Lucy Simon. The book, a classic example of Edwardian literature, was one of the first books I can remember my mom reading to me. Suffice to say, my connection to the source material runs deep.

Though considered a work of children's literature (and the musical is considered I suppose by some to be children's theater), its plot touches on some decidedly adult themes: illness, loss, isolation, grief and, since it is turn of the century Great Britain, culture and class as well.

The show begins in colonial India in 1906. Young Mary Lennox (Tori Whaples) is virtually ignored by her parents and left in the care of her Indian nanny (played by Alka Nayyar). Mary's vain mother Rose (Allison Sill) is too busy entertaining to parent, her father Capt. Albert Lennox (Kevin Webb) seems unable to stand up to his wife. The abandonment turns out to be a blessing as a cholera outbreak kills everyone except Mary.

Now orphaned, she is sent to live with her only remaining living relative, Archibald Craven (Rob Lindley) who lords over a gloomy North Yorkshire manor. Craven has spent the past decade mourning over the loss of his wife Lily (Jennie Sophie), who died in childbirth. Neither uncle nor niece has had much human interaction of late and Mary has her late Aunt's hazel eyes.

She also arrives to the manor with baggage in the form of the ghosts of her parents and nanny. They join the ghost of Craven's wife Lily, who also haunts the manor. It prompts the cantankerous gardener Ben (James Earl Jones II) to quip that the ghosts outnumber the living.

He's not quite correct, though. Among the living are a prim housekeeper (Marya Grandy), a spirited chambermaid Martha (Elizabeth Ledo), her free-spirited brother Dickon (Aubrey McGrath), Archibald's invalid son Colin (Trent Noor) and Archibald's physician brother Neville (who may or may not have the boy's best interest at heart as he would inherit everything should brother and nephew die).

Then there is the matter of the secret garden -the walled off preserve that was once a favorite of Lily, but locked and abandoned after her death. Mary's interest in the garden is initially in taking a peek inside somewhere she has been forbidden to go, but before long it appears the neglected garden might just hold the power to save Mary, her cousin and her Uncle from what ails them.

The show features two demanding roles for child actors. As Mary, Whaples is something of a marvel. Her Mary begins the show quite contrary and yet still likeable. We see her grow and her character soften before our eyes. It's a complex, sophisticated performance with nuances that one would not normally expect from an actress of her age. Additionally, her singing voice is clarion and emotionally expressive (the money notes on "I Heard Someone Crying" have never sounded better).

Noor is equally exceptionally. His scenes with Whaples in which the two cousins initially lock horns/wits produce some fireworks. His countertenor singing opposite Sophia on "Come To My GardenLift Me Up "resonates with all of the love, loss and regret required of his character. It makes for a beautiful and emotionally powerful moment of theater.

Lindley turns in another Jeff-worthy performance as a man so wracked with grief that he is barely able to go on living. The scene he shares with Sophia's Lily immediately show us why he loved her and how the loss has truly devastated him.

Also worth noting is Nayyar's performance as Mary's Ayah. Classic rhythms and movement have always played a role in show, but Nayyar's performance -along with musical director Doug Peck's arrangements that include a sitar, seem to bring these elements into a stronger focus than before.

Court's production will likely be an emotionally cathartic experience for anyone who has ever suffered a loss. Still, sometimes it is only tears that can bring the grief-stricken back to the world of the living to tend our gardens.

"The Secret Garden" runs through June 21 at the Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis. Tickets, $45-$65. (773) 753-4472. www.courttheatre.org.

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