Lake Forest Theatre to Kick Off its Inaugural Season with THE SECRET GARDEN on June 10

Lake Forest Theatre presents its inaugural season opener, THE SECRET GARDEN, opening June 10 and running through July 2, with a press opening on Saturday, June 11, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. Managing Artistic Director Steve Malone will direct the season opener at the newly renovated John & Nancy Hughes Theatre, 400 East Illinois Rd. in downtown Lake Forest. The production will be accompanied by a 15-piece live orchestra.

The Tony Award winning musical THE SECRET GARDEN follows eleven-year-old orphan Mary Lennox on her return to Yorkshire, England from India. She returns to live with her reclusive uncle and ill cousin. Mary explores the grounds of her new home to discover a magic garden. There, she finds spirits from her past that offer guidance for her new life. The tale of forgiveness and renewal plays out with beautifully haunting melodies. THE SECRET GARDEN was written by composer Lucy Simon and Marsha Norman, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright of Night Mother. The musical adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett's 1911 novel originally premiered on Broadway in 1991, and earned a Tony award that same year.

THE SECRET GARDEN stars Kailey Albus with Carly Meyer.as "Mary Lennox;" Edward Fraim (Design for Living at The Rivendell Theatre and WOZ: A Rock Cabaret at Stage 773) as "Archibald Craven;" Edward MacLennan (Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and Monty Python's Spamalot at Stage 773) as "Dr. Neville Craven;" Elizabeth Mazur as "Martha;" Zachary Fewkes as "Colin;" Ken Rubenstein (Jesus Christ Superstar at Prairie Lakes Theatre and The Sound of Music at Brightside Theatre) as "Ben Weatherstaff;" Alison Stake as "Rose;" and Michelle McKenzie-Voigt (Beautiful Thing at Athenaeum Theatre Studio and H.M.S. Pinafore at Light Opera Works) as "Mrs. Medlock."

Alongside Malone and Assistant Director Connor Carlin, the production staff features Aaron Kaplan as Musical Director; Jason Clark as Master Builder; David Geinosky as Scenic Designer, Scenic Painter and Set Decorator; David Miller as Lighting Designer; Grace Heatherington-Tilka as Stage Manager; Ken Rubenstein as Sales Director; David Lundholm as Costume Designer; and Joanne Seaman as Seamstress.

The John & Nancy Hughes Theatre welcomes the Lake Forest Theatre performances following a $1.5 Million renovation in 2015. The 309-seat theatre features a state-of-the-art sound system and clear views from every seat.

THE SECRET GARDEN plays Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. Single show tickets are $49 and three show season tickets are $120. Tickets may be purchased online or at the box office. The box office opens thirty minutes prior to each show.

For information on purchasing single show or three show season tickets, call 847-604-4975 or email Pamela atpamela@LakeForestTheatre.org. For group sales of 10 or more, please call or email Ken at ken@LakeForestTheatre.org. Learn more about Lake Forest Theatre by visiting www.LakeForestTheatre.org.

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