Fairfield Center Stage Presents THE SECRET GARDEN

Fairfield Center Stage closes its inaugural season with the award-winning musical THE SECRET GARDEN, running May 10-19, 2019. All performances will take place at Pequot Library, 720 Pequot Ave, Fairfield CT 06890. Fairfield Center Stage, under the leadership of Executive Producer Eli Newsom and Artistic Director Christy McIntosh-Newsom, has dedicated its inaugural season to putting Fairfield “center stage” by highlighting several of Fairfield’s prominent venues with environmental theater.

The story revolves around young Mary Lennox, who is shuttled to England to live in her Uncle’s secluded and seemingly haunted mansion after her parents die in India. Once she finds the key to a secret garden, Mary begins to peel away the layers of sadness that cover the house and the garden, showing us the power that “one small girl” can have when she “wants things to grow.” FCS is staging a fully immersive production of the show, utilizing both the library’s auditorium and its grounds outside, with the audience following the action. Says Director Christy McIntosh-Newsom, “Having this classic children’s novel staged at this gorgeous library, and utilizing both the beautiful auditorium (which happens to feature the state’s oldest Steinway) and the nature outdoors will make this a truly unique and environmental experience.”

The cast of 25 local performers includes Nikki Adorante and Ainsley Dahlstrom as Mary Lennox (this role is double cast), Christopher Wilkes as Archibald Craven, Betsy Simpson-Wilkes as Lily Craven, Marc Improta as Dr. Neville Craven, Jenny Silence as Martha, Nick Carrano as Dickon, Nathan Horne as Colin Craven, Lauren Linn as Mrs. Medlock, James Hisey as Ben Weatherstaff, Eric Regan as Captain Albert Lennox, and Anne Collin as Rose Lennox. The ensemble includes: Matthew Casey, Milo Cenholt-Haulund, Lisa Dahlstrom, Jonathan David, John Demetre, Molly Forker, Dainelle Testoni-Gartner, Britton McGrath, Ainsley Novin, Jacqui Owens, Kenneth Skjeveland, Leslie Uhl, Nora Watson and Virgil Watson.

The production is Directed by Christy McIntosh-Newsom with Music Direction by Clay Zambo and Choreography by Jessica Rahrig.

The eight performance run is as follows: Fri May 10 @ 7:30pm (Opening Night), Sat May 11 @ 2pm, Sat May 11 @ 7pm, Sun May 12 @ 2pm, Fri May 17 @ 7:30pm, Sat May 18 @ 2pm, Sat May 18 @ 7pm, Sun May 19 @ 2pm (Closing performance). Seating begins 30 minutes before showtime, restrooms and concessions (wine/beer, soda, water, candy) will be available, and a large, free parking lot is on site.

Tickets are $25 for Orchestra, and $35 for Prime Orchestra. To order tickets, visit  www.fairfieldcenterstage.org

FCS’s 2018/19 season kicked off with the free event on Fairfield Commons outside of Fairfield Museum, THE MUSIC MAN IN CONCERT in June, and then followed with HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH at Trevi Lounge,  A CHRISTMAS CAROL EXPERIENCE at Burr Mansion, and DREAMGIRLS at Black Rock Church.

For additional information about Fairfield Center Stage, visit www.fairfieldcenterstage.org