Photo Flash: THE SECRET GARDEN Blooms at the New London Barn Playhouse

New London Barn Playhouse presents The Secret Garden, running June 28 - July 9.

Featuring Book & Lyrics by Marsha Norman, Music by Lucy Simon, Based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, the show will run at The New London Barn Playhouse, 84 Main Street, New London, NH 03257, directed by Richard Roland++ and choreographed by Jesse Factor, with music direction by Katie Siegmund.

The Secret Garden is the Tony Award-winning (1991, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score) adaptation of the beloved Victorian classic. Featuring a lyrical and flourishing score by Lucy Simon and a book by Pulitzer Prize winner Marsha Norman ('night, Mother), The Secret Garden tells the story of a lonely orphaned girl sent to live on the windswept Yorkshire moors with her reclusive uncle. While there, she unexpectedly discovers the magic of the natural world and the power of human connection.

The Barn is excited to welcome back New Hampshire Theatre Award winner Richard Roland (Ragtime, Brigadoon, Hairspray) to direct and NHTA nominee Jesse Factor (The Sound of Music, Carousel, Brigadoon) to choreograph. The cast features the talents of our extraordinary Acting Intern Company, who are joined by Guest Artists Daniel Schwait* (Annie Get Your Gun, City Center Encores!) playing Archibald Craven and Michael Padgett* (Music of the Night, North Shore Music Theatre; Phantom, Westchester Broadway Theatre) playing Neville Craven.

Additional casting includes local favorites Marc Willis (Brigadoon, How to Succeed…, Crazy for You) as Ben Weatherstaff and Debra Buckley (The Sound of Music, Les Miserables) as Mrs. Medlock. Additionally, former Acting Company Intern Talia Suskauer (2015 Acting Intern Company) returns to the Barn to play Lily Craven. 2017 Acting Company Interns featured in The Secret Garden include Kailey Boyle as Martha, Jacob Roberts-Miller as Dickon, and Liza Couser as Rose Lennox. Rounding out the ensemble are 2017 Acting Company Interns Julia Bain, Dalton Bertolone, Nick Case, Zack Collins, Robert Cueva, Elijah Dawson, Peter Garza, Nadina Hassan, Julia Hemp, Elana Valastro, and Dori Waymer.

Directed by Richard Roland, Lighting Design by Kyle Toth, Scenic Design by Travis George, Costume Design by Emily Kimbal, Sound Design by Benvolio Montmagny.

The Secret Garden runs for two weeks, Wednesday through Sunday (June 28-July 1, July 4-9). There is no performance on the 4th of July. Evening performances are at 7:30 Wednesday through Saturday and 5:00 pm on Sunday. Wednesday matinees are at 2:00 pm, with an additional Friday matinee on July 7. Tickets range from $19.50-$40.00, with Student Rush tickets available for $18.00. Please call 603-526-6710 or visit us at www.nlbarn.org to purchase seats.

Photo Credit: Jason Merwin

Elizabeth Packard and Michael Padgett*. Photo by Jason Merwin

Elizabeth Packard and Kailey Boyle. Photo by Jason Merwin.

Elana Valastro. Photo by Jason Merwin

Talia Suskauer and Daniel Schwait*. Photo by Jason Merwin

Nadina Hassan, Will Stedina, and Elizabeth Packard. Photo by Jason Merwin

Elizabeth Packard and Jacob Roberts-Miller. Photo by Jason Merwin.

Talia Suskauer and Will Stedina. Photo by Jason Merwin.

Nick Case, Elizabeth Packard, and Liza Couser. Photo by Jason Merwin.

Kailey Boyle, Jacob Roberts-Miller, Nick Case, Will Stedina, Liza Couser, Elizabeth Packard, and Marc Willis. Photo by Jason Merwin.

Daniel Schwait*, Talia Suskauer, and Elizabeth Packard. Photo by Jason Merwin.