by Terrance Mc Arthur

“Come to My Garden . . .”

Follow the music to the magic of The Secret Garden, the tuneful, mystical musical presented by the Good Company Players at Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater through November 10.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Francis Hodgson Burnett ruled the bookstores with bestsellers like Little Lord Fauntleroy, A Little Princess, and . . . The Secret Garden, books—though written for adults—which have become children’s classics. In 1991, it reached Broadway in musical form, with libretto by Marsha Norman and music by Lucy Simon (Carly Simon’s sister), featuring Mandy Patinkin and Fresno’s Robert Westenberg. GCP has produced the show before, but it’s worth another go, and Elizabeth Fiester directs it with love and respect. This staging benefits from GCP’s tradition of double casting children’s roles and challenging parts, alternating them in performances, along with choosing strong performers as understudies.

The Story—Found after her parents died in a cholera epidemic, ten-year-old Mary Lennox (Eliot Bonetto/Danielle Sarkisian) is brought from India to the Yorkshire moors of Edwardian England, to the estate of Archibald Craven (Teddy Maldonado), the widower of her late aunt Lily (Kaitlin Dean/Jenna Erickson). Given a cold welcome by Archibald-s brother, Dr. Neville Craven (R. L. Preheim) and the housekeeper, Mrs. Medlock (Carly Oliver), Mary is befriended by Martha (Haleigh Cook, understudied by Maisie Van Vleet), a chambermaid, and Martha’s nature-attuned brother Dickon (Thomas Hayes). Cries in the night lead the girl to a bedridden boy, Colin (Roman Alvarado/Jamie Parmer). Led by a robin and the spirit of Lily, Mary unlocks the estate’s “Secret Garden,” sealed since the woman’s death. The garden is a place of healing, bringing together characters and easing their emotional pains. Much of the story is told symbolically, with red fabric representing the spread of cholera and death, Indian servants (Camille Gaston, Michael Diaz) appearing as reminders of spiritual elements of the East along with the British characters and chorus of her childhood as dreamers of Mary’s nights (and movers of scenery).

On opening night, Sarkisian gave a spirited performance as Mary, a character full of kindness, compassion, and gumption. Bonetto, a newcomer to GCP, has a background in children’s theatre with CMT.
Maldonado is known for his comic abilities, but he produces a strong portrait of a man torn by sadness and guilt, ripping into his songs with power and longing. He stands in contrast (although they look quite similar) to Preheim, who carries resentment and a desire for power due to being rejected by Lily for his brother. Kaitlin Dean and Jenna Erickson alternate in the vocally-demanding character of Lily. Erickson soared through the songs on opening night, a soft, soothing presence. Dean has starred in GCP productions of Singing in the Rain and The Little Mermaid, and is known for powerful stage work.

Cook, fresh off her stellar run as Maria in GCP’s The Sound of Music, was unable to perform the opening weekend, but Van Vleet, on that-day’s-notice, took the stage, tackling the pivotal “Hold On” song with confidence. Hayes, as the young man who talked to animals and encouraged plants, brought a folksy charm to the role. Alvarado captured the fear of Colin, sure he would die, who is strengthened and enlivened by the garden’s magic; Parmer will fill the part with the energy he shows in the Junior Company’s pre-show tribute to the animals and forces of nature.

Oliver is frosty as the housekeeper, while Steve Souza—who choreographed the show—shines as a crusty gardener.

David Pierce’s sets and Ginger Kay Lewis-Reed’s costume designs are evocative, drawing the audience into the era and the settings of the play that garnered three Tony Awards and 709 performances in its Broadway run. The amazing tone qualities of the singers were coached by Judith Dickison, who has several of her voice students in the cast.

“Come to My Garden.” The Secret Garden will grow on you.

Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater is at 1226 N. Wishon Ave. at Olive Ave. For tickets and further information, go to gcplayers.com, or call (559) 266-9494.

If you love local theatre, be sure to check out Mysteryrat’s Maze Podcast, which features mysteries read by local actors. You can find the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, and also on podbean.

Check out more theatre reviews & other local entertainment articles in our Arts & Entertainment section. You can also find more theatre coming up on KRL’s Local Theatre event page.

Terrance V. Mc Arthur worked for the Fresno County Public Library for three decades. He is retired, but not retiring. A storyteller, puppeteer, writer, actor, magician, basketmaker, and all-around interesting person, his goal is to make life more unusual for everyone he meets.