Frances Hodgson Burnett News

Chattanooga Theatre Center started their 2013-2014 season with a bang. Family friendly musical The Secret Garden opened on September 6th with direction by Mike Lees and choreography by Jessica Laliberte Bowman.

Full casting is announced today for the three-time Tony Award-winning musical THE SECRET GARDEN, which will be brought to life in an intimate concert staging to tour the UK from October 2013.

Fiddlehead Theatre Company has announced its 2013-2014 season, the premiere season as Resident Theatre Company at Boston's Historic Strand Theatre (543 Columbia Road, Dorchester, MA). Fiddlehead Theatre Company has a 20-year history of presenting professional theatre and educational programming for the Boston area and is committed to producing theatre that uplifts while engaging audiences in current issues.

Classic literary heroes are waiting to inspire a new generation of young readers. In her latest book, author Kathleen Schuller highlights some of her favorite books featuring male heroes. Classics such as 'Treasure Island' by Robert Louis Stevenson, 'Little Men' by Louisa May Alcott and 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen provide plenty of examples of heroes to inspire boys.

The last few times I've seen a production at St. Edwards University's Mary Moody Northern Theatre, I've had to remind myself that I'm viewing a show featuring a cast of mostly college students. Every time, the production is of professional quality, and their current production of The Secret Garden is no exception. All audience members are bound to be mesmerized by the physical beauty of the stagecraft and the incredible performances.

While it does have a few areas that could improve and may be a long night for the kids, Sam Bass's double header of The Secret Garden and The Yellow Boat is overall an enjoyable evening of theatre that will entertain and enchant the kids while moving the adults to tears.

Fountain Hills Theater presents its 2013-14 seasons for its three venues, Mainstage, Mainstage Too and Youth Theater.

Teachers have one of the hardest and most rewarding jobs, and touch the lives of almost every one of us. What better way to honor such an influential person than by presenting them with their very own, one-of-a-kind personalized classic from Book By You?

Everyone needs a hero, especially young girls. Avid reader and author Kathleen Schuller showcases her favorite heroines in this new book, sharing ideas with a new generation of young readers who may not have read these inspiring books yet. None of these literary heroines is perfect, but they grow in spirit thanks to circumstances and influence from others. Schuller aims to help young girls visualize the virtues of these heroines and apply them to their own lives.

Mary Moody Northen Theatre, the award-winning producing arm of the St. Edward's University professional theatre training program, concludes its 40th anniversary season with The Secret Garden, music by Lucy Simon, book and lyrics by Marsha Norman, based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett and directed by Broadway veteran Robert Westenberg, running June 13 - 30, 2013.

Today in 1991, The Secret Garden opened at the St. James Theatre, where it ran for 709 performances.The Secret Garden is a musical based on the 1911 novel of the same name by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The musical's book and lyrics are by Marsha Norman, with music by Lucy Simon. Directed by Susan H. Schulman with choreography by Michael Lichtefeld, the cast featured Daisy Eagan, Mandy Patinkin, and Rebecca Luker. It won the 1991 Tony Awards for Best Book of a Musical, Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Daisy Eagan), and Best Scenic Design (Heidi Landesman).

Berkeley Playhouse has announced the lineup for its sixth season. The family-friendly season of musicals timeless and new opens in October with Andrew Lippa and Brian Crawley's enchanting A LITTLE PRINCESS, directed by Berkeley Playhouse Artistic Director Elizabeth McKoy. Marissa Wolf returns to the company to direct Meredith Wilson's THE MUSIC MAN in February, followed by THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE in April, directed by Kimberly Dooley. Closing the MainStage season is SHREK THE MUSICAL directed by Elizabeth McKoy in July. In addition to the MainStage season, the company will present winter, spring, and fall YouthStage productions. The entire 2013-14 season will be staged at the Julia Morgan Theater (2640 College Avenue) in Berkeley. Subscriptions ($54-$112) on-sale March 23; single tickets ($17-$60) on-sale August 1. For tickets and information, the public may visit berkeleyplayhouse.org or call 510-845-8542x351.

Every year, Stoneham Theatre seeks out stories and shows that will entertain, amuse, and surprise audiences. 'We pride ourselves on our variety,' Producing Artistic Director Weylin Symes shared. 'And this season is no different, with new and familiar titles and hopefully something a little unexpected.' Stoneham Theatre's Season 14 boasts a hip new comedy direct from Broadway, a fresh take on a classic horror story, a holiday favorite, a silly, murder mystery musical, a Tony Award-winning musical, and one show yet to be announced. 'We are very excited to present our 14th season of professional theatre right here in Metro North and pleased to share this new slate of shows with the public,' Managing Director Debra Rafson added.

Deadline has announced that Lucy Alibar, co-writer of THE BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD, has signed on to join acclaimed director/producer Guillermo del Toro for an upcoming interpretation of THE SECRET GARDEN. Del Toro will not direct - but will produce alongside Mark Johnson.

Over the past two years Imagination Theater has partnered with the Placerville Kiwani's Club to reach out to local families in the community. On December 11th, a special, private showing of A Little Princess, was held for groups from New Morning Shelter, CASA El Dorado, Family Connections, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

Imagination Theater ihas announced A Little Princess, running through the holiday season. This engaging musical adaptation is based on the classic novel, A Little Princess, by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Sara Crewe, heiress to a large fortune, is enrolled at Miss Minchin's Select Seminary for Young Ladies in Victorian England. At first her life is happy, but news arrives that her father has died and her fortune is lost. Sara is forced to become a servant and must live in a small attic room that seems no better than a prison cell. When a mysterious gentleman from India takes the house next door, some strange and curious things begin to happen. A touching and beautiful score adds a magical touch to this enchanting show. This show is suitable for the whole family.

The triumph of a young girl who loses everything but her kindness and imagination is celebrated in ArtsPower's hit holiday musical "A Little Princess Christmas," coming to Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theatre today, Nov. 10. Shows will be presented at 2 and 4 p.m. Kelsey Theatre is located on the college's West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road.

Imagination Theater has announced for the upcoming holidays, A Little Princess, opening Friday, November 30 and running through Sunday, December 23. This engaging musical adaptation is based on the classic novel, A Little Princess, by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Sara Crewe, heiress to a large fortune, is enrolled at Miss Minchin's Select Seminary for Young Ladies in Victorian England. At first her life is happy, but news arrives that her father has died and her fortune is lost. Sara is forced to become a servant and must live in a small attic room that seems no better than a prison cell. When a mysterious gentleman from India takes the house next door, some strange and curious things begin to happen. A touching and beautiful score adds a magical touch to this enchanting show. This show is suitable for the whole family.

Celebrity marriages usually do not last very long. However, in the case of Resorts World Manila's THE KING AND I stars and real-life couple Shiela Valderrama-Martinez, who plays the British teacher Anna Leonowens in the classic Broadway musical, and Lorenz Martinez, who plays the Burmese emissary Lun Tha in the same production, it is almost the opposite: Shiela and Lorenz have been inseparable since they first met 11 years ago.