DreamWrights to Present THE SECRET GARDEN

Written by Francis Hodgson Burnett and first published in 1910, The Secret Garden takes us on a journey through a different time and place. Set in India and England at the turn of the century, Artistic Director Diane Crews reveals, "This show is about people, my most favorite theme, and their ability to change and help others to change as well." In The Secret Garden, we meet two children who are almost impossible to like. A product of their upbringing, they were spoiled but not loved. They were taught they were better than everyone else. "Growing up with everything and nothing at the same time," explains Crews. "Can you imagine never having a friend? By the end of the story, we end up not only rooting for them, but also liking them."

Although an English children's literature classic, this particular story is special. Crews tell us how it came to be chosen. "Most available scripts for this story have very small casts with only three parts for children. So when Paige Hoke, who began her theatre career at DreamWrights many years ago, chose to adapt the book for a larger cast, we were eager to read it." Crews promises, "The result is truthful to the original material, and lets us meet many more characters from the novel." This DreamWrights production of The Secret Garden has a cast of 33, only seven of whom are adults.

But this adaptation is not without its challenges. Crews points out that the number of scenes and locations in the story is daunting, and would be all but impossible to manage on a traditional proscenium stage. Therefore, DreamWrights has adapted its seating to an alley configuration, which positions the audience on two sides of the space. Crews explains, "Alley staging will allow for the action to take place on both ends [of the stage] and up and down and in the middle of the audience. We have five different acting areas that include a home in India, the interior of the Misselthwaite Manor in England, the Manor's front garden, outside of the Sowerby's home, the village, the moor, and of course the secret garden."

Crews is excited. "It's a wonderful format that lets the audience use their imaginations right along with the actors. We can all see the wall around the garden, and at the same time be able to see right through it." The secret garden is not the only beautiful part of the set. DreamWrights is pleased to have the talents of Guest Set Designer, Allen Brenner, for this production. Brenner's design hasn't appeared at DreamWrights since The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in 2010, and it will beautifully transform the audience to faraway lands including the fascinating secret garden.

DreamWrights invites audiences of all ages to spend some time in The Secret Garden. This DreamWrights production will transform audiences to foreign lands at and a different era. Audiences will feel a million miles away in cultures that are so very different than ours; yet, still recognize the people and identify with the story and characters. The Secret Garden opens February 12 at 6:30 and runs for 12 shows: February 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 & 27 at 6:30pm and February 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 & 28 at 2:30pm. Tickets may be purchased online at www.dreamwrights.org or by calling 717-848-8623. Seats cost $10 for general, $14 for reserved.

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