Marsha Norman News

Virginia Richardson, who stunned audiences at September's First Night Honors gala with her performance of "Ring of Keys" from the Tony Award-winning musical Fun Home, will play the young heroine Mary Lennox in Roxy Regional Theatre's upcoming production of The Secret Garden, running November 13-27 in Clarksville.

The haunting moors of England will come to life at the Roxy Regional Theatre in the enchanting musical THE SECRET GARDEN, playing November 13 through November 27.

Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, THE COLOR PURPLE, will be published in a new tie-in edition featuring the show artwork for the upcoming Broadway musical revival.

Contra Costa Civic Theatre (CCCT) continues its 56th season with the Tony award-winning musical, The Secret Garden, directed and choreographed by Roger Welch in his Bay Area debut, with music direction by Kevin Roland. The Secret Garden plays from November 20 through December 20; performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm at the theatre.

Musical Theatre Factory, in association with The Chelsea Symphony, has just announced the lineup for its gala concert event GET YOURSELF SOME NEW ORCHESTRATIONS, the launch of an exciting new series which pairs emergent musical theatre writers with Broadway orchestrators to commission stunning new orchestrations of their shows.

The full cast is set for the first national tour of THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, opening at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre on December 10, 2015, and playing through January 17, 2016. (Previews on December 8 and 9.)

Following the announcement of Friends in Theater Company and State of Play Productions, a second show of "The Secret Garden" has been added due to high ticket demand.

Full casting has been announced for the first national tour of THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY. Joining the previous announced Elizabeth Stanley (On the Town, Million Dollar Quartet) as Francesca and Andrew Samonsky (The Hunchback of Notre Dame, South Pacific) as Robert are Cullen R. Titmas (The Last Ship, Avenue Q) as Bud, Mary Callanan (Mamma Mia!, Annie) as Marge,  David Hess (Sweeney Todd, Annie Get Your Gun) as Charlie, Dave Thomas Brown (The Legend of Georgia McBride, Heathers) as Michael, Caitlin Houlahan (Parade at Lincoln Center) as Carolyn  and Katie Klaus (The Bridges of Madison County Original Broadway Cast Member,  Bonnie & Clyde) as Marian/Chiara/State Fair Singer. The ensemble comprises Cole Burden (Les Miserables), Caitlyn Caughell (Newsies), Brad Greer (I Am Harvey Milk at Lincoln Center), Lucy Horton (Cats), Amy Linden (Cheer Wars), Trista Moldovan (The Phantom of the Opera), Jessica Sheridan (Sister Act), Matt Stokes (Jesus Christ Superstar), Tom Treadwell (Annie) and Bryan Welnicki (Peter and the Starcatcher). THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY company will soon head into rehearsals in New York in preparation for the tour launch at the Des Moines Civic Center November 28 - December 5.

Des Moines Performing Arts, in partnership with THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY national tour and the Madison County Chamber of Commerce, just welcomed Elizabeth Stanley and Andrew Samonsky, who will star as Francesca Johnson and Robert Kincaid in THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY's upcoming national tour. The duo performed selections from the musical at the 46th Annual Madison County Covered Bridge Festival in Winterset, Iowa. THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, winner of the 2014 Tony Award for Best Original Score and Best Orchestrations, is famously set in Iowa and will launch its national tour at the Des Moines Civic Center November 28 - December 5. Go behind the scenes of the special day below!

Edie Brickell and Carmen Cusak have been added to the roster of performers for The Lilly Awards Broadway Cabaret, an evening of musical showstoppers written by women and performed by Broadway's best to benefit The Lilly Awards Foundation (Marsha Norman, President) whose mission is to promote gender parity at all levels of theatrical production, and develop and celebrate the work of women in the theater.

The Dramatists Guild of America, Inc is pleased to announce the publication of the November/December issue of The Dramatist. This issue will feature "Why The Count Matters" by Marsha Norman; "The Count" full report by Julia Jordan and Rebecca Stump; "Responses to The Count" by Rehana Lew Mirza, Mario Correa, Maxie Rockymore, Jonathan Reynolds, Velina Hasu Houston, Dana Levinson, and Steven Dietz; "Why Parity?" by Madeleine George and Lisa Kron.

Des Moines Performing Arts, in partnership with THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY national tour and the Madison County Chamber of Commerce, just welcomed Elizabeth Stanley and Andrew Samonsky, who will star as Francesca Johnson and Robert Kincaid in THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY's upcoming national tour. The duo performed selections from the musical at the 46th Annual Madison County Covered Bridge Festival in Winterset, Iowa. THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, winner of the 2014 Tony Award for Best Original Score and Best Orchestrations, is famously set in Iowa and will launch its national tour at the Des Moines Civic Center November 28 - December 5.

Every once in a while a theater-goer is privileged to participate in a staged production that aesthetically enfolds them. Under the creative direction of Victoria Bussert, Great Lakes Theater's THE SECRET GARDEN, is such a creation.

Musical Theatre Factory in association with The Chelsea Symphony will present the gala concert event "Get Yourself Some New Orchestrations," the launch of an exciting new series which pairs emergent musical theatre writers with Broadway orchestrators to commission stunning new orchestrations of their shows. Excerpts from four new musicals (and one reimagined favorite!) will be brought to life by the 35-piece Chelsea Symphony and a cast of Broadway stars. In addition to the new works audiences will also get to enjoy an exclusive performance of the touring cast of The Bridges of Madison County, staring Elizabeth Stanley and Andrew Samonsky.  "New Orchestrations," will take place at Merkin Concert Hall (129 W 67th St) on Monday, November 9, 2015 at 8PM.  Tickets are $50 and are available online at mtf.nyc/neworchestrations.

Friends in Theater Company announces their 2016 production: The Secret Garden. The one-night-only performance will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York and Western New York. Directed and choreographed by Curtis Holbrook, The Secret Garden will feature original cast members and Broadway stars on Monday, January 11, 2016 at 7:30pm at the Lucille Lortel Theater (121 Christopher Street New York, NY 10014).

Theater Works 30th Season continues with the YouthWorks production The Secret Garden opening Friday, November 6. Winner of multiple Tony Awards, The Secret Garden is a captivating story, brought to life with enchanting music and wondrous lyrics, based on the 1911 novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. When Mary Lennox, a young English girl born and raised in the British Raj, is orphaned, she is sent back to England to live with her embittered, reclusive uncle Archibald and his invalid son, Colin. There she discovers a neglected, magical secret garden. Through her care and love, she brings new life to the garden and to her new home. Book and Lyrics by Marsha Norman, Music by Lucy Simon.

Manhattan Concert Productions has announced initial casting, leadership, and ticketing information for their concert performances of Tony award-winning musical The Secret Garden in its 25th Anniversary year. Both concerts will take place at David Geffen Hall (formerly known as Avery Fisher Hall), Lincoln Center on February 21, 2016 and February 22, 2016, both at 8pm. The Secret Garden marks the fourth installment of Manhattan Concert Productions' Broadway Series that has included Ragtime, Titanic, and Parade. The concert performances of The Secret Garden will feature a chorus of over 200 singers from the across the United States, a professional cast and creative team, and the enlarged forces of the New York City Chamber Orchestra. 

Mad Cow Theatre has announced the cast and creative team for the poignant musical The Secret Garden, with book and lyrics by Marsha Norman and music by Lucy Simon, based on the 1911 classic novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The Secret Garden will open Nov. 20, 2015 in the Harriett Theatre at Mad Cow Theatre in downtown Orlando.

Manhattan Concert Productions has announced initial casting, leadership, and ticketing information for their concert performances of Tony award-winning musical The Secret Garden in its 25th Anniversary year. Both concerts will take place at David Geffen Hall (formerly known as Avery Fisher Hall), Lincoln Center on February 21, 2016 and February 22, 2016, both at 8pm. The Secret Garden marks the fourth installment of Manhattan Concert Productions' Broadway Series that has included Ragtime, Titanic, and Parade. The concert performances of The Secret Garden will feature a chorus of over 200 singers from the across the United States, a professional cast and creative team, and the enlarged forces of the New York City Chamber Orchestra. 

Des Moines Performing Arts, in partnership with THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY national tour and the Madison County Chamber of Commerce, will host two special guests this weekend in Iowa's covered bridge capital. On Saturday, October 10, Elizabeth Stanley and Andrew Samonsky, who will star as Francesca Johnson and Robert Kincaid in THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY's upcoming national tour, will perform selections from the musical at the 46th Annual Madison County Covered Bridge Festival in Winterset, Iowa at 2 p.m. The performance will take place on the Mel Penrod Stage, located on the south side of the Iowa Courthouse Square. THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, winner of the 2014 Tony Award for Best Original Score and Best Orchestrations, is famously set in Iowa and will launch its national tour at the Des Moines Civic Center November 28 - December 5.