THE SECRET GARDEN, Featuring Daisy Eagan, Extends Into the New Year in D.C.

Twenty-five years after the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical production of Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic children's story The Secret Garden, the Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) and the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle co-presents the timeless tale - now extended through Jan 8, 2017 - at Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street NW). The musical is directed by David Armstrong, Artistic Director at The 5th Avenue Theatre, with whom STC is co-producing the production.

The Secret Garden was created by Grammy Award-winning composer Lucy Simon and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Marsha Norman. The show's lush, melodic score and moving story of love, loss and renewal earned the 1991 Tony Award for Best Musical and won the hearts of its audiences. After 25 years, Simon and Norman are returning to their much-beloved musical to refine it for contemporary audiences.

Daisy Eagan, who became the youngest actress to ever receive a Tony Award for her performance as Mary Lennox in the original production in 1991, will take on the role of Martha, the young chambermaid who helps to bring Mary back to life. She will be joined by first-class musical theatre performers including: West End star Michael Xavier, making his U.S. debut as Archibald Craven; Broadway's Josh Young, whose credits include Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar; and Lizzie Klemperer, seen most recently in Bright Star. Making their STC debuts, the young leads will be played by D.C.-area actors Anya Rothman (Mary Lennox) and Henry Baratz (Colin Craven).

An impressive team of designers will create an atmospheric world that will transport Mary Lennox and the audience from Colonial India to the mysterious Misselthwaite Manor on the Yorkshire moors in the north of England. Tony Award-winning Costume Designer Ann Hould-Ward will return to STC after working with the Company on Man of La Mancha, Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2 and Romeo & Juliet. Scenic Designer Anna Louizos has been nominated for multiple Tony Awards for her work on the Broadway productions of The Mystery of Edwin Drood, High Fidelity and Lin-Manuel Miranda's In the Heights. Sound Designer Justin Stasiw returns to STC following his work on Kiss Me, Kate and is joined by Lighting Designer Michael Baldassari, another Broadway veteran (Cabaret, Nine). Rick Fox will serve as Music Supervisor, Music Director and Arranger, assisted by Associate Music Director BranDon Adams.

Rounding out the company are Alex Alferov (Ensemble/Soldier/Footman), Brittany Baratz(Rose/Ensemble), Jared Michael Brown (Lieutenant Wright/Ensemble), Mary Jo DuGaw (Claire/Mrs. Winthrop/Ensemble), Catherine Flye (Mrs. Medlock), Jason Forbach (Captain Albert Lennox), Charlie Franklin (Dickon), Seán G. Griffin (Ben Weatherstaff), Maya Maniar(Ayah), Happy McPartlin (Cook/Ensemble), Greg Stone (Major Holmes/Ensemble), Hayley Travers (Housemaid/Ensemble), Vishal Vaidya (Fakir), Ethan Watermeier (Major Shelly/Butler/Ensemble) and Billie Wildrick (Alice/Ensemble).

Design Team: Ann Hould-Ward (Costume Designer), Anna Louizos (Scenic Designer), Michael Baldassari (Lighting Designer), Justin Stasiw (Sound Designer), Rick Fox (Music Supervisor/Music Director/Arranger), BranDon Adams (Associate Music Director), Laura Stanczyk, CSA (Casting Director), Carter C. Wooddell (Resident Casting Director), Drew Lichtenberg (Literary Manager/Dramaturg), Lisa Beley (Dialect Coach), Craig Baldwin(Assistant Director), Charlie Marie McGrath (Directorial Assistant), Joseph Smelser (Production Stage Manager), Elizabeth Clewley (Assistant Stage Manager) and Kristy Matero (Assistant Stage Manager).

Photo Credit: Scott Suchman