In an unprecedented collaboration, CAPA, The Phoenix Theatre for Children and Opera Columbus have joined forces to produce and present an adaptation of the Tony Award-winning musical play The Secret Garden.
This special production will be performed simultaneously in spoken English and American Sign Language (ASL), and will showcase the skills of both deaf and hearing actors on stage together. Based on a novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden is the classic story of an orphan girl who finds life and happiness by tending “a bit of earth”—a story that has charmed both children and adults for generations. The book and lyrics are by Marsha Norman and the music is by Lucy Simon.
The Secret Garden will run Nov. 15-18 at the Southern Theatre (21 E. Main St.) and is made possible through the support of AEP, Crane Plastics, Wendy’s, Dorothy E. Ann Fund, Greater Columbus Arts Council, Ohio Arts Council and National Endowment for the Arts. Performance times are Thursday, Nov. 15 at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 16 at 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 17 at 1 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 18 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $67.50, $57.50, $37.50, and $27.50. The 11 a.m. matinees are general admission and priced at $11. Tickets can be purchased at the Ohio Theatre Ticket Office (39 E. State St.), any Ticketmaster outlet, or online at www.ticketmaster.com.
After a successful bi-lingual ASL presentation of Big River in 2005, CAPA welcomed the opportunity to produce a similar adaptation, and invited Steven Anderson, Artistic Director of The Phoenix Theatre for Children, to lead the production. Anderson had long aspired to direct The Secret Garden and has employed the use of ASL interpretation in his work over the past 25 years. “The lush imagery and rich story of The Secret Garden is an ideal backdrop for the visual poetry and nature of signing. It’s a lovely way to tell the story of Mary Lennox and her garden,” said Anderson.
Anderson cast eight deaf actors, drawing from the Columbus Public School’s Hearing Impaired Program, the Ohio School for the Deaf, and Franklin County Deaf Services. They are joined by 10 hearing actors, including five from the Opera Columbus family.
“We are thrilled to be part of this unique collaboration,” said Opera Columbus Executive Director Press Southworth, III. “The cast is full of extremely talented artists and we are excited that so many Opera Columbus performers are involved.”
Deaf actors will deliver their lines using ASL while shadow actors simultaneously voice the lines for the hearing audience. Hearing actors will both speak and sign their lines. Musical numbers will follow the same course and include “A Bit of Earth,” “Lilly’s Eyes,” “I Heard Someone Crying,” “Race You to the Top of the Morning,” and “How Could I Ever Know” among many others.
The BalletMet costume shop crafted the elaborate and striking costumes designed by Linda Pisano, and ProMusica will provide a live orchestra for each performance. “Building a production of this scope is a massive undertaking, and it is terrific to be able to call upon the incredible array of talented artists in Columbus,” stated CAPA CEO Bill Conner.
Prior to opening in Columbus, CAPA will present Secret Garden at the Shubert Theater in New Haven, CT. Steven Anderson is tracking the show’s progress on his blog at www.myspace.com/houseuponthehill.
The Secret Garden, published in 1911, was Frances Hodgson Burnett’s third novel for children and became her best-known. Hodgson was an avid gardener, and did much of her writing in her English garden, which undoubtedly provided inspiration for the story.
The Broadway musical adaptation premiered in 1991 and earned three Tony Awards for Best Book, Best Scenic Design, and Best Featured Actress for Daisy Eagan as Mary Lennox. She remains the youngest actress to ever win the award. The 1991 original production also featured Mandy Patinkin as Mary Lennox’s reclusive uncle, Archibald Craven.
“The Secret Garden focuses on connections with other people, people you may not normally connect with, and how they help you grow as a person,” stated director Steven Anderson. “To make those connections here in Columbus, within the deaf community and the city as a whole, in such a powerful and beautiful way is an inspiration.”
The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this program with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, education excellence, and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. CAPA also appreciates the support of The Columbus Foundation, assisting donors and others in strengthening our community for the benefit of all of its citizens, and the Greater Columbus Arts Council, supporting the city’s artists and arts organizations since 1973.
Owner/operator of downtown Columbus’ magnificent historic theatres (Ohio Theatre, Palace Theatre, Southern Theatre) and manager of the Riffe Center Theatre Complex (Columbus) and the Shubert Theater (New Haven, CT), CAPA is an award-winning presenter of national and international performing arts and entertainment. For more information, visit www.capa.com.
CALENDAR LISTING
CAPA, PHOENIX THEATRE FOR CHILDREN and OPERA COLUMBUS present THE SECRET GARDEN
November 15-18, Southern Theatre (21 E. Main St.)
Thursday, November 15, 11 am & 7pm
Friday, November 16, 11 am & 8 pm
Saturday, November 17, 1 pm
Sunday, November 18, 2 pm
In an unprecedented collaboration, CAPA, The Phoenix Theatre for Children, and Opera Columbus have joined forces to produce and present an adaptation of the Tony Award-winning play, The Secret Garden. This special production will be performed simultaneously in spoken English and American Sign Language (ASL), and will showcase the skills of both deaf and hearing actors on stage. Based on a novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden is the classic story of an orphan girl who finds life and happiness by tending “a bit of earth.” Single tickets are $67.50, $57.50, $37.50, and $27.50 the Ohio Theatre Ticket Office (39 E. State St.), any Ticketmaster outlet, or online at www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone, please call (614) 431-3600 or (614) 469-0939. The Southern Theatre Ticket Office will open two hours prior to the performance. Students between the ages of 13-19 may purchase $5 High Five tickets while they are available. www.capa.com
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Contact: Rolanda Copley
(614) 719-6624
rcopley@capa.com
***Please credit photos to Candis Momany.***
Pictured in photos:
The girl is Erin Carberry who plays Mary Lennox.
The woman is Sarah Hiance who plays Lily.
The boy is Derek Dickson who plays Dickon.
***Higher resolution photos are available if needed.***