by Harry Duke *

Despite being adapted from Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic children’s novel, The Secret Garden, the Musical isn’t really a “children’s show” in the modern sense. It opens with the death of a young girl’s parents in a cholera epidemic and then focuses on a father’s inconsolable grief at the death of his wife.

The Little Mermaid it ain’t.

After the death of her parents, young Mary Lennox (Serena Ridout at the performance I attended, alternate for Violet Spears) arrives at Misselthwaite Manor on the English moors where her deep-in-depression uncle Archibald Craven (Ben Sasnett) resides. He wants little to do with her, so she basically becomes the ward of head housekeeper Mrs. Medlock (Tika Moon) and maid Martha (Nicole Stanley).

Martha clues her in on a secret garden, a garden once tended to by Archie’s late wife Lily (Syona Ayyankeril) but now locked up and overgrown. Also locked up is Archie’s ailing son Colin (Joe Schulze, alternate for Nathanael Koross) who’s under the somewhat questionable medical care of Archie’s brother Neville (Zachary Hasbany).

With the help of groundskeeper Ben (Jonathan Spencer) and local boy Dickon (Beckett Hepp), the garden is soon revitalized as is Archibald’s relationship with the children in his home.

All of this takes place on a sumptuous set by Peter Crompton accented by his dazzling projection design with a big assist by April George’s lighting. Costuming by Donnie Frank goes a long way in setting the period and tone of the show.

Director Jane Erwin has a very strong adult cast at work here who all deliver excellent character work and soaring vocals. The work done by Sasnett and Ayyankeril was particularly effective, as were the always reliable Moon and Stanley. Hasbany was appropriately villainous as the sibling with ulterior motives. As the old proverb goes, “Physician, heal thyself.” Spenser was quite personable as groundskeeper Ben.

Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for the alternate younger leads. While credit is due the youngsters for the effort and the willingness to face an audience at their age in a show this size, their often stiff and occasionally unfocused performances were distracting. The naturalistic work done by frequent scene partner Beckett Hepp was quite the opposite. The charming young man can sing, too.

Music Director Brett Strader leads an excellent five-piece band in delivering the Tony-nominated score, but acoustics are an issue in Warren Auditorium (a former lecture hall) and they frequently overpowered the cast.

Shortcomings aside, the show’s dazzling visuals and sweeping vocal work are more than enough to recommend it for mature audiences looking to revisit a favorite childhood story,

Cinnabar Theater presents ‘The Secret Garden, the Musical’ through June 28 at Warren Auditorium in Ives Hall at Sonoma State University. 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. Fri–Sat, 7:30pm; Sun, 2pm. $23–$72 inclusive of parking fee. 707.763.8920. cinnabartheater.org

Photos by Victoria Von Thal