Coming to Kensington’s Main Stage in March, 2024!
Synopsis:
Orphaned in India, 11-year-old Mary Lennox returns to Yorkshire to live with her embittered, reclusive uncle Archibald and his disabled son Colin. The estate’s many wonders include a magic garden which beckons the children with haunting melodies and the “Dreamers,” spirits from Mary’s past who guide her through her new life, dramatizing The Secret Garden’s compelling tale of forgiveness and renewal. The Secret Garden will be directed by Maggie Scott and accompanied by a live orchestra under the direction of Michelle Willis.
Information:
- Auditions: January 25, 7-10p.
- Call Backs: January 27, 8a-12p
- Mary and Collin Ages: Children who look 10-12
- Ages for the Rest of the Cast (not Mary/Collin): 16+
- What to Prepare for First Audition: 16 bars in the style of the musical, fill out the Audition Form.
- Rehearsals: The first rehearsal will be on January 29. Generally rehearsals will be M-Th, 7-10p and Saturdays, 8a-5p. The amount of rehearsals you will have will depend on the role you are cast in. There will be no rehearsal on February 14, 19, and 26.
- Performances: March 8, 9, 11, 15, 16, and 18 at 7:30p
Character Descriptions:
MARY LENNOX – Female, 10 (Range: Young Voice, Ab3-D5) A ten year-old girl sent to live with her uncle, Archibald, when her parents die from cholera in India. Quite the curious explorer, and often finding herself in trouble. Stubborn and always fighting for what she believes in.
ARCHIBALD CRAVEN – Male, 35-45 (Range: Baritone, C3-A4) Mary’s uncle and lord of Misselthwaite Manor. He has a hunch-back. Haunted by the past and afraid of the future, he locks himself away both physically and mentally. Mary painfully reminds him too much of his wife, Lily, who died ten years ago.
LILY – Female, 28-38 (Range: Soprano, Bb3-D6) Mary’s aunt and Archibald Craven’s wife. Died of a tragic accident within her garden and metaphorically haunts the walls of Misselthwaite Manor.
DR. NEVILLE CRAVEN – Male, 35-45 (Range: Baritone, C3-F#4) Archibald’s brother. Trapped by the idea that he is responsible for the caretaking of Colin. Even though he was never loved back by Lily, he is still in love with her. This adds to his unwillingness to move on and leave Misselthwaite.
MARTHA – Female, 18-30 (Range: Mezzo-Soprano Belt, G3-D5) A faithful housemaid. Grew up near Yorkshire and has the accent to prove it. Although she is from a lower class family, her wisdom is often far beyond her age.
MRS. MEDLOCK – Female, Age Flexible (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible) Archibald’s housekeeper. As cold as the Misselthwaite Manor.
BEN WEATHERSTAFF – Male, Age Flexible (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible, E3-D#4) Head gardener. Secretly entrusted to take care of the garden after Lily’s death. Knows a great deal about the history of the garden and the grounds it sits on. He has worked for the family for many years. He calls himself “an old man.”
DICKON – Male, 16-25 (Range: Tenor, D3-G4) Martha’s younger brother. Looks after the sick plants and animals within the Misselthwaite grounds—including Mary. He is a young man who is between the world of child imagination and adult reasoning. Befriends Mary and convinces her to take care of the Garden.
COLIN CRAVEN – Male, 10 (Range: Young Voice, A3-E5) Archibald’s ten year-old son. Spent his life in bed due to a heart condition. He is very stubborn and throws temper tantrums to get what he wants. He believes his father hates him for causing Lily’s death.
MRS. WINTHROP – Female, Age Flexible (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible) Headmistress of a private school. Prides herself on nurturing girls with tempers. Mary seems to be more than she can handle.
ROSE LENNOX – Female, 28-38 (Range: Soprano, A3-D6) Mary’s mother. A “dreamer” from the past who doesn’t understand how her sister Lily could truly love Archibald. Very loyal to her husband and refuses to leave India during the cholera outbreak that takes her life.
CAPTAIN ALBERT LENNOX – Male, 30-40 (Range: Tenor, D3-A5) Mary’s father. Tries to send Rose out of India during the cholera outbreak.
ALICE – Female, Age Flexible (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible) Rose’s friend.
LIEUTENANT WRIGHT – Male, Age Flexible (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible) Officer in Mary’s father’s unit.
LIEUTENANT SHAW – Male, Age Flexible (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible) Fellow officer.
MAJOR SHELLEY – Male, Age Flexible (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible) Officer.
MRS. SHELLEY – Female, Age Flexible (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible) Major Shelley’s wife.
MAJOR HOLMES – Male, Age Flexible (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible) Officer.
CLAIRE HOLMES – Female, Age Flexible (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible) Major Holmes’ wife.
FAKIR – Male, Age Flexible (Range: Tenor, C3-B4) Itinerant Hindu ascetic.
AYAH – Female, Age Flexible (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible) Mary’s Indian nanny.
