‘A Beautiful Garden’ at GWC

By Thom deMartino/Orange County Tribune

Sometimes, from the ashes of great tragedy, something beautiful can grow… even blossom.

Based on the novel “The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett, this beloved musical adaptation recently finished its run at the Golden West College Mainstage Theater. Directed by Martie Ramm, “Garden” tells the story of young Mary Lennox (played by either Elizabeth Last or Bellami Soleil Smith), the only member of her family to survive a fatal cholera outbreak in Colonial India in 1906: but while she finds her family and everyone she knew gone forever, she is sent to her distant extended family in England; though that family isn’t necessarily pleased to see her enter the dreary halls of Misselthwaite Manor.

Mary’s uncle and master of the household, Archibald Craven (Jay Harbison) is contending with his own tragedies: born with a hunchback, still mourning the loss of his beautiful beloved wife Lily (Mary Frances Conover) whose spirit seems to remain and haunt him, and his sickly son Colin (played by Annalise Steele and Ellie Liu). Archibald’s brother Dr. Neville Craven (Steve De Forest) and the housekeeper Mrs. Medlock (Carrie Vinikow) run the manor when Archibald goes on his travels, but it certainly doesn’t feel like any kind of home to Mary, with its oppressive air and so little for her to do.

But there are some bright spots in her new abode as well: the kindly staff of Misselthwaite, such as the chambermaid Martha (Gabi Gauthier), her brother Dickon (Joey Nestra-West) and the gardener Ben (Kevin Larson). Mary learns of the garden that young Colin’s mother Lily had once tended, now locked away behind walls and a great door, as Archibald couldn’t bear to look at it after the crushing loss of his wife.

Mary finds herself determined to find the key and unlock the door to the garden, to bring some brightness and joy to this household so starved of it. If only she knew where to begin…

This musical adaptation of Burnett’s novel is a thing of beauty, with gorgeous musical performances and choreography, and stellar work by the entire cast. Mary’s deceased family, Captain Albert Lennox (Liam Cavanaugh) and Rose (Novalee Smedley), continue to have presence through the story, along with some of the other people she had known back in India: clad in white, they drift along the periphery over the course of the tale, as if never quite leaving her thoughts. (A beautiful and dark first number to the show sees her family and their servants in white circling around Mary, each passing a blood-red silk to the next, illustrating the contagion’s path.)

There are some striking musical presentations in the production, with the breathtaking vocal talents of Mary Frances Conover taking center stage: there is also stunning work by Mainstage Theater veteran Harbison, in one of his best performances to date.

The young actors in this production are marvelous. This reviewer was lucky enough to see Elizabeth Last as Mary and Ellie Liu as Colin, both performing wonderfully in their roles, with much enthusiasm and charm. There was excellent work by the extended cast as well, in a truly uplifting and beautiful performance.