Secret Garden begins 2-week run at RTOP

The Regional Theatre of the Palouse production of the musical “The Secret Garden” begins a two-week run tonight, Thursday, at RTOP’s theater, N. 122 Grand in Pullman. The show will run April 12-14 and 18-22 with all evening performances beginning at 7:30 p.m. April 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20 and 21. Additional matinées will be presented at 2:30 p.m. April 14, 21 and 22. The musical debuted on Broadway at the St. James Theatre in April 1991 and won the 1991 Tony Awards for Best Book of a Musical, Best Featured Actress in a Musical, Daisy Eagan (Mary), and Best Scenic Design. Eagan won the Tony at age 11.

The show is based on the novel written by Frances Hodgson Burnett in 1911. Book and lyrics for the musical are by Marsha Norman and Lucy Simon.

It is the story of 10-year-old Mary Lennox, a young girl who becomes an orphan after her family dies from a cholera outbreak while living in British Occupied India. She leaves India and is sent to Yorkshire, England, to live with relatives. Her life is changed as she develops relationship with her bed-ridden cousin, Colin; a kindly chambermaid, Martha, and her brother, Dickon.

Director John Rich double cast the role of Mary with Pullman resident Charity Cordova and Troy resident Sophia Raasch.

“This is the first time I have worked with them and their work ethics and talent are as good as any professional child actor in New York or Los Angeles,” Rich said. “I’m pleased to be working with them.”

Tickets in advance are $17 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. Groups of 10 or more can receive a 10 percent discount for advance purchases.

Prices at the door are $20 for adults and $14 for children 12 and younger. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling the RTOP Box Office. More information is available on the RTOP website:

http://www.rtoptheatre.org.