The Secret Garden

Central Michigan University, Bush Theatre
Nov. 15, 2 p.m.
$7 general admission, $5 students and seniors
(989) 774-3874
www.events.cmich.edu

Based on the children's novel of the same name, The Secret Garden is a Tony Award-winning musical that has as many plot twists as the labyrinthine garden 10-year old Mary Lennox explores. When her parents die from cholera, Mary leaves her home in India to live with her uncle Archibald Craven, whom she has never met, in England.  His giant manor is less than welcoming; the atmosphere saturated in grief, envy and paranoia.  Craven is still mourning the loss of his wife, Lily, who died years ago, while his brother, full of bitterness, lives with Craven, harbors an unrequited love for Craven's late wife.

Mary learns of a garden that once flourished and has been locked since Lily's death.  With the help of a young servant and a bird, Mary finds a hidden key to the garden.  Director Annette Thornton explains the condition it is in, saying, "The plants in the garden are not dead, but rather 'wick,' which means deep inside there is life." Mary resolves to bring it back to life and, in doing so, elicits growth in more than just the garden.

"My approach to the play," Thornton says, "is that Mary, Colin [Mary's cousin] and Archibald are 'wick.' And through many events, relationships and forgiveness, these three characters come to life."

There is also tension between traditional and modern healing methods in the musical, as Mary has experienced a different sort of medicine than Colin, who is sickly and bed-ridden, and follows doctor's orders. "There is a juxtaposition of nature vs. medicine...with the garden, the charm and those who work with the earth," Thornton said.

Upon viewing the musical, Thornton hopes that people "leave inspired and with curiosity and hope for possibilities hidden inside them."