May 28, 29, June 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 2000
(Music and Lyrics by Sharon Burgett, book by Jim Crabtree) 
This original British musical stage adaptation follows newly orphaned Mary Lenox (Jenny Estill) as she arrives in England to live with distant uncle, Archibald Craven (Tom Randall). Mary, a self-centered, angry child, becomes a compassionate and encouraging friend to her disabled cousin, Colin (Evan Randall). This version focused on the children’s interactions and Mary’s friendships with the maid Martha (Sarah Estill) and the gardener, Ben (Brian Lindvall). Eric Morgan (Director) writes in his program notes:
“If ever there was a story of rebirth, The Secret Garden is it. What a perfect time and setting for it – springtime outside in the forest. I think the lesson to learn is that the things that hold us back are often our own internal fears and misgivings. . . .What really keeps Mary and Archie from happiness? Outside walls, or inside ones? As they reconcile, both with each other and within themselves, they begin to discover a world around them that they have missed for so many years.”
This production was enriched by the presence the support of Sharon Burgett, a native of Seattle, who wrote the music and lyrics while living in London. She attended many performances and was thrilled to see her play performed in the Seattle area.
Chris Stanley spent hundreds of hours designing and building a wooden robin puppet (animated on stage by Amy Beth Lindvall). The bird (and Chris) spent the night before opening being painted, polished and fine-tuned. The Robin “flew” down the trail 5 minutes prior to curtain on opening day. Our robin had an articulated neck which allowed for friendly interaction with the actors on stage.
In true mountaineer form, the opening of this show was complicated by a near catastrophe. Gala Lindvall and Nancy Estill (the co-producers) were on their way to the theater on the Friday before opening to meet with P.I. reporter, Rebekah Denn, when they received a call informing them that Sarah Estill (Martha) had been hit by a car while riding her bike to school. After several tense hours at Harborview emergency room, Sarah was discharged with many bumps and bruises and a broken tailbone but was able to perform as scheduled.
As if the accident wasn’t enough, the third weekend of this show was blessed with the most rain that has ever fallen in Kitsap County in a 24 hour period. It poured rain from early Saturday morning until Sunday night without stopping. A brave 200 people came to watch each performance that weekend, with half leaving at intermission because they were soaked to the skin. The brave cast made hot water bottles and put them down their costumes when they were off stage in an effort to keep warm. A total of 2966 attended the run.
