The Secret Garden

For a century now, The Secret Garden has had a magical appeal for children, as well as in the memories of adults who were fond of it growing up. The current musical adaptation at Wheelock Family Theatre makes for a happy revisit to this favorite story.

It should not, though, be confused with the 1991 Broadway version that ran for nearly two years and toured (including Boston). This version, which hews closely to the 1911 children's novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, is the brainchild of WTF stalwarts Susan Kosoff (a founder of WFT), who wrote the book and lyrics, and Jane Staab, who composed the music as she has for many past productions at the theater.

This production, an update of the script the duo created some 14 years ago, has been impressively staged by director Susan Kosoff, with new music arrangements from Jonathan Goldberg, at the Wheelock's home base in the Riverway through February 27.

The story takes place in 1849 during the early years of the reign of Queen Victoria. Sour puss Mary Lenox (Katherine Leigh Doherty), orphaned at age 11 (in the WFT version), is repatriated from India to Yorkshire, England, the home of her uncle whom she's never met. Rebuffed by her parents who didn't have time for her, she is an angry child wearing a perpetual scowl. Waited on by servants (who even dress her), she can do little for herself. WTF veteran Doherty (who originated the role of Jane Banks in the Broadway production of Mary Poppins while a 7th grader) gives a sturdy performance of the little girl who matures a lot in the course of the show.

Archibald Craven, Mary's uncle and Colin's father is the owner of Misselthwaite Manor, which butts up against the foreboding moors. He is a retiring figure, absent in mind and spirit as he mourns the death some 11 years ago of his wife. He is also physically absent, staying away home a good deal. He is portrayed with aristocratic grace by Russell Garrett, a veteran of a number of Broadway musicals and tours best remembered for creating the role of Miss Texas in the Off-Broadway hit Pageant, and most recent locally for his Colonel Pickering in My Fair Lady at Stoneham.

The task of keeping order in the house belongs to Mrs. Medlock, something of a less malevolent version of Mrs. Danvers from Rebecca. Jacqui Parker provides Medlock with a firmness that is appropriately scary. She also, though, makes it apparent that she has a great deal on her hands, particularly with the sick child whose tantrums set everyone scurrying. Given that Parker has as wonderful a voice as anyone in this cast of exceptional singers (her most recent role was Billie Holliday in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill at the Lyric), it's a pity there wasn't an aria for her in this script. A song would have given her character more of an equal footing with the rest of the principals.

Under Mrs. Medlock's thumb is a housemaid, played with zest and great good humor by Jennifer Beth Glick, who won an IRNE last season for her performance as Gertrude in WFT's production of the musical Seussical. Glick's Martha Sowerby does her best to make Mary's stay at Misselthwaite Manor a happier one even though at times it jeopardizes her job whose income her family desperately needs. Her brother Dickon, a fey character who talks to animals and totally has their trust, is charmingly portrayed by experienced actor Andrew Barbato (artistic director of Cellar Door Stage which does original children's musicals). He too is pivotal to Mary's personal growth.

The cranky gardener Ben Weatherstaff, in a strong performance from Neil Gustafson, sees a kindred spirit in Mary. He is impressed when a robin takes to the odd child. The robin, which appears with some frequency, is a beautifully carved and painted wood puppet from props designer Marjorie Lusignan manipulated by a hidden stagehand.

Mary's cousin, the invalid Master Colin Craven, is played with a nicely-honed venom by Ellis Gage. He is, by his own choice, hidden away, just as the secret garden is. Mary scales the garden's wall, and, figuratively speaking, scales his wall too; but not without drama. Theirs is a clash of titanic brattiness through which they emerge far improved in behavior.

Matthew T. Lazure, who has done many of the Gold Dust Orphan shows, designed the magnificent set. Lazure effectively creates the panorama of the bleak manor with its long corridors off which there are many rooms, including the sick room of the willful Colin. Lazure also creatively suggests the outside of the estate property with its formal gardens in which another garden is hidden behind a high stonewall whose gateway is covered with vines.

The first-rate costumer Stacey Stephens has dressed them all with flair. And the talented Goldberg, at the keyboards, doubles as orchestrator and music director, conducting a capable 4-piece ensemble in a lyrical score comprised of much sung dialogue and songs that approach operatic arias in stature.

The Secret Garden continues through February 27, 2011 at the Wheelock Family Theatre, 200 The Riverway, Boston. Performances are Fri. nights at 7:30 with Sat. and Sun.matinees at three. There are also school vacation week matinees at one, Feb. 22-25. More info on-line at [email protected].