July 31, 2013
The Secret Garden Recipes
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Coconut Cakes
Around Town
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Discount on Babysitter Courses
School
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Student Helps Save a Life
Eileen Wallhermfechtel as Lily, Casey Mead as Colin, and Lauren Berkowitz as Mary
Photo courtesy of the Hawthorne Players
Coming to Florissant Civic Center A timeless tale turned Broadway hit, The Secret Garden is coming to the Florissant Civic Center stage. Based on the famous novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden is a beautiful coming of age story filled with wonder and surprise. Mary, an eleven-year-old living in British India, is forced from her home by tragedy. She finds herself in Yorkshire, England, on the estate of her reclusive uncle, Archibald Craven. What ensues is a compelling mixture of love, suspense, and rebirth in which the raw power of nature gives way to miracle and magic. The Secret Garden opened on Broadway in 1991 and won over audiences, claiming three Tony and three Drama Desk Awards. It was written by Pulitzer Prizewinning novelist and playwright Marsha Norman, whose dialogue and lyrics have been featured in musicals such as The Color Purple and The Red Shoes. Norman’s words are complimented by the intricate and beautiful score written by well-known composer Lucy Simon. The music and lyrics combine to create one of the most powerful theatrical experiences
of all time. Director Stephanie Merritt says, “The music is both beautiful and challenging. Vocally, the show demands range and difficult harmonies. In some cases, the ensemble is divided into as many as nine vocal parts. The payoff for all of that hard work is music that connects in a deeply emotional way.” Nate Jackson is the show’s musical director. The message of The Secret Garden is ultimately one of hope. Even in the coldest winters of our lives, we are still “wick”— alive, if dormant —and with a little care from our loved ones, the spirit of life will re-emerge and blossom. The talented local cast includes the following: Mary Lennox is Lauren Berkowitz; Archibald Craven is Tim Callahan; Ben Weatherstaff is John Robertson; Dickon Sowerby is Danny Grumich; Colin Craven is Casey Mead, and Martha Sowerby is Courtney Labelle Jackson. “The Secret Garden is very professional quality at a very affordable price,” says Director Stephanie Merritt. “The music is beautiful, and although our actors and musicians are all volunteers, they are experienced performers and many
have studied music and theater. Many have performed with professional theater and opera companies, and several have received “best performance” awards and nominations for their work. I know See THE SECRET GARDEN page 2
Learn & Play
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Pack Great Lunchboxes
The Way Way Back photo courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures
Movie
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