Mary in the Secret Garden (River Muzzie) with the Robin (William Hite). Photo by Sam McRae
By BONNIE J. GORDON
Los Alamos Daily Post
bjgordon@ladailypost.com
“The Secret Garden” blooms for the next week at Los Alamos Little Theatre (LALT). The book on which the play is based is a beloved classic published in 1911 by Frances Hodson Burnet. The book was adapted for the stage by our very own Mimi Adams of Los Alamos, who also directed the play.
Adams has brought a number of children’s classics to the stage, including “A Wrinkle in Time” and “The Never-ending Story”. Adams never ceases to amaze and delight. Her ability to direct giant casts full of children is becoming a Los Alamos legend.
Of course, she doesn’t bring off these feats by herself. A large number of people working behind the scenes are required to bring these whimsical stories to life, in addition to a bunch of talented actors, both adults and children. The child roles are double cast. I saw the cast perform Friday night called Silver Bells, which was uniformly terrific, but I’m sure the second cast called the Cockle Shells also is great.
River Muzzie plays the pivotal role of Mary Lennox. Mary’s parents die of cholera in India when she is 10, but in fact, she’s been orphaned by her socialite parents her entire life. Raised by servants who must obey her whims, she has no rules and no moorings. Her life in India is overturned when she is shipped off to live with her uncle. Mary may be contrary, but what she truly is, is desperately lonely and unloved. Mary’s strong will gets her in trouble, but it’s also her greatest strength and turns out to be her secret superpower. Muzzie is a great Mary. She captures all of Mary’s contrariness, but also her bravery. Mary’s journey to love is beautifully portrayed.
Riley Fensin is very good as Mary’s cousin Colin. In many ways, Colin’s upbringing mirrors Mary’s. Only Mary can get past Colin’s bad temper and imperious ways. Their relationship shows it really takes one to know one. Fensin let’s us see Colin’s vulnerability through his holy terror exterior.
Catelynn Romero plays Dickon, a boy with the talent to charm both animals and humans. Dickon is one of those characters who exist on the cusp of fey and human, both magical and down to earth. For Mary and Colin, it’s Dickon who seems magical and who is able to bring about the magic of their secret garden, but Dickon, even at age 12, is wise enough to know it takes all of them. Romero charms the audience as Dickon.
Kate Obrey plays Dickon’s tender-hearted older sister Mary, who is a servant in the mansion of Mary’s uncle. She is the first one to break through Mary’s shell. Obrey captures a girl on the edge of adulthood, but not quite there yet.
In the adult roles, all the actors do a fine job. In the larger rolls, a shoutout to Terry Beery as Mrs. Medlock, Kelly Dolejsi as the nurse and especially to Sequoyah Adams-Rice as Ben Weatherstaff. Adams-Rice’s Ben is salty but kind in perfect measure and he does a terrific Shropshire accent.
The sets are simple and effective. The props are ingenious, and the costumes are true to the period.
Theater Magic meets Garden Magic in this play meant for the whole family. The dialogue is a little adult for the very young, but they’ll love the play itself. And so will the grownups.
“The Secret Garden” continues through Sept. 25 with matinees at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, Saturday Sept. 24 and Sunday Sept. 25. Evening performances are 6:30 p.m. Thursday Sept. 22 and 7:30 p.m. Friday Sept. 23.
The Performing Arts Center is at 1670 Nectar St. Visit lalt.org for more information.