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Serenbe Playhouse Brings The Secret Garden To Life
by CELIA SHORTT
Friday, June 12, 2015
David-Aaron Roth and Shelby Folks portray Colin Craven and Mary Lennox in Serenbe Playhouse’s production of “The Secret
Garden.” Serenbe Playhouse is bringing the children’s classic, “The Secret Garden” to life in a
unique way, by immersing the audience in an actual garden in the woods of Serenbe.
“The Secret Garden” is a classic children’s novel written by Frances Hodgson Burnett in
1911. Originally published in the United Kingdom, it has since been published in the
United States and has had numerous stage and film adaptations produced.
The story is about Mary Lennox, a young girl whose family dies in India, and she has to
move to Yorkshire, England, to live with her uncle and cousin, Archibald and Colin
Craven neither of whom she has met.
A spoiled child, she doesn’t like anything there. One day, a maid named Martha Sowerby
tells Lennox about the garden Mrs. Craven had while she alive. After she died, Lennox’s
uncle closed the garden, threw away the key and forbid anyone to enter it. Her search for
the garden and the transformation in her life and the other character’s when they find it
encompasses the rest of the story.
The Serenbe Playhouse production opened on May 29 and runs through Aug. 2.
Rachel Teagle adapted the story for this production, and in it carried on the playhouse’s
season tradition of transformation.
“"As a kid, I read Frances Hodgson Burnett's story until the book fell apart in my hands,”
she said in a press release. “I spent a lot of time looking for secret doors under the ivy in
the backyard. Mary's journey out of bitter isolation into belonging really resonates; no
matter how old we are, there's still a lonely lost child inside us somewhere. Above all, this
story offers hope - that people can change, that love can bloom, and that spring will come
again."
In addition to the new adaptation, this production takes place in a new English Garden
within the woods of Serenbe. It was created specifically for this production and will
remain a fixture in the community when the play ends it run.
“There is something truly beautiful about a world where nature can heal and change
one's heart - it is the perfect fit for Serenbe,” Artistic Associate and Director Ryan Oliveti
said in a press release. “I could not be more excited and honored to bring this tale to a
whole new generation, and help them discover the magic of transformation."
“The Secret Garden” is also Oliveti’s debut as a director.
“It was a truly rewarding experience,” he said of the opening performance. “I have
learned from some of the top directors in the Atlanta area - it was great to really apply
what I have learned over the past few years to my own production … My passion for
directing came during my college career, and then getting to direct my senior year sealed
the deal. I was fortunate enough to land an internship in directing out of college and have
launched a career path from there.”
“The performance went great,” he added. “It is an extremely passionate and dedicated
cast of actors and designers.”
The cast features six different actors, who include: Shelby Folks as Mary Lennox, DavidAaron Roth as Colin, Terrence Smith as Dickon, Cherise James as Robin, Shannon
McCarren as Martha and Justin Walker as Ben Weatherstaff.
With Oliveti, the creative team includes Erik Teague as costume designer and Bobby
Johnston as sound designer.
Showtimes for “The Secret Garden” 11 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on
Sundays, through Aug. 2. Tickets are $15 for students, $20 for adults, and $10 for
children under the age of 12. For more information visit, www.serenbeplayhouse.com.
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