Chance Theater Blog
Laura M. Hathaway, Ryan J. Lloyd, Trina Estanislao, Elizabeth Last, Matthew Noah, and Abigail Cox in “The Secret Garden, The Musical” at Chance Theater. Playing November 24 – December 23, 2023 at the Bette Aitken Theater Arts Center on the Cripe Stage. The musical has book and lyrics by Marsha Norman, music by Lucy Simon, directed by Casey Long & KC Wilkerson, music direction by Gabrielle Maldonado, and choreography by Robert Hahn. Photo by Francis Gacad.

Leo Buck’s heart grew 3 sizes after seeing The Secret Garden, The Musical at Chance Theater.

“Chance Theater’s” “The Secret Garden” Is One ‘Secret’ Worth Sharing!”

“Spellbinding”

“Part Gothic Mystery/Part Bittersweet Romance/Part Fairy Tale and ALL delightful”

“guaranteed to warm the hearts of audiences of all ages.”

“mournful to miraculous, one amazing melody frequently flows seamlessly into the next.”

“intricate chorale work—which, in this production, is nothing less than sublime”

“What’s even more astounding is how the accompaniment here consists solely of an upright piano at which sits Ms. Maldonado, who somehow manages to make it all sound far larger and more rhapsodic”

“Miss Last demonstrates an enviable versatility (not to mention likeability) that many actresses of longer years would very much like to lay claim to. Comedic, contrary, downcast or driven, her acting is always spot-on. Add to it, she has a powerful singing talent that belies her young years.”

“As her cousin, the sickly, (but sullen) “Colin Craven” Charlie Firlik too, did a superlative job on opening night. Together with Firlik’s equally vivacious take on “Colin”, there’s a fine, natural, sibling-esque chemistry between the duo, and they play well together and play off one another superbly.”

“Laura M. Hathaway dazzles as “Lily Craven” (or, more accurately, the ghost of her.) Gifted with a mesmerizing coloratura voice, the songs she’s given and her inspiring ability to make them live are an even more pressing reason to run out and get a ticket to this one.”

“‘Come To My Garden’—a key interlude in the show is every note worth waiting for given Ms. Hathaway’s genuinely breathtaking rendition.
Theatrical moments don’t come more stirring than what you’ll see here.”

“[Lilies Eyes]…a bona-fide showstopper!”

“Her ‘brother’ “Dickon” is blithely portrayed by Christopher Diem—an admired veteran of many shows at “The Chance”—and a proven force to be reckoned with when it comes to interpreting a great song.”

“‘When A Thing Is Wick’ is itself an immediate triumph”

“Matthew Noah too, contributes a first-class and funny characterization as “Ben Weatherstaff””

“flawless rustic “Yorkshirean” accents gratis Dialect Coach Glenda Morgan Brown.”

“Remarkable in her own right is Trina Stanislao, who assays several roles but none so impactful as “Mrs. Medlock”—the head housekeeper of Misselthwaite.”

“Shows as downright joyous as this positively put the ‘Happy’ in “Happy Holidays”!”

Read full article | » Buy Tickets | » More Info

Leave a Reply

Blog Home

Blog Posts by Date

Categories