Street Theatre Company Presents THE SECRET GARDEN, Opening Tonight, 7/13

Street Theatre Company presents the beloved story, The Secret Garden, this summer, featuring nearly 30 area youth, directed by Elaina McKnight Shaver and musical directed by Erica Haines.

A classic novel, The Secret Garden tells the story of Mary Lennox, a 10-year-old spoiled and sickly girl, who, after the death of her parents from cholera, is sent away to live with her uncle, Archibald Craven. There she meets Martha, a maid on the grounds, her brother Dickon, who can talk to animals and is able to grow anything with a little bit of soil and Colin, a boy who has given up the will to live, believing he is doomed to be a hunchback like his father. The Secret Garden is a wonderful book about friendship, determination, and perseverance.

Making the Street Theatre production unique, the original script and songs were written by Artistic Director, Cathy Street. “I had written about seven or eight musical adaptations for children’s shows in the past, but it had been a while since I had the opportunity to write again,” says Street. “It has been an amazing process hearing the children learn and sing this music that has never been performed before, and watching their flexibility as we adapt things along the way.”

Also unique to this production, three of the major roles have been triple cast; Mary, Martha and the robin, a bird that helps Mary find the secret garden. Each actress will have one weekend of performance in their lead role, and then perform in the ensemble for the remaining two weekends. “There was just so much talent,” says Elaina Shaver, Youth Programming Coordinator, “It was impossible to pick just one. The kids are very supportive of each other, and it has been very exciting to see what each actress brings differently to each role.”

At just $6 for all tickets, the show is priced for the entire family to experience together. Performances will be held at Street Theatre, 1933 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, TN 37210. Performances are tonight, July 13 through July 28 with shows Fridays at 7:00pm and Saturdays at 2:00pm and 7:00pm. Tickets are available at www.streettheatrecompany.org.