In Yorktown High School's production of "The Secret Garden," dreams mix with reality, the natural with the supernatural, and memory with the future. The play revolves around the journey of a girl, young Mary Lennox (Jenna Allen) as she tries to find a place in her new home, and discovers many secrets of the past by way of a hidden garden.
The story begins with a girl sitting on a swing, just higher than the audience, singing. This, like many other scenes in the story, is only a dream, or a flashback. The story switches then to the silhouettes of people at a party, in India, one by one falling dead of cholera. The only person left is little Mary Lennox, who has fallen asleep. She wakes up to find her mother and father among the dead. She is immediately sent to her uncle's house, far away in England. The rest of the play deals with the touching effect she has on the rest of the inhabitants of the house, most notably her young cousin Colin (Hugh Trimble), who was thought to be crippled, and her uncle Archibald (Stephen Burgess) trying to recover from his wife's death.
Her dead aunt and parents, appearing in dreams and flashbacks, are a constant presence throughout the play. Also guiding the story are the brightly and colorfully dressed "Indian Dreamers," whose dancing often guides or sustains the actions of the characters. They are the keepers of the past, and come about to help Mary Lennox and the others deal with the present, such as when they help her remember a chant to magically help Colin. These Indian Dreamers also provide an enchanting, surreal quality to the story.
There were many other notable characters and actors present throughout the show. Poor Colin (Hugh Trimble), confined to his bed, is not introduced until almost the second act, but still leaves a lasting impression on the audience. And he, along with Mary Lennox (Jenna Allen), and most outstandingly Singing Lily (Kalen Reynolds), dazzle the audience with their wonderful singing voices.
As a break from the drama, there are also many comedic characters introduced. The head gardener, Ben Weatherstaff (Edward Ridgely), adds hilarity with every line he says and every motion he makes. Also, the visiting headmistress, Mrs. Winthrop (Grace Folsom), lightens the mood with her over-the-top arrogance. Indeed, though she only makes an appearance in one scene, Mrs. Winthrop leaves a lasting impression.
Another amazing part of the play is the magnificent set. Almost everything is on wheels: a four poster bed or staircase might suddenly appear and slide across the stage. But at no time is the set more moving than at the end, when the season turns to springtime. To the amazement of the audience, banners fall from the ceiling, covered with flowers and roses. With the new atmosphere comes a new sense of happiness, and indeed the audience members leave with a warm feeling in their hearts.
Thus Yorktown High School's actors successfully and imaginatively demonstrate that one small person can make a difference, in people's lives and in their hearts.
<i>(The Critics and Awards Program — Cappies — provides reviews and awards for high school theater productions.)</i>