by Sierra Pasquale
What could be a more idyllic setting for Marsha Norman and Lucy Simon’s musical The Secret Garden (based on the 1911 novel of the same name by Frances Hodgson Burnett) than the Pitney Meadows Community Farm? As it happens, this musical, that ran for 709 performances on Broadway, made its staged reading debut at Skidmore College in the summer of 1989, in an offering produced by the Capital Reperatory Theatre. The long and storied history of this musical is carried on this summer by Home Made Theater.
For those unfamiliar with the story, the musical, which takes some liberties from the original material, centers around a young girl, Mary Lennox (Maleri Davis/Claire O’Donnell), who, after her family she loses her family to a cholera outbreak in India, is whisked away to Misselthwaite, her Uncle Archibald Craven’s (played hauntingly and sung beautifully by Michael Lotano) imposing house on the moors that he shares with his bed-ridden son Colin (Jack Holick/Abraham Huestis) and brother Dr. Neville Craven (Travis Brunell). Upon her arrival, Mary is asked to stay in her room and not wander about the house, as her Uncle Archibald, who has been consumed in grief over his own wife, Lily (Heather-Liz Copps, who handles the glorious soprano with ease), won’t like it. Mary, a precocious 10-year-old, grows bored and on the advice of her new chambermaid, Martha (Carolyn Shields), begins to explore the house grounds. Mary soon uncovers a garden that has been hidden away from the world since the death of her Aunt Lily. Mary makes it her mission to uncover and revive the garden. Surrounded by spirits from the past, Mary, peels away the layers of sadness that seem to consume the house and unlock the power and might that a little girl can have when she “wants things to grow”.
What truly makes this production special is the setting. You really can’t beat seeing “The Secret Garden” in a secret garden. A greenhouse on the grounds of Pitney Meadows Community Farm serves as the theatre for this, at times, complicated story. Marsha Norman and Lucy Simon make no easy feat of their score and lyrics. This cast, with a particular shout out to the funny and charming Mary, played by Claire O’Donnell the night I was in attendance, deserves a round of applause for tackling the challenge. Brunell and Lotano shine as the dueling brothers making light work of the stunning Act I duet “Lily’s Eyes” that would be difficult for those not as well-versed in the craft.
Claire O’Donnell as Mary Lennox and Michael Lotano as Archibald Craven in Home Made Theater’s production of “The Secret Garden” directed by Eric Rudy. Photo:Lindsey Fish of Super Source Media. 
Claire O’Donnell as Mary and Patrick Nyhan as Dickon in Home Made Theater’s production of “The Secret Garden” directed by Eric Rudy. Photo:Lindsey Fish of Super Source Media. 
Heather-Liz Copps as Lily and Michael Lotano as Archibald in Home Made Theater’s production of “The Secret Garden” directed by Eric Rudy. Photo: Lindsey Fish of Super Source Media. 
Sharon Greene’s costumes delight with special attention paid to the Edwardian era of 1900s England, while still accounting for the actors’ needs and movement. The set by Eric Rudy, who also serves as Executive and Artistic Director and plays a delightful Major Shelley, overwhelms at times; distracting from the beauty of the natural setting and opulence of the score.
Anyone who delights in the beauty of spring will enjoy their time at this magical production. Pack a sweater and delight in some semi-open air musical theatre. A magical night under the greenhouse lights.
Home Made Theater’s production of The Secret Garden, Book and Lyrics by Marsha Norman, Music by Lucy Simon, Directed by Eric Rudy, Musical Director Richard Cherry, runs from June 7-16, 2024 at Pitney Meadows Community Farm, 223 West Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
CAST: Heather-Liz Copps as Lily, Maleri Davis (Lily Cast) and Claire O’Donnell (Rose Cast) as Mary, Marilyn Detmer as Mrs. Medlock, Travis Brunell as Dr. Neville Craven, Michael Lotano as Archibald Craven, Carolyn Shields as Martha, Doug Gladstone as Ben Weatherstaff, Patrick Michael Nyhan as Dickon, Jack Holick (Lily Cast) and Abraham Huestis (Rose Cast) as Colin Craven, Lesley O’Donnell as Rose Lennox, Noah Unser as Captain Albert Lennox, Georgianna Bull as Alice, Nate Beynon as Lieutenant Wright, Eric Rudy as Major Shelley, Katie Huestis as Mrs. Winthrop/Mrs. Shelley, Olivia Wilkerson as Claire/Nurse, Sarah Paulsen as Betsy, Sonya Sidhu-Izzo as Ayah, Sophie Waling as Jane.
CREATIVE TEAM: Artistic Coordinator: Dawn Oesch, Technical Director: Kevin Miller, Choreographer: Heather D’Arcy, Lighting Designer: Matt Kopans, Sound Designer: Tom Moeller, Costume Designer: Sharon Greene, Properties Designer: Maura Pickett, Assistant Stage Manager: Kadi Driscoll
Tickets can be purchased by calling (518) 587-4427 or online. Individual tickets are $35 for musicals. They accept Master Card, Visa, Discover, American Express, personal local checks and cash. All purchases are subject to a $2.50 processing fee per ticket. A $2 Facilities fee is included in all ticket sales. All ticket purchases are final; no refunds or exchanges. https://homemadetheater.org/