Apex Theatre Studio will open its fourth summer theater season with three performances of the Broadway Musical “The Secret Garden.”
To be presented Friday, June 23 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, June 24 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., the production will present the classic children’s novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett in musical form.
“We had such a terrific response from families in the area to our spring production of ‘The Lion King, Jr.,’ so we wanted to offer a show which appeals to children as well as fans of musical theater,” said Ian Mairs, managing director of Apex Theatre Studio.
University of Florida faculty member and Apex Director of Voice Matt Morgan is the production’s musical director.
“Our summer program has become known for featuring young artists with an affinity and passion for singing,” Morgan said. “With its rich and haunting score, ‘The Secret Garden’ will highlight the strengths of this particular group of performers.”
Set in the early years of the 20th century, “The Secret Garden” tells the story of Mary Lennox, a young English girl born and raised in India, who is orphaned by a cholera outbreak when she is 10 years old. Sent to live in England with relatives she has never met, Mary blossoms as she and a young gardener bring new life to a neglected garden and the lives of her sickly cousin and uncle.
“The Secret Garden” company features advanced level musical theater artists from six area high schools as well as featured performers from Florida State University, the University of Florida as well as several out of state colleges. The production is under the direction of David Loudermilk.
Tickets for “The Secret Garden” are $25 and are available at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall and St. Augustine Amphitheatre Box Offices, ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets and by phone at (800) 745-3000.
