“The Secret Garden,” a musical based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, is a hauntingly beautiful piece of musical theatre about loss, grief, healing, forgiveness, love, growth, and connection.
Sarah Stevens is playing Lily in the Encore Theatre’s presentation, which opened this week and runs through Dec. 22.
“I read the book as a child and have always found the idea of finding yourself even in the most difficult circumstances fascinating,” says Stevens. “Now looking at this show through a mother’s eyes I find the way it deals with grief and loss and forgiveness absolutely beautiful.”
And while her character appears mostly as a ghost or memory in the show, Stevens gives Lily plenty of flesh and blood and emotion and most of all heart. “She was one of the only people in the world who loved and accepted Archie Craven as he was and after she died, he is haunted by her loss,” she says.
Stevens also loves and accepts not only the Encore Theatre but Dexter as well.
“I just bought a house down the road from the theater this past May and I love it,” she says.
And the Encore Theatre?
“I’ve never worked somewhere where I have felt so trusted to play and experiment and stretch myself,” she says. “I love feeling like the possibilities are endless and that a company is interested in helping you grow as a performer. I have had a ton of fun performing at the Encore.”
Stevens earned her BS in Theater at Skidmore College and lists “Sweeney Todd,” “9 to 5,” and “Assassins” among her favorite Encore Theatre roles.
She also believes “The Secret Garden” is special.
“This show has a fun mix of old favorites and new friends,” she says. “It’s a show all about learning to move on from grief and embrace the beauty around you. It’s the perfect show to watch in the middle of the winter when things seem so dark and cold and when you need a reminder that spring will come again.”
FACT SHEET
What: THE SECRET GARDEN When: November 14th, 2019 through December 22nd 2019. Venue: The Encore Musical Theatre Company, 3126 Broad St, Dexter MI 48130
The Secret Garden officially opens Friday, Nov. 15, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. with a performance followed by an opening night reception. Tickets: Adults – $36, Seniors – $34, Groups of 10 or Children Under 17 – $32
TO PURCHASE TICKETS: Call (734-268-6200) or come into our box office (3126 Broad St, Dexter MI 48130). ONLINE|
