'Secret Garden' begins Geneva HS run
The secret's out at Geneva High School.
This weekend students will be performing “The Secret Garden,” a musical adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic children's story.
When it came time to choose the spring production, musical Director Roxanne Curtis decided to go with something a little lighter than last year's show, “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” that would still challenge students.
“‘Sweeney Todd' was a pretty dark musical. Although the music (in ‘Secret Garden') is different and challenging, (‘Secret Garden') is a very family-friendly musical. Little kids would enjoy it,” Curtis said.
Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Geneva High School auditorium, 416 McKinley Ave. Tickets are $7 for students and senior citizens and $10 for adults. Audience members are strongly encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance by calling (630) 463-3838.
According to Curtis, when she first approached students with the idea of performing “The Secret Garden,” more than a few weren't sure how they felt about the production.
“I think (the students) are extremely pleased and happy (with the production),” Curtis said. “At the beginning they were like, ‘What is this?' I kept telling them, ‘Wait until you hear the music, this is really cool.”
On top of the demanding musical numbers, which include a great deal of ensemble singing in addition to solo numbers, students had to create some elaborate sets — even after some rehearsals were canceled because of the blizzard in early February.
“It's been a difficult year. Some of our rehearsals had to be canceled because we had some snow days. We've all dealt with (it) and I think we've all come through,” Curtis said.
“We've just stepped up and hit a home run.”
To build the garden set for the big reveal at the end of the production, one of the most difficult aspects of the play, parents stepped up and volunteered to help decorate the set with fake foliage.
According to Curtis, the impact can be summed up in one word: “Glorious.”
“I felt that we had the students who were capable of doing (‘The Secret Garden'). I wanted to challenge them, and I knew a lot of them would not have heard of this (musical),” Curtis said.
“I took kind of a leap of faith (in choosing this production) and the students have really taken this production to heart.”
• Cast includes: Clara Ahlberg, Malia Anderson, Linnea Berg, Nick Bianchina, Connor Colbert, Brandon Damore, Krystina DiCristofano, Meredith Dillon, Allison Grischow, Becca Grischow, Jordan Graber, Hayley Hansen, Josh Harper, Dana Hayes, Jeff Hersheway, Tommy Hintz, Alex Howe, Noelle Humbert, Kelsey Jaffer, Sabrina Jaffer, Joey McCall, Trevor Morgan, Anne Olson, Pomme Ratirungsee, Raquel Schaper, Clare Stribling and Luke Totman.