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THE ENCHANTING WORLD OF
THE SECRET GARDEN
SET TO BLOOM AT THEO UBIQUE CABARET THEATER THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
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November 8-December 22, 2024.
The award-winning Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre announced the cast and creative team of the enchanting classic, The Secret Garden, based on the beloved novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett and reimagined by composer Lucy Simon and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, Marsha Norman. Directed by the company’s own Producing Director, Christopher Pazdernik (any), this timeless story of hope, healing, and the transformative power of nature will captivate audiences November 8 through December 22, 2024 at Theo’s intimate cabaret venue located at 721 Howard Street in Evanston.
The Secret Garden tells the story of Mary Lennox, a young orphan sent to live with her reclusive uncle in a grand, mysterious manor. As she uncovers the mysteries and haunting secrets of the house, Mary discovers a hidden, overgrown garden that has been locked away for years. With the help of new friends, she brings the garden back to life, awakening not only the once-forgotten beauty of nature but also the broken spirits of those around her. With unforgettable songs such as "Lily's Eyes," "Come to My Garden," and "Hold On," The Secret Garden offers a timeless story worth discovering – or rediscovering—for audiences of all ages.
"The Secret Garden is a beautiful story of hope and healing which I know will be all the more poignant in our intimate space,” says Pazdernik. “I have loved this score my whole life, with music by Lucy Simon— Carly Simon's sister!—and a libretto by Pulitzer Prize-winner Marsha Norman, I am excited to bring it to our audiences with the first Chicago production in nearly a decade! It's the perfect show for the whole family to experience together over the holiday season."
Joining Pazdernik leading the creative team is Music Director Carolyn Brady (she/they), Associate Director and Choreographer Nich O’Neil (they/them), and Assistant Music Director Nathan Urdangen (he/him). Bringing the garden to life artistically is Scenic Designer Rose Johnson (they/them), Lighting Designer Levi Wilkins (he/him), Costume Designer Lucy Elkin (she/her), Properties Designer Ellen Markus (she/her), and Sound Designer and Director of Production Matthew Chase (he/him). Justin Duggan (he/him) joins the company as Dialect Coach with Maliha Sayed (she/her) as Cultural Consultant.
Onstage, Theo welcomes the performance debuts of Joryhebel Ginorio (she/her) as Mary Lennox, Jeffrey Charles (he/him) as Dr. Neville Craven, Kailey Azure Green (they/them) as Colin Craven, Dakota Hughes (they/them) as Martha Sowerby, Lincoln J. Skoien (any) as Dickon Sowerby, Kathleen Puls
Andrade (she/her) as Mrs. Medlock, Bill Chamberlain (he/him) as Ben Weatherstaff, Brennan Martinez (she/her) as Lily Craven, Nicholas Ian (any) as Captain Albert Lennox, and Rachel Guth (she/her) as Rose Lennox. Returning to Theo is Will Koski (he/him, Assassins) as Lord Archibald Craven, Maliha Sayed (she/her, Sondheim Tribute Revue) as Ayah/understudy Lily and Rose, Kate McQuillan (she/her, Never Better) as a Pit Singer and understudy for Colin and Mary, and both Mizha Lee Overn (she/her, A Little Night Music) and Evan Morales (he/him, Assassins) as Pit Singers and understudies, respectively.
The Technical Staff includes Stage Manager Kendra Luedke (she/her), Assistant Stage Manager and Camille Foss (they/she/any), Scenic Charge Rose Johnson (they/them), Technical Director Emmanuel Jimenez (he/him) and Production Electrician Jackson Mikkelsen (he/him).
The sweeping score will also feature Kim Lawson (she/her) on violin, and Ben Heppner (he/they) on drums.
Performances of The Secret Garden take place Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30pm, and Sundays at 6:00pm November 8-December 22, 2024. There will be no performance on November 28. Single tickets are available and range from $30 to $60. Subscription packages are available featuring 3-pack options for the remaining shows this season. All tickets and subscriptions can be purchased online at www.theo-u.com or via phone at 773-939-4101. Box office hours are Wednesday-Sunday 12 p.m.-5 p.m. The company will discontinue its pre-show dinner offerings, but the cash bar will remain open during all performances, with the addition of a light bites menu from Evanston restaurant partners Peckish Pig, Ward Eight, and Estación.
The Secret Garden is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. Production sponsored, in part, by Jim & Sue Campbell DeLapp.
Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council. This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.
The Secret Garden
November 8-December 22, 2024
Previews: November 8-15, 2024 (Fridays-Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 6:00pm)
Regular Run: November 21 -December 22, 2024 (Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 6:00pm) No performance November 28, 2024.
ABOUT THEO UBIQUE CABARET THEATRE
Theo was founded in 1997 by Artistic Director Fred Anzevino. Productions were first staged at the Heartland Studio Theatre, and from 2004 to May 2018, at No Exit Café, where the company began focusing on musicals and revues, reigniting the cabaret theatre trend in Chicago. The company moved to the Howard Street Theatre, a venue owned and developed for Theo by the City of Evanston, in fall of 2018. Theo has produced more than 60 shows and won 68 Jeff Awards, having received nearly 200 nominations. Learn more at www.theo-u.com
