Theater Review : Sure Voices Reveal a Magical ‘Secret’ : Laguna’s Musical Retelling of the Burnett Classic Lets the Story’s Warmth and Romance Emerge

I admit it: My childhood was not graced with “The Secret Garden,” Frances Hodgson Burnett’s beautifully written Edwardian tale of nearly a century ago, about a young orphan whose life is transformed by the mystical forces of nature.

But ever since playwright Marsha Norman and composer Lucy Simon adapted the book for a Broadway musical in 1991, I haven’t been able to escape the story of little Mary Lennox, who is shipped from India to her uncle Archibald’s gloomy mansion in England after losing her parents in a cholera epidemic.

In its wake, movies, TV animations, CD soundtracks and stage productions--including the lavish national touring production of the musical that came to the Orange County Performing Arts Center several years ago and the Fullerton Civic Light Opera’s charmed offering in July--have bloomed like roses or sprouted like weeds.

The latest flowering is the Laguna Playhouse’s stately version, which opened Thursday at the Moulton Theater, ushering in the 75th anniversary of Orange County’s oldest theatrical company. This time the story of Mary gets a relatively spare treatment. Director Joe Lauderdale has mounted a show that eventually brings out the romance and warmth of the material.

The pace should have been stepped up to speed the built-in meandering of a rudderless first act that suffers from too much exposition and too little dramatic conflict. It’s not until midway through the second act that “The Secret Garden” takes off, despite admirable, well-sung performances from the large ensemble.

*

When that moment comes--in the spunky company number “Come Spirit, Come Charm”--our admiration gives way to delight, and we are engaged wholeheartedly by the magical experience that the show keeps telling us about.

“The Secret Garden” tells the story of Mary’s transformation from a sickly, pampered mope to a bold, precocious adolescent shadowed by mysterious voices in the night. It also tells about her grief-stricken, humpbacked uncle, who is haunted by visions of his late wife, the beloved Lily, who died 10 years earlier giving birth to their son, Colin, a bedridden youngster who has been led to believe he hasn’t long to live.

*

Among several outstanding players, Jodi Harris gives the most dynamic and colorful performance as Mary’s chambermaid, Martha. Whenever Harris is on stage, the show comes to life. Similarly, when Kevin Kraft takes center stage as Dickon, Martha’s free-spirited brother, the production fulfills its potential.

The other principals pale by comparison--even silver-throated Mardi Robins as Lily’s ghost; Christopher Carothers, a good actor and fine singer, as Archibald’s villainous physician brother, and Erin Browne and Tim Dey as the ghosts of Mary’s parents, who deliver their songs with glowing voices.

At the heart of “The Secret Garden,” Katie Marilley is personable and entertaining as Mary but lacks the tragic aura that would make her transformation more affecting. The great virtue of her performance is that she avoids treacle--a pitfall for many a Mary.

As Colin, Jordan Duke navigates with considerable aplomb for a 10-year-old amateur. But Jim Whitson gives a pallid portrait of Uncle Archibald. It, too, is a difficult role, considering the sketchy writing and the fact that Archie is a stiff piece of milquetoast. Whitson plays it like the hole in a doughnut, however, offering the listless impression of George Bush trying to gain our sympathy.

*

Ellen Prince’s choreography sparkles with restraint and, where required, vivacious elegance. The costumes and set are tastefully done, the lighting dramatic. The non-acoustic keyboard instrumentation of the small orchestra sounds canned at first, but once the woodwinds, horns and percussion come in, you get over it.

“The Secret Garden” has an uplifting theme for adults and children alike. Still, as a musical for youngsters, it’s too serious to hold their interest. Even adults, the opening-night ovation notwithstanding, may find the message boring.

* “The Secret Garden,” Moulton Theater , 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. Tuesday through Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday, 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 and 7 p.m. Ends Oct. 22. $17 to $30. (714) 497-2787. Running time: 2 hours, 35 minutes.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Mardi Robins: Lily

Katie Marilley: Mary Lennox

Jo Black-Jacob: Mrs. Medlock

Christopher Carothers: Dr. Neville Craven

Jim Whitson: Archibald Craven

Jodi Harris: Martha

Daniel Halkyard: Ben Weatherstaff

Kevin Kraft: Dickon

Jordan Duke: Colin Craven

Mary Vitek: Mrs. Shelley/Betsy

Laura Wells: Mrs. Winthrop/Alice

Brett Chapin: Timothy / Major Shelley

Justin Robertson: Fakir

Jennifer Shelton: Ayah

Erin Browne: Rose Lennox

Tim Dey: Capt. Albert Lennox

Matthew Moul: Lt. Peter Wright

David Reed: Lt. Ian Shaw

Lance Phillips; Major Holmes

Tisha Bellantuoni: Claire Holmes

A Laguna Playhouse production of a musical by Marsha Norman (book and lyrics) and Lucy Simon (music), based on the book by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Directed by Joe Lauderdale. Musical direction: Diane King Vann. Choreography: Ellen Prince. Set design: Bradley Kaye. Costume design: Dwight Richard Odle. Lighting: Paulie Jenkins. Sound: David Edwards. Stage manager: John H. Lowe.