Heidelberg finds inner child in upcoming musical

TIFFIN - As Heidelberg students prepare for the approaching fall musical production, the walls of Gundlach Theatre are continuously filled with song and laughter. This year's fall show is The Secret Garden, and should promise to be a rewarding experience to all who attend.

Under the direction of Richard Groetzinger, the musical direction of Dr. Michael Anders, and the rehearsal accompaniment of Cathie Sankey, rehearsals for The Secret Garden are well under way.

The play, based on the children's book by Frances Hodgson Burnett and written by Marsha Norman and Lucy Simon, tells the story of Mary Lennox, who is sent from Colonial India to live with her uncle in England after her parents die in a cholera epidemic. Her uncle, Archibald Craven, is bitter after losing his beloved wife, and is having trouble dealing with his ill son, Colin. Mary shakes up the household and brings her late aunt's deserted garden back to life, all the while helping to restore Colin's health, and her uncle's spirits.

Playing the roles of Mary and Colin are 13-year-old novice artists, Lucy Anders and Brady Miller. Also making a Heidelberg stage debut is Cailee Stein, 13, a student from the city of Tiffin, who plays a singing child.

The rest of the cast is comprised of Heidelberg students, including Seth Carey as Archibald Craven, Kim States at Lily Craven, Bradley Jayne Jr. as Dr. Neville Craven, Nikki Locker as Mrs. Medlock, Stephanie Gross as Mrs. Winthrop, Emily Bastin as Martha, David Turner as Dickon, David Glover as Ben Weatherstaff, Casie Scott as Rose Lennox, Brian Biller as Capt. Albert Lennox, Honoree Pouly as Claire Holmes, Seth Innis as Major Holmes, Kerry Gretsinger as Betsy Shelley, Dana Brockbrader as Major William Shelley, Jessica Rigsby as Alice, Lee Moomaw as Lt. Ian Shaw, Hayley Pletcher as Jane/Nurse, Nathan Garner as Lt. Peter Wright, Doug Sturgeon as Timothy/Photographer, Jena Moncheck as Ayah, Jayme Orians as Fakir, and Shannon Tiernan as a singing child.

Show times for The Secret Garden are Oct. 12-14, at 8 p.m. There will be a 2 p.m. matinee show on Oct. 15. Tickets are $5 and $4 for senior citizens. Heidelberg students are admitted free with their college I.D. For more information, contact the Heidelberg box office at (419) 448-2304.