‘Secret Garden’ tells children’s tale in song

The gardeners among us will attest, often passionately, to the value of gardening in terms of physical exercise, meditative repose and healing for the human spirit.

These are not recent observations. In 1911, for example, writer Frances Hodgson Burnett penned a classic ode to gardening as a vehicle for healing the spiritually and physically wounded. “The Secret Garden” tells of the parallel restorations of an angry little girl, a sickly little boy, an embittered man and a long-neglected tract of land.

A compelling plot, certainly, but perhaps a lot to handle for a university production, even a joint one between University Theatre and University Opera.

“It will be quite a challenge to bring such a beloved children’s classic to life on the stage,” says William Farlow, associate professor of music, and director of the University Opera and “The Secret Garden.”

He says these very challenges add a critical dimension to UW–Madison students’ education, one that directly manifests the mission of the University Opera and University Theatre.

“We give our students as many practical opportunities as we can to apply what they learn in class, whether their talents are performing, design or technical arts,” Farlow says.

Nor are the benefits limited to theater and music students. “Although working on our productions are curriculum requirements for many of our degree programs, we also afford all university students the chance to participate,” Farlow says.

This production also draws on the community by featuring cast members younger than 13 for the pivotal roles of Mary Lennox and Colin Craven.

“The Secret Garden” will open on Friday, Feb. 27, and run Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 28 and 29; and Thursday-Sunday, March 4-7, in the Wisconsin Union Theater. The March 7 performance is at 3 p.m.; all others are at 7:30 p.m. Tickets, available at the Vilas Hall Box Office, are $18, $14 UW–Madison students, $12 younger than 12. Information: 262-1500.