The Secret, Musical Garden

Westmont students present a musical version of “The Secret Garden” Friday, Jan. 30, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 31, at 6:00 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 1, at 3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church on the corner of Garden and Anapamu downtown. Suggested donations of $12 for adults, $7 for students and $5 for children benefit the choir’s summer performance tour.

Based on the beloved book by Frances Hodgson Burnett, this “Secret Garden” was adapted by Marsha Norman with music by Lucy Simon. Members of the Westmont Orchestra will accompany 22 cast members in this student-run production.

“This play is in a category by itself,” says director Christina Farris, a senior. “It’s ethereal and almost surreal, with dreams and dead characters mingling with reality on stage. Beautiful melodies are woven throughout. It’s a wonderful story of regrowth and rejuvenation.”

This is the third year that students have produced a musical fundraiser. Previous shows were “Godspell” and Sondheim’s “Into the Woods.” Farris and her cast have been working on the play since August.

“It’s been very rewarding to see the work come to life,” she says. With an alternative major in arts criticism, Farris is interested in being involved with musical theater after she graduates in May.

For more information, contact the music department at (805) 565-6040 or music@westmont.edu.