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Arts & Entertainment

"The Secret Garden" Opens at the 99th Street Summer Theatre Festival

When Daisy Egan became the youngest girl to win the Tony Award for best actress in a musical, The Secret Garden with its all-star cast, featuring Rebecca Luker and Mandy Patinkin, was off to become one of the great musicals of the modern theatre. 

The production features a wonderful score and a great story based on the children's book of the same name.  Like other great shows based on books such as Little Women and The Wizard of Oz, this show appeals to audiences of all ages.  Who can resist this story?  The young orphan girl, whose only relative is a grieving uncle, struggles to fit into a new home with only the memories and dreams of her father and mother.  The irresistible story of Mary Lennox is a tale of love, pain and its beautiful resolution, sure to touch everyone in the audience. 

The 99th Street Summer Theatre production features a talented cast of singers/actors led by veteran performer, Billy Vitucci, of Orland Park, as Archibald Craven, the grieving uncle of Mary Lennox played by Mother McAuley sophomore, Alix Solis, of Chicago's Beverly community.

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Billy played the role of Archibald the last time the summer theatre appeared in the production but since then he has become a father and has two teenage daughters. As an actor, he brings a new understanding of the role and a maturity to his character. 

Other leading characters include: Tony Levine, of Berwyn, as Dr. Neville Craven who played the role of the Beast in Beauty and The Beast,  Mary Kooy Pniewski, of Evergreen Park, as Lily Craven, the wife of Archibald who now lives in his dreams. Mary has appeared in many productions in the area and last appeared in our production of Anything Goes. 

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In addition, the roles of Martha and Dickon are played by Erin Haynes, of Evergreen Park, who last appeared as Kate in the 99th Street production of Kiss Me Kate and Mark Bartishell, of Chicago, who last appeared as the Baker in Into The Woods. 

Other featured players include stage veteran Margaret Hayes, of Oak Lawn, as Mrs. Medlock; Kids Kamper, Tommy Schuberth, of Beverly, as Colin Craven; and an incredible group of singers as the Dreamers, including Saint Xavier Music alumnae and current students, Tom McNichols, of Evergreen Park, as Lt. Albert Lennox; Vince Dore, of Burbank, as Lt. Wright; local performers Kim Brines, of Evergreen Park, as Alice; Jennie Davis, of Mokena, as Rose; Mary O'Neil, of Oak Forest, as Major Holmes; Chauntelle Reardon, of Evergreen Park, as Clare; Rick Salazar, of Berwyn, as Lt. Ian Shaw, and the Ayah and Fakir played by Rosie Schapiro, of Oak Lawn, and Andrew Rodriguez, of Whiting, Ind.

Other cast members include Anitra Hutcherson, of Beverly, as Mrs. Winthrop, and Matt Miller, of Evergreen Park, Kevin Christiansen, of Evergreen Park, and Megan Malloy, of Beverly, as the servants. 

The Secret Garden is under the direction of Patricia Haynes, of Evergreen Park, with choreography by Michael Gutrich, of Beverly, and Musical Direction by Stacy Cunningham, of Evergreen Park, and Rose DeSanto, of Evergreen Park, and Conducted by Patrick Mooney, of Oak Lawn.

The show will be performed on July 21-23 at 8 p.m. and July 24 at 3 p.m.

Tickets are available by calling 773-881-6512. Tickets are $16 for adults, $14 for senior citizens and $12 for children under 10.

The show will be performed at the Baer Theatre at Morgan Park Academy, 2150 W. 111th St., Chicago, this year because of the renovation of the parking lot at Mother McAuley High School.

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