'Secret Garden' offers break from the usual holiday fare

The lead is being playing by 10-year-old Lisandra Stebner.
By GUY D'ASTOLFO
VINDICATOR ENTERTAINMENT WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- John Holt, executive director of the Youngstown Playhouse, selected "Secret Garden" as the theater's offering for December as a way of avoiding the usual Christmas fare.
"I purposely wanted to step outside the holiday norm," he said. "I thought it would be refreshing."
The musical, which Holt is directing, features a cast of 21 and a 17-piece orchestra. It's Holt's follow-up to last season's surprise hit "Jekyll and Hyde: the Musical."
But Holt is not the only one returning from "Jekyll"; musical director Mike Moritz is also back.
"'Jekyll' proved that when it comes to play selection, we can expand the envelope," Holt said.
As he did in "Jekyll," Holt plans to take full advantage of the Playhouse's stage facilities and deep fly-system loft. He will use special lighting and other effects to bring ghosts to life in "Secret Garden."
The story
"Secret Garden" is a somewhat dark tale, but is ultimately an uplifting story of hope. Based on the 1909 book by Frances Hodgson, it premiered on Broadway in the early '90s and was made into a movie in 1992. The novel remains a popular piece of American children's literature.
It centers on Mary, an unpleasant and troubled 10-year-old girl, born to wealthy parents in colonial India. When her parents die of cholera, Mary is sent to live with her uncle in a mansion in England. The uncle is an emotional mess, still mourning the death of his wife years ago.
Mary discovers a secret garden that had been tended by her uncle's late wife, but had been left untended. She revives it, and in the process begins to blossom as a person, while also healing her uncle's neglected son.
"The message is, no matter how dead something appears to be, there is still life in it and it can be brought back," said Holt. The aforementioned ghosts in the play are the spirits of cholera victims in India who serve as reminders to Mary.
Music
"It's not your standard musical," said Holt. "It has a happy ending, but it is very eclectic in nature. It also has some of the best music I've hear heard in a musical." None of the songs in the play have ever become exceptionally well-known, with the possible exception of "Lily's Eyes," said Holt.
Since the lead character is a young girl, Holt knew casting would be especially crucial. He said he found the perfect actress in 10-year-old Lisandra Stebner of Canfield. "Lee is the heart and soul of this show." said Holt. "She's a special young lady. She will have the audience eating out of her hands."
Lisandra, Holt noted, has quite a bit of stage experience for her age, but added that this role will be a milestone for her.
Holt also had praise for his other young actor, Dylan White, 12, of Columbiana, who plays the uncle's son.
About 80 people auditioned for the play, which Holt called an exceptionally high number.