Many Melrose Drama kids began mentally preparing themselves for the high school musical early in the year: practicing their southern accents, dusting off their bell bottoms and cowboy boots, and listening to the Oklahoma soundtrack on repeat. Much to everyone’s surprise, the show was suddenly changed from this Rodgers and Hammerstein classic to a lesser-known hidden Broadway gem, The Secret Garden. No longer will Southern accents be necessary, but ones of the British dialect instead. The reason for the change stems from issues acquiring the rights for Oklahoma, most likely a problem due to the fact that there is a revival of the show currently running on Broadway.  Nevertheless, the show must go on, and the newly appointed drama director, Ms. Margaret Maguire, is just as excited to be putting on The Secret Garden as the previously planned production. 

The Secret Garden debuted in 1991, with a story that centers around a young girl named Mary who is sent to live with her uncle in an isolated British manor after losing both her parents. She finds herself surrounded by the spirits of her Uncle Archibald’s past and decides she wants to bring back the beauty of her late Aunt Lily’s garden when she discovers it hidden away in the depths of the estate. In 1991, it was nominated for the Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Costume Design and won the Tony Awards for Best Book of a Musical, Best Scenic Design, and Best Performance by a Featured Actress, Daisy Eagan. 

With a lot of new changes this year after the sudden departure of recent director Adam Schuler, an unanticipated switch of the show definitely appeared to be another obstacle for maintaining camaraderie among members of the drama club.  Both Oklahoma and The Secret Garden are choices much different in genre and reputation, compared the most recent high school musical Mamma Mia, which was received very well by both members of the club and the community. At first, some were a bit concerned that this new show would receive lack of interest from students due to its lack of a flashy title. Most are staying positive that it will still prove to be a great experience, “I think that people should keep an open-mind and stay excited for the show even though it isn’t along the lines of what Melrose Drama typically produces,” remarks Melrose Drama vet Julia Foley ‘21. 

The show is to be led by director Maguire and returning music director Shawn Gelzleicher, his Melrose credits include the award winning productions of Les Misérables, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Evita. Audrey Weaver ‘20 and Sarah Tomaszcuk ‘20 will be co-stage managing, Weaver is “really excited to work with one of my closest friends.” Auditions for the musical will be Wednesday January 22nd and Thursday January 23rd, and callbacks will be Friday the 24th after school. Sign-ups are posted outside Ms. Maguire's room, room 223. Anyone who is eager to put in some hard work throughout the spring to tell a beautiful story is welcome to audition.