Lindsey Wilson University Theatre Department to Present 'The Secret Garden' Nov. 12-15

Classic children's story takes audiences on a musical journey from India to England's Yorkshire Moors.

by Duane Bonifer

COLUMBIA, Ky. (10/27/2026) — Lindsey Wilson University student Sophie Willen '30 said she was introduced to the classic children's story "The Secret Garden" when she was "8 or 9 years old."

Willen's mother read it to her that first time, but by the time she had reached 14 years old, she had read it several times on her own.

"I really love the story," said Willen, a communication major from Lexington, Kentucky.

Now Willen has a chance to bring one of her favorite stories to the stage when the Lindsey Wilson Theatre Department will present the musical adaptation of "The Secret Garden" to the public from Nov. 12-15 in V.P. Henry Auditorium.

It will also be presented several times to area schools during the week of Nov. 9 as part of the program's outreach to the region's schools.

From 1911 to 1991

"The Secret Garden" is based on the 1911 novel of the same name by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The musical adaptation features the music of the late Lucy Simon, sister of pop singer Carly Simon, and lyrics by the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Marsha Norman of Kentucky.

Willen plays the lead role of Mary Lennox, a 10-year-old British girl sent to live in her widowed uncle's dreary mansion on England's Yorkshire Moors after her parents die in a cholera epidemic in India. Mary evolves from a selfish child into one filled with empathy and compassion for others.

"When you first meet Mary you kind of wonder how she's supposed to be the protagonist of the story," said Willen. "The complete character shift she goes through -- from being this whiny brat who gets her way all the time to someone who has to fend for herself -- is really interesting. And then she grows into a more likable person as she becomes more curious and begins to discover things."

The musical adaptation of "The Secret Garden" made its Broadway debut in 1991, winning three of the eight Tony Awards it was nominated for that season.

'Beautiful music'

Graduate assistant Kassidy Phelps '24, who is directing the Lindsey Wilson production, said she was drawn to the show by its "beautiful music" and book.

"It's a very beautiful, redemptive and kind of a resurrection story," said Phelps. "When I first listened to it, I just wept because it is so beautiful. The music's imagery is also beautiful, and it has a haunting kind of element to it, especially in the beginning."

Shortly after she arrives at her Uncle Archibald Craven's estate, Mary meets his son, Colin. A sickly child whose mother died shortly after he was born, Colin is worried that he is constantly near death. Mary slowly builds a relationship with her cousin that gradually blossoms throughout the show.

"It's a really tragic scenario," said Willen. "These are kids who are wading through grief. You don't know how to process that when you are a little kid."

Lindsey Wilson student Aidyn Weingartner '29, who plays Colin in the production, said she was also moved by the novel when she read it as a 12-year-old.

"It was a lovely story," said Weingartner, a business administration major from Shelbyville, Kentucky. "I liked how relatable it was to me at that age."

While developing Colin, Weingartner said she relied on some of her experiences growing up, as well as having an 11-year-old brother back at home.

"I'm used to being around l little kids," she said. "They can definitely be a little bratty, and they have a lot of mood swings. It's definitely hard putting yourself in those shoes."

Phelps said that she likes how the tone of the music in "The Secret Garden" evolves with the show's story. And she thinks audiences will enjoy that as well.

"By the end of the story, it's all in full bloom," said Phelps. "I really think audiences are going to enjoy this story."

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"The Secret Garden," directed by Kassidy Phelps '24

Cast

* Mary Lennox: Sophie Willen '30 of Lexington, Kentucky

* Colin Craven: Aidyn Weingartner '29 of Shelbyville, Kentucky

* Albert: Aidan Puckett '30 of Bonnieville, Kentucky* Rose: Anna Kate Alexander '29 of Glasgow, Kentucky

* Lily Craven: Bella Bersaglia '30 of Somerset, Kentucky

* Archibald Craven: Cade Ramsey '27 of Russell Springs, Kentucky

* Dr. Neville Craven: Brandon Grider '28 of Columbia

* Mrs. Medlock: McKenzie Melton '29 of Lily, Kentucky

* Ben Weatherstaff: LeBron Barroso '29 of Elizabethtown, Kentucky

* Martha: Zoe Boatright, graduate student from Columbia

* Dickon: Luca Baerg '29 of Columbia

* Mrs. Winthrop: Credence Wolfgang '29 of Columbia

* Officer, Servant and Passengers: Mayatu Brown '27 of Campbellsville, Kentucky, and Credence Wolfgang '29

The Lindsey Wilson University Theatre Department will perform the musical "The Secret Garden" at 7 p.m. CT Nov. 12-14 and at 2 p.m. CT Nov. 15 in V.P. Henry Auditorium. For ticket information, go to lindsey.edu/theatre or contact the Lindsey Wilson Theatre Department at theatre@lindsey.edu or 270-384-8044.

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