The Secret Garden presented by Light Opera Works at Cahn Auditorium

Chicago Tribune - Recommended

"... Aside from the generally excellent singing from the likes of Nicholas Foster (who makes a heartfelt and aptly self-doubting Archibald Craven) and Brianna Borger (who plays the lost Lily), Flaster's fluid production has several strengths. These include an atypically ambitious Light Opera Works setting from Adam L. Veness that emphasizes the darkness of this story of a spunky young orphan (parentless kids being a perennial mainstay of such tales) who gets sent to a cold Yorkshire house where she discovers a locked-away section of the grounds that holds the key to her finding a family."

Chicago Sun Times - Recommended

"... Simon’s quasi-operatic score —an ideal fit for the mission of Evanston’s Light Opera Works —is a lush beauty. And in its holiday season production by the company, featuring elegant direction and choreography by Stacey Flaster (one of several women who have emerged in recent years as major musical theater talents in this city), it is being beautifully sung and acted. The show’s complicated, slowly unfolding back story takes a while to fully blossom. And at Tuesday’s opening performance the large and splendid orchestra (under the direction of Roger L. Bingaman) sometimes made it difficult to hear some of the songs’ dense lyrics. But a better balance was achieved by the second act."

Centerstage - Highly Recommended

"... At the heart of this production is young Sophie Thatcher’s captivating Mary Lennox. This remarkable young actress absolutely owns the stage with her lovely voice and spot-on British dialect. Nicholas Foster is extraordinary in every way as Archibald, William Travis Taylor’s Neville is brilliant and Brianna Borger’s crystal clear soprano makes Lily beautifully touching and the real key to this Secret Garden."

ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended

"...This lovely musical is a compelling and wrenching work that comes alive with Roger L. Bingaman strong orchestra. Powerful singing by Nick Foster, William Travis Taylor, Sophie Thatcher and Brianna Borger make The Secret Garden soar into our hearts. The expert staging by Stacey Flaster works to create just the right tone and atmosphere to create a ghost story. We care for Mary and Colin and we feel Archie’s pain. The lofty operatic feel of Flaster’s production together with the outstanding vocals make Light Opera Work’s The Secret Garden is late Christmas present. Kids eight and up will enjoy this adult friendly sophisticated production. Stacey Flaster once again proves she is a director of note. I hope to see her directing at Drury Lane Oakbrook and Marriott Theatre in the near future."

Chicago Stage and Screen - Somewhat Recommended

"...The saving grace is the music, played as always by a first-rate orchestra under the baton of Music Director Roger L. Bingaman. This is Light Opera Works' calling card after all, and they don't disappoint on a musical level. Individually, there is some terrific work, particularly from the pixyish Maggie Portman as Yorkshire maid Martha, who seems to be a natural adrenaline fix to any scene she is a part of. Brianna Borger has a lovely soprano and her ghostly Lily does share an affecting duet with Nicholas Foster's brooding Archibald Craven in the second act."

Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended

"...this is one of the slickest productions I have seen of this powerful musical that deals with love and caring and I urge you to find a way in your busy time schedule to fit this one in."