College sets auditions, hosts musical workshop

November 20, 2019

The University of Virginia’s College at Wise theater and music departments welcome auditions for their spring 2020 musical production of “The Secret Garden” on Nov. 25 at 6 p.m. in the Gilliam Center for the Arts Black Box Theater.

“The Secret Garden,” by playwright Marsha Norman and composer Lucy Simon, is a Broadway musical based upon the 1911 novel of the same name by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
Orphaned in India, 11 year-old Mary Lennox returns to Yorkshire to live with her embittered, reclusive uncle Archibald and his invalid son Colin. The estate's many wonders include a magic garden that beckons the children with haunting melodies and the "Dreamers,” spirits from Mary's past who guide her through her new life, dramatizing the compelling tale of forgiveness and renewal.
“A many splendored children’s fable that neither cloys or loses grip on its unique spell,” says Newsday.

Winner of the 1991 Tony Award for best book of a musical, this Broadway hit’s accolades also include winner of the 1991 Drama Desk Award for outstanding book of a musical, nominee for the 1991 Tony Awards for best musical and best score, and nominee for the 1991 Drama Desk Awards for outstanding music and outstanding lyrics.
Time calls the play “elegant, entrancing . . . The best American musical of the Broadway season.” Christian Science Monitor states “The Secret Garden” “revels in theatrical imagination [and] achieves the irresistible appeal that moves audiences to standing ovations.”
The production will be performed at UVa-Wise and the Appalachian Center for the Arts in Pikeville, Ky.

Prior to the audition day, the theater department will host a musical audition workshop on Nov. 24 from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Black Box Theater. Taught by Broadway veterans Robin Irwin (“Titanic”) and Erick Buckley (“The Addams Family,” “Les Miserables”), students will have the opportunity to enhance their acting skills onstage with professional thespians.
Michael McNulty, the director of this production, emphasizes the educational impact of the event. “This is an incredible opportunity for our students to work with professionals at the highest level of experience and artistic achievement to develop their auditioning skills, skills that can be central to students’ future advancement in the performing arts.”

The theater and music departments encourage all interested students and community members to audition for the family-friendly production as well as participate in the musical audition workshop. Individuals who wish to participate in the audition workshop should prepare 32 bars (measures) from each of two contrasting vocal selections and a one-minute monologue, all memorized. A piano accompanist will be provided for singers who bring sheet music marked for their audition. Auditioners may present these pieces prepared at the workshop, or can sing a song and perform a piece of text provided from the script of the play.

Any questions may be emailed to Michael McNulty at mm7dw@uvawise.edu.