Tickets Now Available for Gulfshore Playhouse Education's THE SECRET GARDEN

In advance of the 2018-19 Broadway revival of "The Secret Garden," Gulfshore Playhouse Education will present the Tony Award-winning musical as part of the Summer 2018 Teen Conservatory program.

Directed by Gulfshore Playhouse Associate Artistic Director and Broadway veteran Jeffrey Binder, performances will take place Thursday, August 2 at 7 p.m. and Friday, Aug. 3 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Based on the 1911 novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, "The Secret Garden" features book and lyrics by Marsha Norman and music by Lucy Simon. The musical shares the story of orphan Mary Lennox, who is sent to live with her reclusive uncle in his chilly Yorkshire manor. Mary soon discovers the key to a lost garden and unlocks the secrets of the household.

"With its haunting music and unforgettable characters, The Secret Garden is a timeless tale about the friends we find, the family we create, and the courage to heal a broken heart," said Binder. "These students have been rehearsing nonstop for weeks and have put their heart and soul into these characters. The show is a great way to culminate this summer's education programs."

Starring aspiring young actors from the region, "The Secret Garden" is part of Gulfshore Playhouse Education's by-audition only intensive musical theatre conservatory. Students have worked closely this summer with Gulfshore Playhouse's professional acting and production staff, including Director of Education and Choreographer Hester Kamin, Costume Designer Jennifer C. Bronsted, Director of Music and keyboardist John Austin Clark, Set Designer Alexander K, Teaching Artist Katharine Quinn, and Sound Designer Kaique De Souza.

Tickets for "The Secret Garden" are $20 and can be reserved by contacting The Norris Center at 239-213-3058.

Gulfshore Playhouse Education provides after school, summer and fall education programming focused on professional performing arts training in acting, musical theatre and playwriting. STAR Academy will offer new production opportunities for students in first through 12th grade this fall. For more information, contact Director of Education Hester Kamin at 239-261-7529, ext. 207 or HKamin@gulfshoreplayhouse.org.

Gulfshore Playhouse is committed to enriching and strengthening the cultural fabric of our region by creating and producing professional theatre productions of a national standard that celebrates the diversity of our audiences, draws people together to discover a new understanding of oneself, and gives back in a spirit of outreach and service.

This focus is also at the core of its newest endeavor - the creation of a cultural landmark facility in downtown Naples. Plans are currently underway for Gulfshore Playhouse's new Theatre and Education Center at Goodlette-Frank Road and First Avenue South on the northern end of The Shoppes at Naples Square that will include two theaters and an education wing to support programming for children, adults and families.

For more information about Gulfshore Playhouse, visit www.gulfshoreplayhouse.org or call 239-261-PLAY (7529).