"The Secret Garden"

The Simpich Showcase Marionette Theatre will present its original production The Secret Garden for its spring season, April 11 through June 16. Utilizing a full cast of hand-carved marionettes, Frances Hodgson Burnett’s famous novel is staged in this live production by puppeteer David Simpich.



In the story, young and disagreeable Mary Lennox is forced to stay at her Uncle Craven’s Manor on the bleak Yorkshire Moors of northern England after the death of her parents. Here she is drawn to a secluded… Show more garden surrounded by a high stone wall and with no apparent door or gate. When the entrance is miraculously revealed, Mary’s exploration begins and the mysteries of her uncle’s manor are steadily brought to light.

Simpich designed the marionette play in 2002 using Burnett’s novel as his foundation for the action and dialogue. Each marionette - or string puppet - in the cast was created by hand and the staging and props were specially constructed for a touring production. In the development of the script, David incorporated his presence as solo puppeteer into the action of the story by portraying Mary Lennox’s Uncle Craven as the narrator.

After premiering in Colorado Springs in late 02, the play toured nationally for over a year winning an UNIMA USA Citation of Excellence, the highest honor in North American puppetry. The production has recently been revived for presentation in the Simpich Showcase Theatre, a permanent facility in Old Colorado City (a historic district in Colorado Springs) where David’s entire repertoire of original productions is now presented in a 70 seat theatre.

The classic English setting of The Secret Garden was chosen for the 2012 spring season to complement the upcoming Dickens Festival which Simpich Showcase will host for the summer season in honor of Charles Dickens’s 200th birthday.

Event Details

The Simpich Showcase Marionette Theatre Presents The Secret Garden

April 11 through June 16, 2012

Simpich Showcase, 2413 West Colorado Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80904

Performances: 7pm Fridays; 2:30pm Saturdays, Sundays & Wednesdays

(No Shows Saturday, May 26 and Sunday, Sunday, May 27)

In the tradition of European Puppet Theatre, Simpich performances are intended for adult and family audiences.

For over 20 years, Simpich Marionette audiences have been 80% adult. All performances are recommended for adults and school age children. Length and content is not appropriate or intended for preschool age children.

Tickets:

Tickets range from $8 to $12 and are available online at www.simpich.com and at Simpich Showcase Box Office: (719)465-2492.

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