WHO: Director/Choreographer Lisa Bono, Vocal Director/Trevor Fanning, Stage Manager/John J. Ahnen

WHAT: Frances Hodgson Burnett’s beloved Victorian classic, THE SECRET GARDEN, blossoms anew in this enchanting musical by Pulitzer Prize-winner Marsha Norman and composer Lucy Simon.
Orphaned in India, 11-year-old Mary Lennox returns to Yorkshire to live with her embittered, reclusive uncle Archibald and his bedridden son, Colin. Inside the imposing, secluded manor on the British heath, Mary finds a reclusive, long-suffering collection of souls.
When she discovers her Aunt Lily’s hidden garden, locked shut and overgrown with vines, stubborn Mary is determined to revive the beauty that it once was. Surrounded by the "Dreamers," spirits from Mary's past who guide her through her new life, Mary begins to peel away the layers of sadness that cover the house and the garden, showing us the power of hope in this compelling tale of forgiveness and renewal.

WHERE: Chestnut Street Playhouse

WHEN: Thursday March 19th 6-8pm & Saturday March 21st 12-3pm
*Possible callbacks on Sunday 1-3pm. TBD

WHY: We need a cast of 20 people. Seeking men, women, teens and two lead children ages 10-12. There are MANY Featured/Ensemble Roles to be cast. The vocal ensemble known as the “Dreamers” sing throughout the show.
All roles are open.

WHAT TO PREPARE/BRING:
Please bring a current headshot and performance resume (if you have one, not required,) along with any conflicts, vacations etc. between the dates of April 16-July 26, 2026 .
Upon arrival, sign in and complete our CSP audition form.
Auditioners will wait in the lobby until called to the stage on a first-come, first-served basis
Be prepared to sing a musical theater song of your choice (1-2 minutes in length is good) or a selection from the score for your vocal audition. Please plan to sing with a backing track. NOTE: We will NOT have an accompanist at the auditions. We will have a speaker provided.
You may be asked to read an excerpt from the script (provided) or sing a short selection from the score (provided.)
If you cannot attend an in-person audition, please send a video of your vocal audition no later than Friday March 20th to lisa@chestnutstreetplayhouse.org. Please use this email for any questions.

PERFORMANCES:
(12 performances total, over 3 weekends)
Shows run: July 9-26, 2026, with shows Thurs, Fri, Sat at 7:30pm and Sun at 2:00pm

LISTEN TO THE MUSIC:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL60BEE74F64A48C5B

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
PLEASE NOTE: All characters require a standard proper British accent unless otherwise specified.
LILY – Female, 28-38 (Range: Soprano, Bb3-D6) Mary’s aunt and Archibald Craven’s wife. Died of a tragic accident within her garden and metaphorically haunts the walls of Misselthwaite Manor. A passionate woman who followed her own instincts, she reaches from beyond the grave to ensure the happiness of those she cares for.
MARY LENNOX – Female, 10 (Range: Young Voice, Ab3-D5) A ten-year-old girl sent to live with her uncle, Archibald, when her parents die from cholera in India. Quite the curious explorer and often finding herself in trouble. Stubborn and always fighting for what she believes in. Must be a strong actress.
MRS. MEDLOCK – Female, 30+ (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible) Archibald’s housekeeper. As cold as the Misselthwaite Manor.
DR. NEVILLE CRAVEN – Male, 35-45 (Range: Baritone, C3-F#4) Archibald’s brother. Trapped by the idea that he is responsible for the caretaking of Colin. Though Lily never loved him in return, he remains in love with her, and is unwilling to move on and leave Misselthwaite.
MARTHA – Female, 18-25 (Range: Mezzo-Soprano Belt, G3-D5) A young and spunky housemaid. Grew up near Yorkshire and has the accent to prove it. Although she is from a lower-class family, her wisdom is often far beyond her age. Accent: Yorkshire accent and dialect.
ARCHIBALD CRAVEN – Male, 35-45 (Range: Baritone, C3-A4) Mary’s uncle and lord of Misselthwaite Manor. He has a hunchback. Haunted by the past and afraid of the future, he locks himself away both physically and mentally. Mary painfully reminds him too much of his wife, Lily, who died ten years ago.
BEN WEATHERSTAFF – Male, Age Flexible (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible, E3-D#4) Head gardener. Secretly entrusted to take care of the garden after Lily’s death. Knows a great deal about the history of the garden and the grounds it sits on. He has worked for the family for many years. He calls himself “an old man.” * Accent: Yorkshire accent and dialect.
DICKON – Male, 16-25 (Range: Tenor, D3-G4) Martha’s younger brother. Looks after the sick plants and animals within the Misselthwaite grounds—including Mary. He is a young man who is between the world of child imagination and adult reasoning. Befriends Mary and convinces her to take care of the Garden. * Accent: Yorkshire accent and dialect.
COLIN CRAVEN – Male, 10 (Range: Young Voice, A3-E5) Archibald’s ten year-old son. Spent his life in bed due to a heart condition. He is very stubborn and throws temper tantrums to get what he wants. He believes his father hates him for causing Lily’s death.
MRS. WINTHROP – Female, Age Flexible (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible) Headmistress of a private school. Prides herself on nurturing girls with tempers. Mary seems to be more than she can handle.
The following characters, referred to collectively as the Dreamers: They act as narrators, and guide the living characters toward healing, and represent themes of memory, grief, and hope, woven together through haunting melodies and dramatic scenes. They are the memories and voices from Misselthwaite Manor’s past, appearing as echoes that help Mary, Colin, and Archibald find renewal.
ROSE LENNOX – Female, 28-38 (Range: Soprano, A3-D6) Mary’s mother. A “dreamer” from the past who doesn’t understand how her sister Lily could truly love Archibald. Very loyal to her husband and refuses to leave India during the cholera outbreak that takes her life.
CAPTAIN ALBERT LENNOX – Male, 30-40 (Range: Tenor, D3-A5) Mary’s father. Tries to send Rose out of India during the cholera outbreak.
ALICE – Female, Age Flexible (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible) Rose’s friend.
LIEUTENANT WRIGHT – Male, Age Flexible (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible) Officer in Mary’s father’s unit.
LIEUTENANT SHAW – Male, Age Flexible (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible) Fellow officer.
MAJOR SHELLEY – Male, Age Flexible (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible) Officer.
MRS. SHELLEY – Female, Age Flexible (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible) Major Shelley’s wife.
MAJOR HOLMES – Male, Age Flexible (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible) Officer.
CLAIRE HOLMES – Female, Age Flexible (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible) Major Holmes’ wife.
FAKIR – Male, Age Flexible (Range: Tenor, C3-B4) Itinerant Hindu ascetic.
AYAH – Female, Age Flexible (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible) Mary’s Indian nanny.