The Secret Garden at City Theater
Over the winter and into the spring, I photographed the City Theater’s production of the Secret Garden. From before the auditions, to deconstructing the set after the closing performance, I lurked around, like the Ghost of Eva Gray I stood at the stage manager’s side in the blue light. peeked in from the wings, tried to find the best seat in the house, and climbed into the attic. Most enjoyably, I sat behind Linda, the director and producer, at the command center: front row, center. It was absolute photography heaven: built-in dramatic lighting, actors love a camera, misfits are welcome.
Before one of the final performances, I stood with Karl at the tech booth. Karl designs, builds and deconstructs each set, show after show, a revolving 3D expression of his genius mind. “It’s sand art,” he said. I felt a heaviness in my chest… the way time crawls then races, how a delicious lobster roll disappears with every bite, and how a memory can fade and evolve. I always want a moment more. The family at City Theater embodies how poignant the impermanence can be.
