Greetings from the Artistic Director/Director's Notes

Welcome to Gallery 7 Theatre!

We are delighted to be celebrating our 30th birthday this year, albeit belatedly. The actual birthday happened in 2021, but there were a couple of things that kept us from celebrating at that time.

In case we haven’t met, Gallery 7 Theatre is a community-based theatre dedicated to presenting high-quality productions that inspire hope, reconciliation and redemption by exploring the spiritual, relational and social aspects of life. Founded in 1991, incorporated as a non-profit society and registered as a charity in 2005, we have produced over 100 productions to date. Over 150 volunteers collaborate with contract artists and our staff to produce a season each year. We are supported by a host of sponsors, donors, grant providers and a passionate and committed audience base. It’s been a delight to impact our community with excellent theatre the encourages emotional, spiritual and intellectual growth and we look forward to doing this for many years to come!

Our production of The Secret Garden is three years in the making. We were two weeks away from opening the show back in 2020 when the world shut down. Sets, costumes and props were put into storage to await the time we could finally present this beautiful story of hope, forgiveness, and renewal. Thankfully, that time has come. Unfortunately, many of our original cast members were not able to join us for this production, but we’ve been blessed to welcome a host of new and talented performers to take up the mantel and bring this powerful story to life.

The Secret Garden is not your usual Broadway musical in that the big show-stopping dance numbers are nearly absent. Rather, you find a character and theme driven story that, while certainly a feast for the eyes, is aimed more directly at your heart, mind and yes, even your soul.

Brimming with some of the most beautiful show music I’ve heard, this musical faithfully tells the classic Frances Hodgson Burnett’s story of Mary’s adventures at Misselthwaite Manor. It also sprinkles in a mature exploration of loss, depression and overcoming trauma. Our characters seek a place of belonging, refuge, and peace. A home, so to speak. The garden Mary endeavours to restore becomes a metaphor for that ‘home’ and one must find the key to unlock its door, whether that key be healing, forgiveness, or acceptance.

And what of those dreamers who ‘haunt’ the halls of Misselthwaite? I see these characters as manifestations of Mary & Archie’s memories as well as their emotional and psychological states. In some ways, the dreamers act as guides, gently leading Mary & Archie towards Lily’s garden, a place of reconciliation. In other ways, the Dreamers reveal to us the source of our lead characters trauma and loss. As Mary & Archie face their wounds, the prospect of healing brings hope.

That this story takes place in the wake of a pandemic is not lost on me. Which is why I think this production is so crucial for our time. I trust that it will be a cathartic theatre experience as we move out of our own pandemic. I also hope that it entertains you, lifts your spirits and inspires you to find the Garden that brings you healing, joy and peace.

Thank you for joining us –see you at the next one.

Curtain Up!

Ken Hildebrandt Executive/Artistic Director/Director

Greetings from the Gallery 7 Theatre Board President

Hello and welcome, G7 patrons! The Board of Directors has been busy collaborating with staff to overhaul the Society's Mission, Vision and Values statement and have recently completed the final draft. The new version can be found on our website so feel free to give it a read. We're on to the next project now, so in the meantime please enjoy The Secret Garden. Gallery 7 Theatre has waited a long time to present this musical!

Matt Forster Board President