Producing a quality musical for the stage takes an incredible amount of time, focus, energy and dedication. That’s why the Redding City Musical Theater Company (RCMTC) is a real sleeper success story in Redding.
A scene from the RCMTC’s production of “The Secret Garden.”/Photo courtesy Dan Richelieu
The company, under the direction of Diana Christensen, opens its newest show, “The Secret Garden,” at 7:30 p.m. Friday (Oct. 31) at the Cascade Theatre in Redding. The production will continue with shows at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 1); at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7; and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8.
It will be the seventh musical produced by the company since it started in 2005.
It’s not that I thought RCMTC was going to fold anytime soon, it’s just that when you witness what it takes to produce these types of shows, you realize how much these people must really love what they’re doing. Considering the costs (theater rental fees, costumes, sets, time), certainly no one is getting rich at it.
But Christensen sees huge rewards in other ways.
First off, the company provides a forum for talented performers of all ages in the community to collaborate. Musical theater is not exactly something you can do on your own. Shasta and Anderson high schools still do musicals, but if you’re not a student there, what are your options?
Secondly, when Christensen sees the satisfaction her performers experience when they’re actually in front of a live audience, it puts a giant lump in her throat — it’s a moment when she knows the enormous effort was worth it.
Lastly, the community benefits by having a quality production to experience.
Christensen believes “The Secret Garden” could be RCMTC’s best production ever.
“There’s a ton of music, and the music is very difficult,” Christensen said this week. “In casting, we were looking for seasoned vocalists because it’s so challenging. We’ve got an amazing cast, and they’re doing a fabulous job.”
The musical, which is set in the early 1900s, centers on a young girl, Mary, who is forced to move to England from India when her parents die in a cholera outbreak. While living with her uncle and cousin, she discovers a hidden and neglected garden. Overcoming dark forces and fears, Mary and a young gardener bring the garden back to life, which also helps those around them.
The Tony Award-winning play from the early 1990s also features the music of Lucy Simon, Carly Simon’s older sister. It is based on a classic children’s novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
“When I heard the Broadway music, I fell in love with it instantly,” Christensen said. “The musical is so beautiful and so moving. I thought, I have got to do this. It’s such a great story. I fell in love with it, and I hope the audience does, too.”
For ticket information, click here. More information on RCMTC can be found on the company’s Web site.
