The Ridge drama club's musical production this spring will be "The Secret Garden," based on Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic novel of the same name, and due to be presented at Ridge High School March 2-3 at 7 p.m.

"We will be reaching out to local flower and gardening stores in order to transform the stage into an enormous garden," Director Megan Kern said. There will also be flower and plant sales going on in the lobby during intermission, she said. Anyone interested in donating real or fake flowers, plants or foliage, should email MKern@bernardsboe.com.

Auditions were held in early December. Some of the main characters will be Emma Granowitz as Lily; Nick Siccone as Archibald Craven; Angie Cocuzza as Mary; Samantha Cordasco as Colin; Alex Wilke as Dr. Craven; Peter Hughes as Dickon; and Briley Conder as Martha, Kern said.

The student stage manager is Samantha Bosin, she said. Along with a student cast, student musicians will provide the music, Kern said.

Tickets soon will be available online, she said.

The opened on Broadway 20 years ago and starred Mandy Patinkin, Kern said. It picked up three Tony Award's in 1991, including "Best Supporting Actress" Daisy Eagan, who was eleven at the time and the youngest person ever to receive this award. The composer of the music, Lucy Simon, is the sister of singer Carley Simon, she said.

The story is about an orphan named Mary who goes to live with her uncle, a recluse, in rural England.  With the help of servants, and a little magic, Mary transforms everyone's lives as well as the beloved garden of her deceased Aunt Lily.

The musical is appropriate for all ages, Kern said. Along with Kern as director, Lyndsey Schaefer is music director; Rachel Falis is choreographer; Jason Stewart is scenic designer & Technical Director; Jennifer Curran is orchestra director; and Dave Kern is the Performing Arts Center's manager and sound and lighting director.