On Stage Off the Wall
The Secret Is Out
By Larry Biddison

As Robert Frost observed, “Nature’s first green is gold.” The sheen of June’s fresh maple leaves and lush lawns are like that—pure gold, and all for me to enjoy for a few short weeks. Early summer comes with treasures and pleasures too plentiful to hoard. That’s why we who live here are happy to welcome visitors, new and returning, to the bounty of our county. It’s also why we celebrate our abundance with friends in our own back yards. Gardens are in, flower boxes bedeck our decks, music is in the air, picnics are planned, and parades are coming!

Even as June is busting out all over, I’m already looking forward to spending some time indoors in galleries and theatres. Like many others, I’m especially eager to attend Hamilton-Gibson’s first big musical of the summer, performed in air-conditioned Steadman Theatre. Although The Secret Garden is a story about ten-year-old children, it’s actually a play with great appeal for any adult who was once a child. I think I qualify.

Elsewhere in this issue you’ll find plenty of information about Wellsboro’s big summer attraction: the Pennsylvania State Laurel Festival. But here are a few other June events I happen to know about.

ANNUAL REGIONAL JURIED ART SHOW
WHAT: Outstanding work by artists within a 150-mile radius of Wellsboro.
WHERE: Gmeiner Art & Cultural Center, 134 Main Street, Wellsboro
WHEN: June 1-29, with opening reception Sunday June 1, from 2-4 p.m. 
IINFORMATION: Gallery open 2-5 p.m. daily. Free admission. 570-724-1917.

LAUREL CONCERT SERIES
WHAT: Music of all kinds! Sacred music in the Methodist Church on Sunday; Brendo Johnson in the Gmeiner on Monday; the Cobblestones Show Choir in the Gmeiner on Tuesday; Spare Parts and the X-Ray Big Band on the Green on Wednesday; the Wellsboro Men’s and Women’s Choruses in the Presbyterian Church on Thursday. See fuller descriptions elsewhere in this issue.
WHERE: Various venues in Wellsboro.
WHEN: Sunday June 15 through Thursday June 19. All @ 7 p.m. except Wednesday @ 6 p.m.
INFORMATION: Wellsboro Chamber of Commerce, 114 Main Street. 570-724-1926 or www.wellsboropa.com.

THE SECRET GARDEN
WHAT: Hamilton-Gibson’s musical production of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic novel about the healing power of love and the miracle of rebirth. With music and lyrics by Marsha Norman, this play will delight the whole family. Set in India and England in 1906, it features a talented cast of children and adults, some new to the stage, some well seasoned (and well known to local audiences). The opening night party is hosted by Mansfield’s Comfort Inn. The play is co-sponsored by William and Shirley Hebe and by Spencer, Gleason, Hebe, Rague, PC.
WHERE: Steadman Theatre in Mansfield University’s Butler Music Center.
WHEN: June 20–22 and 26–28. Thursday, Friday, Saturday performances @ 7:30 p.m.; Sunday @ 2:30 p.m.
IINFORMATION/RESERVATIONS: Admission by FlexPass or $6-$14 at door. Reserve at 570-724-2079 or hamgib@epix.net or www.hamiltongibson.org.    

 Larry Biddison is professor emeritus of literature at Mansfield University. You can contact him at onstageoffthewall@mountainhomemag.com.