"The Secret Garden"
opens at ACT

GOOD, BAD OR CONFLICTED?: Mariko Lyons, left, and Margo Bourland congratulated Randl Ask on a great performance after "The Secret Garden" opened at Army Community Theatre on Thursday. Ask does a stellar job playing Neville Cravin, the most complicated and enigmatic character in this dark musical treatment of the well-known story. Is Neville sincerely trying to help his wealthy brother, Archibald, and Archibald's sickly son, or is he scheming to get control of the family fortune for himself? Or is he torn between good and evil? Ask thinks Neville is more bad than good, but his portrayal leaves the issue unresolved.

BLACK IS THE COLOR!: Mary Chesnut Hicks and Laurence Paxton celebrated outside the theater after the show received a standing ovation from the opening night audience. Paxton gives a powerful performance as Archibald Craven, a wealthy man tormented by memories of his dead wife, Lily. He gets solid support from Hicks' work as Lily's ghost. The show builds to their final duet, "How Could I Ever Know," a tear-jerker guaranteed to touch the heart of anyone who has ever lost a love.

JIM'S BACK: Jim Hutchison welcomed Stefanie Smart to the theater just before showtime. Hutch was on Maui recently directing "The Tale of the Allergist's Wife" for Maui On Stage and says supporters of community theater on Oahu should check out neighbor island shows.

"THE ENGINEER" RETURNS: Joey Caldarone welcomed Rene Garcia Hartenstein, left, Vanessa Manuel-Mazzullo and Marina Lillios to the pre-show reception. Caldarone and his real estate company are one of the sponsors of "The Secret Garden." He did Po'okela Award-worthy work as "the Engineer" in ACT's "Miss Saigon."

MAN OF THE HOUR: It was Keoki Kerr to the rescue when a cork got stuck in a bottle of wine at the pre-show reception. Po'okela Award-winning actor Jo Pruden enjoyed the party.