Amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday student life, Hempfield High school has a "secret" that certainly should not be kept. The music department has been working night and day to put together its spring musical, "The Secret Garden."

Directed by Alan Mudrick and choreographed by Pat Kautter, along with Kelly Lefever, Nels Martin, Kate Willman and Greg Bierly, the production is sure to blow audiences away.

"The Secret Garden," based on the novel written by Frances Hodgson Burnett with song lyrics written by Marsha Norman and music by Lucy Simon, creates a wonderfully entertaining musical.

The talented Hempfield High School cast spins the tale of a 10-year-old girl, Mary Lennox, who lives a spoiled life in India until her parents, Rose and Albert, fall dead due to an outbreak of cholera. A newly orphaned Mary is sent to live in England with her uncle, Archibald Craven, who grieves the tragic loss of his wife Lily. Lily died during the birth of her son Colin.

While exploring her new home, Mary meets a few people who are laborers around the house, including Martha the chambermaid, Ben the gardener, and Martha's brother Dickon. They become her closest friends, and through them she learns of a garden that used to be her Aunt Lily's; she becomes determined to explore it.

Both Mary and Archibald suffer from haunting dreams concerning their horrible experiences — the loss of Mary's parents and the loss of Archibald's love, Lily. Late one night, Mary hears faint crying somewhere in the house and discovers her bedridden cousin, Colin. Although they are both stuck up and miserable, a friendship grows between them that proves to bring together many other people as well.

The entire shoreline is continually watched and haunted by the ghosts of Lily, Rose and Albert, as well as those who also perished in the cholera outbreak. Mysterious sets, eerie lighting and the moaning whispers of apparitions bring the musical to life. The audience will share in the magic of discovering Lily's garden, feel the heartbreak in Archibald's beautiful solos, experience the budding companionship between Mary and Colin, and relate to the different emotions of each character in the story.

It certainly was not a simple task to put together "The Secret Garden."

"This is the most difficult performance Hempfield has done, because the music is challenging and everything is very complex," explained Alex Weaver, 18, who plays Archibald Craven. "It definitely requires patience and complete unity from the cast."

"You have to practice outside of practice, and take advice well from others," said Rachel Henna, 18, who plays Lily.

"You have to have your heart in it," explained Ado Aranzulla, 13, (an 8th-grader at Centerville Middle School), who portrays Colin Craven. Aranzulla may be the youngest cast member, but his talent is larger than life.

Rich Hill, 16, who plays Albert Len, enjoys "seeing the difference between a person's character and that person in real life."

It is truly amazing to watch as months of preparation fall perfectly into place, down to the last note of music.

Much attention was given to creating the exquisite scenery in which "The Secret Garden" takes place in order to make this production reach for unprecedented levels of achievement for a high school musical.

Many talented artists at Hempfield worked on the backgrounds and props, making the story spring to life. Many of the was amazed as they saw the improvement in the set each day and marveled at being able to perform in such an elaborate setting.

A dialect coach gave pointers to the cast as the lines were delivered with Yorkshire, Irish and mostly English accents. The lines flow smoothly and naturally throughout performance.

An intriguing tale dappled with ghosts, lost loves, odd friendships, and an extraordinary oasis, "The Secret Garden" is the prize that comes from the hard work of students and adults alike.

freestyle@lnpnews.com