Tapping Youthful Talent

Georgeanne Lees, director of the Young Artists Ensemble production of the “The Secret Garden,” opening Friday in Thousand Oaks, is a woman of enduring enthusiasm.

Her 15-year career in the stagecraft known as “family theater” was sparked by her childhood experiences of seeing other kids in exciting roles onstage. All members of her current cast are between 10 and 19.

As for selecting this musical version of the beloved Frances Hodgson Burnett story for her Conejo Valley-based ensemble, she said, “From the moment I first heard the music, I’ve never gotten tired of listening to it. It’s so beautiful and lush.” But, she noted, “we waited until we had the voices to do it, because the score is harmonically very complex.”

The music for the show, which opened on Broadway in 1992, is by Lucy Simon (Carly’s sister), with book and lyrics by Marsha Norman.

Lees and her musical director Paul Fagundes auditioned 84 local youngsters, choosing 21 for the cast.

The result is that “this cast is very focused,” Fagundes said. “They’re the most dedicated cast we’ve ever worked with.

“This is the most challenging score we’ve done in the five years I’ve been with the Ensemble,” said Fagundes, who is also musical director of Padre Serra Parish in Camarillo and a private vocal coach. He was so impressed with the talent of the cast that he turned down other assignments to devote the past 10 weeks to working with it.

“Each role is something important in the show,” he said. “It’s pretty rigorous for them, and I’m proud to be associated with them.”

The final arbiter will be the audience, of course, beginning Friday night. But it may interest those attending to know something about the kids involved.

Despite their youth, several have already begun their professional music careers. Chris Vasquez, 19, who plays Dickon, studies opera at Moorpark College, but is also leading what he rather shyly admits is a double life. He is what used to be called a lounge singer, currently appearing at Macaroni Grill in Westlake.

Rebecca Cornelius (Rose) is a Westlake High freshman, who has been performing at Universal CityWalk in a vocal ensemble called the Cornelius Sisters. The three of them really are sisters.

BE THERE

“The Secret Garden” runs Friday through Dec. 20, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. Conejo Valley Adult School Auditorium, 1025 Old Farm Road, Thousand Oaks. $7 ($6 for Saturday matinees). (805) 381-2747.