Theatre Calgary is presenting The Secret Garden this spring, and the Broadway musical’s cast includes Canadian Filipino performer Ma-Anne Dionisio.
Based on the novel by playwright Frances Hodgson Burnett, the musical runs from April 17 to May 19, 2018.
The Secret Garden tells the story of a young orphan girl when she is sent to live with her relatives. Dionisio plays the role of Martha, a strict but kind maid to orphan Mary who introduces her to the story.
Dionisio is known for playing the role of Kim in the Toronto production of Miss Saigon in 1993. She played the same role when the play was staged again in the city in 2010.
The Philippine-born Dionisio also played Kim in the American, British, and Australian productions of Miss Saigon.
Prior to Miss Saigon, Dionisio started in a production that celebrated the 125th anniversary of Canada, titled Experience Canada: Spirit of a Nation.
Dionisio and her family moved to Canada in 1989, settling in Winnipeg.
Dionisio’s previous roles include Eponine in the international and U.S. productions of Les Miserables, Maria in West Side Story, and Bertrande in Martin Guerre.
In February 2016, Dionisio was cast in the Broadway musical Closer than Ever that was staged in Gateway Theatre in Richmond, B.C.
The Secret Garden is directed by Theatre Calgary’s artistic director Stafford Arima.
The musical will be Dionisio’s debut with Theatre Calgary.
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