LATW Launches Sakata’s Audiodrama Adaptation of ‘The Secret Garden’

An audiodrama adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic children's novel "The Secret Garden" by L.A. Theatre Works will have its broadcast premiere on Sunday, Oct. 6, at 10 p.m. on KPFK, 90.7 FM.

Adapted by actress/playwright Jeanne Sakata, the play comes in two versions — a "listen anywhere version" and a special enhanced version designed for headphones for a truly immersive listening experience.

Mary Lennox is an orphaned 10-year-old who is sent to live with her uncle in his country house on the moors. Her new life is almost unbearable, but when she hears stories of the estate's mysterious, abandoned garden, she's determined to discover its secrets.

"This was truly a labor of love and I had the incredible gift of once again working with my dear friend, Jessica Kubzansky, who grew up loving this novel and knows it inside and out, and directed the piece with such profound artistry and love," said Sakata.

"And immense gratitude to our marvelous cast, each of whom shine in their roles – Alma Marian as Mary, Lina Patel as Ayah Lakshmi, Shannon Cochran as Mrs. Medlock, Cerris Morgan-Moyer as Martha, Ian Ogilvy as Ben Weatherstaff, Alastair James Murden as Dickon, Adhir Kalyan as Archibald Craven, and Jonathan Charles as Colin.

"And to our fabulous design team that brought this story alive with gorgeous music and sound – Ronn Lipkin, Mark Holden, Charles Carroll, Neil Wogensen, Chloe Foster.

"Thanks, too, to dear friends for invaluable help — Lina Patel for also being our cultural consultant for our scenes in India, Sabina Zuñiga Varela (who also loves this novel) for the wonderful idea of bringing Ayah into the work as a real character, Lisa Sanaye Dring for her terrific feedback, and Na-than Singh for his warm support and encouragement.

"Most of all, gratitude to Susan Loewenberg and Anna Lyse Erikson for asking me to adapt this work, and Stacey Martinez for all her incredible help inside and outside the studio. And thanks for your enthusiasm and support, Susan Gurman!

"This is my first play for young people, and as the daughter of a farmer who grew up surrounded by soil and earth and growing things, it was a gift to work on it. If you have kids who love this book, or if you yourself are a kid at heart — we'd love to share this with you!"

Sakata ( www.jeannesakata.com ) is an award-winning actor and playwright whose versatility spans across theater, television, film, voiceover animation, and audiobooks.

Recent TV recurring and guest star roles include ABC/Shondaland's "Station 19," CBS' "Magnum, P.I.," "NCIS Hawai'i," and "NCIS Los Angeles," and Disney Plus' "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series," with her voice talents featured in Marvel's animated series "Hit Monkey," Apple TV's "Stillwater," Disney's "Big Hero 6," and Nickelodeon's "Avatar: The Last Airbender," as well as the audiobooks "How High We Go in the Dark" (2023 Audie Award finalist for science fiction) and "Trust."

Onstage, Sakata recently performed in Anna Deavere Smith's "Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992" at Center Theatre Group's Mark Taper Forum, as well as the world premiere of Moisés Kaufman and Amanda Gronich's "Here There Are Blueberries" at La Jolla Playhouse. Additional stage credits include the Public Theater, Lincoln Center Theater, Kennedy Center, La Jolla Playhouse, Vineyard Theatre, People's Light Theatre, Northlight Theatre, Theatre Works Silicon Valley, Berkeley Rep, ACT San Francisco, ACT Seattle, and Portland Center Stage, to name a few.

Sakata's first play, the celebrated solo work "Hold These Truths," commissioned by Center Theatre Group, has had over two dozen productions across the country and continues to be produced nationally and internationally. Winning rave reviews from The New Yorker, The New York Times, and AP critics, it is the recipient of numerous awards and has received encore or extended runs at Barrington Stage, Arena Stage, and TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. It tells the true story of civil rights hero Gordon Hirabayashi.

Sakata also authored the 2021 L.A. Theatre Works audio play "For Us All" and is frequently commissioned for new works. Both "Hold These Truths" and "For Us All" are available through Audible and other streaming platforms.