“If for no other reason, audiences should get tickets to see the work of guest director and choreographer Connor Gallagher, whose credits include a new adaptation of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” and the Broadway hit “Beetlejuice.” The choreography in “Garden” is simultaneously haunting and moving, juxtaposing the stage’s world of the living with the wistful waltzing ghosts of the past.”

“Gallagher is a CCM alumni and his choreography currently can be seen on Broadway in “Beetlejuice.” There are nods to his work from “Beetlejuice” throughout “The Secret Garden” in the loveliest of ways. The pictures that Gallagher creates are nothing short of wonderful. Lily, Mary’s parents, and other spirits remain in the house the entire musical, whether that be to provide comfort and guidance or for flashback purposes. Seeing Lily linger on the steps above Mary and Archibald as they first meet gives the impression that she wants them to be together, and that she is present for that meeting as well. This just reinforces one of the key messages of the show: when your loved ones die, they are never really gone because they will continue to look out for you along your journey through life.

I could gush for an eternity about every single performance, but it simply wouldn’t do it justice. Let’s leave it at this: all theatre has the power to move you and make you think. However, the best kind of theater is the kind that makes you realize you can’t live without the power of art and storytelling — that was “The Secret Garden” for me.”

“I can’t say enough good things about the work of the guest director and choreographer, CCM alum Connor Gallagher. With a very successful career in New York (including choreographing the current Broadway hit Beetljuice) and elsewhere, his direction is both energetic and reserved, flowing and heartfelt. The chorography is dynamic and graceful, and he uses his cast and ensemble to perfection. He has a very special touch and it was a treat to witness.

The ensemble, under Gallagher’s direction, brought to the stage flowers and wind and spirits and fears, all with the use of their voices, their bodies, and parasols. They represented times past, times present, and those spirits perhaps we all have beside us. There wasn’t a false note in any of the vocal performances, plus the costumes were all spectacular, sometimes just in their simplicity. ”

“CCM’s production is directed and choreographed by 2006 CCM grad Connor Gallagher, who is represented on Broadway currently as the choreographer for Beetlejuice. Mr. Gallagher provides active blocking, and he has staged the show so that several of the more poignant moments are especially impactful. The decisions on how to use the actors portraying the ghosts are always difficult ones for this show, and he is mostly successful in meeting this challenge.”