Zoe Manarel, a sixth-grader who plays Mary Lennox in ‘The Secret Garden,’ makes her upcoming Amazon film debut as Suzie “Z” Yang in a new ‘American Girl Story’ special that begins streaming on June 9. Photo by Adams VisCom.


MEET ZOE MANAREL
Zoe Manarel plays Mary Lennox  in The Secret Garden, the classic story of the 10-year-old orphan girl doomed to a life of isolation with her uncle in England – until she uncovers the key to her late aunt’s long-lost garden.  It plays through May 28 in the Stage Theatre.

At the Theatre Company: Debut. Broadway: Matilda the Musical (Lavender). Off-Broadway: The Little Princess (Ann). Broadway Lab Productions and Workshops: Amelie The Musical (Young Amelie), Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen (Little Orchid),  Unbound Musical reading (Young Zhong-Mei). T.V.: “Inside Amy Schumer,” “Unforgettable,” “Jimmy Fallon,” “Riding the D with Dr. Seeds.”

• Hometown: Katonah Westchester, N.Y. 
• School: Sixth grade
• When did you know you wanted to be an actor?  I think I always wanted to be an actor and singer – especially in kindergarten. There was a bathroom in the classroom and I would sing whenever I was in there. When I would come out, the teacher and all the kids said they loved my singing. I loved the feeling of making people happy.
• If you could play any role, what would it be? I would love to play Desperaux, the mouse in The Tale of Despereaux. I love his determination, and the fact that he never gives up, and that he would strive for things like marrying a human princess, even though it was unlikely it would happen. (He did get a kiss from her.) Also, he was quirky. He did not really have any friends, but he didn’t care. He stayed true to what he thought was right, and did not let other people sway him. He was a leader, even if it was only to himself.
• Why are you an actor? Because It makes me feel complete inside.
• What do you want to be when you grow up, if not an actor? If i don’t grow up to be an actor, I’d like to be either a food critic or a comedian doctor. I’d like to be a food critic because I love eating. I love all sorts of foods and seeing how different people can cook. I’d like to be a comedian doctor because I love people, and I hate seeing them sick or sad. If I am a doctor, I figure I should learn a lot of amazing jokes to help my patients laugh and feel good as I gave them a shot, or when they feel scared. Laughter is a great medicine.
• What do you hope the audience gets out of this play? I hope they see that no matter how bad things look, there is always a little piece of goodness or hope to grab on to. If you can do that, even though you’re really sad, that little piece of goodness or hope can grow into something much bigger and better. In the end, while you may still be sad, your life will be a little bit better.
• Finish this sentence: “All I want is …”
  ” … for people to see that we are really not that different, and we all want the same thing: To be happy and to get along.”

More Colorado theatre coverage on the DCPA NewsCenter

The Secret Garden: Ticket information
The beloved classic blossoms anew in this enchanting musical full of beautiful melodies. When young Mary uncovers the key to her late aunt’s long-lost garden, she becomes determined to revive the beauty that once flourished.
Book and lyrics by Marsha Norman; music by Lucy Simon;
based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

Through May 28
Stage Theatre
Denver Performing Arts Complex
303-893-4100 or BUY ONLINE

Previous coverage of The Secret Garden:
Denver Post review: A worthy, family-friendly and satisfying theatrical experience
Video: How does our Secret Garden grow?
Photos, video: Your first look at The Secret Garden
Five things we learned at first rehearsal
Five things we learned at Perspectives
2016-17 season: Nine shows, two world premieres, return to classics

Photo by Adams VisCom for the DCPA NewsCenter.

More 2016-17 ‘Meet the Cast’ profiles:
Vandit Bhatt, Disgraced
Steven J. Burge, An Act of God
Liam Craig, The Book of Will
Aubrey Deeker, The Glass Menagerie
Thaddeus Fitzpatrick, Frankenstein
Meridith C. Grundei, Frankenstein
Steven Cole Hughes, An Act of God
Sullivan Jones, Frankenstein
Mark Junek, Frankenstein
Dorien Makhloghi, Disgraced
Charlie Korman, Frankenstein
Jennifer Le Blanc, The Book of Will
Cajardo Lindsey, The Christians
Rodney Lizcano, The Book of Will
Wesley Mann, The Book of Will
Robert Montano, Two Degrees
Amelia Pedlow, The Glass Menagerie
Benjamin Pelteson, Disgraced
Jessica Robblee, Frankenstein
Erik Sandvold, An Act of God
John Skelley, The Glass Menagerie
Kim Staunton, Two Degrees

More Colorado theatre coverage on the DCPA NewsCenter