A solid vocal cast and talented actors will grace the stage as The Des Moines Playhouse presents “The Secret Garden.”

Among the cast is Marge Bennett-Folger, a former ISU professor and alumna.

“This is the strongest cast vocally that I’ve ever been in in my entire career. It’s exciting to perform,” Bennett-Folger said.

Bennett-Folger, an Eagle Grove native, earned degrees in speech communication and dance from Iowa State in 1979. She wanted to teach at the college level, so she continued her education and earned her masters in directing from the University of Minnesota.

Bennett-Folger taught at Iowa State for six years, from 1993-1999. Although she misses teaching some days, she is happy to be part of the Playhouse family.

“The Secret Garden” will be Bennett-Folger’s acting debut for the Des Moines Playhouse.

“I love to perform, even though I’m known as a director,” Bennett-Folger said. “When you direct, you have so much responsibility. It’s nice to have somebody else help make the decisions.”

Previously, Bennett-Folger choreographed “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Schoolhouse Rock” for the Des Moines Playhouse, in addition to teaching in the education department of the Playhouse.

“The Secret Garden” is a Tony Award-winning musical based on the book by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Bennett-Folger plays Ayah, an East Indian servant to Mary, one of the main characters of the musical.

In the beginning of the musical, Mary is sent to live with her Uncle in England after a cholera outbreak in India.

The cast has been working together since auditioning shortly after Thanksgiving, with music rehearsals starting in December.

Bennett-Folger expects “The Secret Garden” to sell out, just as “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” did this past November.

Ron Ziegler, director of “The Secret Garden,” said Bennett-Folger “really brings reality to her role.” Ziegler has also worked with Bennett-Folger in “Jesus Christ Superstar.”

“Some people call it a hobby, and I am fortunate enough to call it part of what I do for a living,” Bennett-Folger said of her involvement in musicals. The actress plans to direct “The Little Shop of Horrors” this spring to and continue to balance the roles of directing and acting.

“The Secret Garden” runs Feb. 4 through Feb. 20 at the Kate Goldman Children’s Theatre at the Des Moines Playhouse. Performances are Thursdays and Fridays at 7:00 p.m., Saturdays at 1 and 7 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $8 to $11 and are available by phone at 515-277-6291 and at the Playhouse box office.