The Secret Garden [Hardcover]

Marsha Norman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1993

Based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett Full Length, Musical / 12m, 10f, 1 girl (doubling possible) / Ints., exts. This enchanting classic of children's literature is reimagined in brilliant musical style by composer Lucy Simon and Marsha Norman, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright of 'Night Mother. Orphaned in India, 11 year-old Mary Lennox returns to Yorkshire to live with her embittered, reclusive uncle Archibald and his invalid son Colin. The estate's many wonders include a magic garden which beckons the children with haunting melodies and the "Dreamers", spirits from Mary's past who guide her through her new life, dramatizing The Secret Garden's compelling tale of forgiveness and renewal. Winner of 3 Tony Awards. "Elegant, entrancing...The best American musical of the Broadway season." - Time "A splendid, intelligent musical...It's all you can hope for in children's theatre. But the best surprise is that this show is the most adult new musical of the season." - USA Today

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

A Bit of Earth * Clusters of Crocus / Come to My Garden * The Girl I Mean to Be * Hold On * How Could I Ever Know? * If I Had a Fine White Horse * Lily's Eyes * Race You to the Top of the Morning * Round-Shouldered Man * Where in the World * Wick * Winter's on the Wing. --This text refers to the Sheet music edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 120 pages
• Publisher: Theatre Communications Group; 1st edition (January 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559360488
• ISBN-13: 978-1566190756
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #519,730 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breathtaking, September 2, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Secret Garden (Paperback)

This has been one of my favorite musicals since when I first sw it in 1991. It tells the classic story of the beloved novel by the same name. The music is lovely and the whole thing has a mysterious air to it, something never really done in a Secret Garden movie or musical before. I like it. All the lyrics are wonderful and the songs have a wonderful tune too. It is neat to be able to read all the lyrics and all the spoken words. The original cast recording of this musical has some of the spoken words, but not near all of them. It is a nice way to re-live the experience. I highly reccomend this book. If you like this book, you may also like the original novel "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett and the original cast recording of the musical itself.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Worthy of Purchasing, April 7, 2003

By 

"bwayfan" (West Coast, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Secret Garden: Vocal Selections (Sheet music)

Being a fan of this musical, I decided to purchase the sheet music as well. I have not regretted this decision. The songs included were some of the best ones (though it is so hard to choose the best ones from this musical!). I only wish there could have been room for the whole score!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In Short --You Must Read, January 25, 2005

By 

Kimberly M. "Kimberly" (TX, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Secret Garden (Paperback)

I bought the script and the vocals after listening to the wonderful C.D. This is great for any young struggling actor or actress or anyone who has an interest in the theater.
I only wish that Broadway produced more touching musicals like this.
The script is heartfelt and touching it shows trimuph over loss and the importance of family no wonder it won a Tony for best book!
The script is easy to read for youngsters and the music is perfect for auditions (although you have to buy the sheet music seperately). Little actresses will love reading Mary at auditions. I love this script and find myself reading it and re-reading especially the parts with Lily and Mary.
If you loved the musical or the C.D. than you must buy the script and this is a must for any young actress!