The Secret Garden (1991 Original Broadway Cast) [CAST RECORDING]

Rebecca Luker, Mandy Patinkin, The Secret Garden (Related Recordings), Lucy Simon, Daisy Eagan, Marsha Norman, Robert Westenberg

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 10, 1991)
• Original Release Date: December 10, 1991
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000002862
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (98 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,606 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Inspired by Frances Hodgson Burnett's novel of the same name, The Secret Garden was set apart from the beginning by the composition of its creative team. Not many Broadway shows can boast a female composer (Lucy Simon), director (Susan H. Schulman), librettist/lyricist (Marsha Norman), and producer/set designer (Heidi Landesman)--not to mention an 11-year old (Daisy Eagan) in the lead. This story of a little girl who helps her grieving uncle and sickly cousin regain a taste for life is a delicate, lovely achievement. Steeped in moody Victoriana, it should enchant those who enjoy a more understated style of musical theater. The great cast includes Mandy Patinkin, Rebecca Luker as his dead wife Lily's ghost, and the perenially underrated Alison Fraser. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent moody musical, June 20, 2001

By	"efrex" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

One of the standout broadway musicals of the last part of the 20th century, The Secret Garden boasts a great source (Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic novel), a wonderful score by Lucy Simon, and a superb cast. From the opening exotic sounds of the cholera outbreak in India which leaves young Mary Lenox orphaned to the (admittedly somewhat schmaltzy) finale of "This, my lovely child, is your garden!" the score swirls and soars in a magnificent musical tapestry. Almost universally consistent accents (an extreme rarity in Broadway theater; kudos to the dialect coach) are instrumental in helping establish the "feel" of the piece, and the dark Yorkshire moor where the majority of the action is set.

The cast features the youngest Tony winner to date, 11-year-old Daisy Eagan, who plays Mary Lennox to perfection. Rebecca Luker's glorious soaring soprano makes Lily's ghost songs heartbreakingly ethereal, and even Mandy Patinkin's usual histrionics don't detract a bit from his powerful rendition of the disfigured, disturbed, and perpetually mourning Archibald. The supporting cast is equally superb: Alison Fraser performs "Hold On" and "Fine White Horse" with warm wit and tenderness, and John Cameron Mitchell (now perhaps better known for Hedwig and the Angry Inch) has an impish tone as Dickon, with the standout solos "Winter's on the Wing" and "Wick."

The recording wisely includes a substantial amount of dialogue to supplement the score, making it possible to understand the show fully, even for those who haven't seen it (or, like me, saw it almost half a lifetime ago). Complete lyrics, and a solid, concise plot synopsis further enhance the package. A solid addition to any musical theater fan's collection.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unlock the Magic!, May 9, 2000

By	Ryan MacRae (DC) - See all my reviews

I am a huge theatre fan. I mean, theatre is my life! That's why i am so glad that my life is hitting a bright beautiful patch! Why, you ask? Simple--The Secret Garden!

I just fell head over heels in love with this magical show. The music is simply stunning! The lyrics range from dazzlingly innocent ("Show me the Key" especially) to exceptionally profound and emotional ("Lily's Eyes").

Rebecca Luker (who was so wonderful in "the Sound of Music") and Daisy Eagan shine! John Cameron Mitchell's Dickon is tons of fun, adding a splendid comic relief naivety to the production. Then, of course, there's Mandy Patinkin who at first listen sounds a bit out of place. Patinkin sounds to reserved in the beginning--a far cry from his "Evita" days. But after a few songs the voice settles into your system and you come to love him along with everyone else.

I often buy cast recordings that stay in my CD player for mere hours before I put them back in their cases and in storage. This, my friends, is not one such album! I will be surprised if I ever take it out! It's wonderful, ranking right up there with "Ragtime." You must discover "The Secret Garden."

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars heartbreaking musical, October 28, 2002

By	Byron Kolln (the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

THE SECRET GARDEN, based on Frances Burnett's classic children's novel, opened on Broadway in musical form in 1991 to critical and audience acclaim. Most of the praise was for the amazing, eclectic score written by Lucy Simon and Marsha Norman.

The show originally starred Daisy Eagan (Mary Lennox), Mandy Patinkin (Archibald Craven), Rebecca Luker (Lily Craven), Robert Westenberg (Dr Craven), Alison Fraser (Martha) and John Cameron Mitchell (Dickon).

The score features a lush combination of haunting love songs, sweeping waltzes, Celtic-inspired chants and rock-type anthems as well as a few Broadway-style tunes.

Standout songs include the heartbreaking "How Could I Ever Know?", the jaunty "A Fine White Horse", and "A Girl in the Valley". Other great songs are "Winter's on the Wing", "The Girl I Mean to Be", "Wick", "Come To My Garden" and "Race You To the Top of the Morning".

It is one of the greatest tragedies that this musical did not run longer on Broadway, but it was later re-conceived and significantly re-written for its West End production at the Aldwych Theatre.

Highly recommended.