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.


Beautiful lyrics with standout performances   February 20, 2000
 16 out of 18 found this review helpful

Prior to this recording, I am ashanmed to say that I had never heard Mandy Patinkin. His Archie was absolutely fantastic! "Race You to the Top of the Morning" was flawless; his intonation and the music and the lyrics were in perfect sync. Once again, I'm ashamed to admit that I had never heard Rebecca Luker or Daisy Eagan before this either. Both turned in beautiful performances, particularily Luker's Lily in "How Could I Ever Know".

I am partial, however, in both book and musical, to Dickon. John Cameron Mitchell's portrayal is honest and artless while showing off a real talent for conveying emotions through voice alone. (For more but VERY different JCM, see "Hedwig and the Angry Inch")

As a true fan on musical theatre and no of several of the artists featured on this album, I MUST reccomend this. While the orchestration and vocal arrangements sometimes tend to drag on, one song is worth the entire price of the album. "Lily's Eyes" is possibly the greatest song I have heard come out of musical theatre. The first time I listened to the song, my eyes were red and I was quite ready to cry. If there is one song everybody must hear at least once, "Lily's Eyes" would be it.

Fans of Mandy Patinkin, musical theatre, and the Burnett's book will adore this, but the story is engulfing even to the skeptical listener. The performances are absolutely amazing.


heartbreaking musical   October 29, 2002
 15 out of 17 found this review helpful

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.


Unlock the Magic!   May 10, 2000
 11 out of 11 found this review helpful

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."


Beautifully sung and written   April 8, 1999
 7 out of 7 found this review helpful

_The Secret Garden_ has some absolutely enchanting lyrics, and while the music is not as spectacular or memorable, it can still be incredibly moving in combination with those wonderful words.

Admittedly, the music has a definite trend towards soft, high parts, especially with the vocals, where soprano (Mary and Lily) and tenor (Dickon and Archibald) parts reign supreme. So if such music is not your type, you probably won't like _The Secret Garden_ as much as some -- but you might well still like it at least a bit!

However, let it be noted that the casting was excellent, especially for the leading parts of Mary and Archibald. The eleven-year-old Daisy Eagan was the life of the show *and* its songs; what more is there to be said? Mandy Patinkin absolutely excelled in the songs such as "A Bit of Earth" and "Lily's Eyes" -- his voice is perfect for the songs and the songs are perfect for his voice, which is without doubt the loveliest tenor I've ever heard. To say nothing of the rest of the superb cast! Rebecca Luker, for instance, has a wonderful classic soprano that works out perfectly in the part of Lily. In fact, the interplay of vocals in general was fantastic, as best evidenced in such numbers as the aptly named "Quartet," the eerily beautiful "I Heard Someone Crying," where the enchanting parts sung flawlessly by Luker and Patinkin can send chills down my spine, and the haunting baritone/tenor duet of "Lily's Eyes."

Some of the songs do become overly complex, and lyrics are perhaps too often repeated in part. Also, one might be inclined to think that everything on this recording is not entirely necessary, such as some of the tuneless scenes. All in all, though, _The Secret Garden_ has an incredibly wonderful soundtrack.