This play is about pain, loss and most of all, hope for redemption. I was lucky enough to catch a touring cast perform this show locally back in the 90's and was brought to tears by the song "Lily's Eyes" (which is a tough thing to do to an angst-filled teen). Though at the moment you won't catch this show on Broadway or a major tour... if you ever get the opportunity you really should see it.

As far as this CD, and my review of it. This is a very good rendition of the show, it is well mixed and if you have not seen the show you should be able to follow the basics of the story fairly easily. Most of the actors have amazing voices and the songs are performed well. I particularly enjoy the parts of Martha and Dicken. I was not as happy with the Collin on this recording as the one I saw live.. though he still did a wonderful job.

The only thing that I dislike about this particular CD is that some of the songs are almost silly when taken out of the context of the show. If you haven't been building the emotions along with the characters then several of the more touching songs come across as slightly corny. Still, I drive around listening to it with my windows down, forcing those next to me at a red light to listen to "A Bit of Earth" no matter how corny it may seem... because it is art, and beautiful art at that. If you like theater, this CD is a must own.

This really is the ultimate recording of this show. Mandy Patinkin said it when it opened - when asked what the music was like, he said that it is like "children's" music - once you hear it, you can't forget it. When I saw the show in 1991, the music really haunted me as I waited anxiously for the cast album.

When the show revived in London in 2001, so much was changed, and one has to wonder what was behind changing so much about it. I recently had the good fortune to acquire home movies of both the complete Broadway show as well as the 2001 West End show. Neither are well filmed, and the 1991 version has a lot of transfer loss (this show SHOULD have been filmed for PBS - it remains one of the greatest losses in Broadway history that it was not), however, I was extremely disappointed in the London version. I tried to like it - I really did, as I love the 1993 (non musical) film version. The changes that were made at the West End were not good ones - the songs are all fragmented and incomplete and the entire show seems somehow stripped down and void of soul. There is a loooong extended dance with the gardners that is completely pointless, and the characters are not well cast. Dickon looks as if he's a 35 year old unemployed eccentric and you find yourself wondering why he has nothing better to do but play with a little girl all day. The Broadway version, in contrast, just seems so much more complete somehow, and the cast seems better suited to their roles and closer to what you picture when you read the book. Mandy Patinkin - what can you say - he's simply one of the very best.

Daisy Eagan brought a sensitivity to the role that is just amazing. That she could cry genuine tears every night that she performed the role of Mary is in and of itself deserving of a Tony.

If you really do love The Secret Garden, I would recommend both albums, but there is a reason that the Broadway version ran for nearly two years, whereas the West End production came and went within a mere few weeks.

It is a shame this did not last longer on Broadway - it was incredible there as well as the road shows. Music is gorgeous and inspirational. The original actress to portray Mary Lennox in 1991 won a Tony for best actress and if not the youngest, definately something to accomplish at her tender age.

Such a wonderful score! The performers are beautifully suited to the material, and having seen the Broadway production, each song vividly evokes the memory of the scene it was in. The duet between Mandy Patinkin, and Rebecca Luker brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it.
This show, and this recording, are not to be missed!

This music is so wonderful! I've sung selections from it in choir settings and love the creativity and the beauty of the music. I will long be listening to this CD!