I read the novel of the Secret Garden a long time ago, and really enjoyed it, so when I heard that they had made a musical of it, I was definitely intrigued. A friend lent me the CD and I was immediately hooked. I haven’t had a chance to see the show on stage yet, but I think it has some of the most beautiful music to be written in the last few years for Broadway.
Random Thoughts on the CDs:
The Original Broadway Cast: Pretty near perfection, as far as I’m concerned. There isn’t a performance here that I don’t love. I have to make special mention of Robert Westenberg as Neville Craven - his voice makes me melt, even if he doesn’t get to sing nearly as much as he should. :-) When Robert combines with Mandy Patinkin (as Archibald Craven) to sing “Lily’s Eyes” I get shivers whenever I listen to it. Mandy is wonderful, as well. His “Race You To the Top of the Morning” and “Where in the World” get me every time. Rebecca Luker as Lily is lovely, and Daisy Eagan is a fantastic Mary Lennox. All of the music has an almost Irish lilt to it, and the songs are gorgeous, and beautifully performed. I definitely recommend this CD to anyone, whether you’re a musicals fan or not!
The Original Australian Cast: My major complaint? It’s only a highlights recording. Other than that, it’s just about perfect. I never thought I could like a recording of this show as much as the OBC, but I knew as soon as I heard the cast list for this recording that it would be just fine. :-) Two of the finest voices in Australian musical theatre (or world musical theatre, for that matter) play the Craven brothers - the phenomenal Anthony Warlow as Archibald and the fantastic Philip Quast as Neville. Philip only gets to sing one song on this recording (“Lily’s Eyes”) but when he combines with Anthony they bring down the house. Gorgeous. Marina Prior is great as Lily, too. I don’t listen to this recording as much, mostly because it’s only the highlights (nine songs is just not enough!), but it is definitely worth adding to your collection!
The Secret Garden - photos, sound clips, the libretto and more!Rebecca Luker Discography - dedicated to Broadway's Lily, Rebecca LukerMandy Patinkin - for the Archibald of the OBC, Mandy PatinkinThe Philip Quast Continuum - a great page for Australia's Neville, Philip QuastMidnight Dreaming - the best Anthony Warlow page I've found
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