The secret garden blooms again

The enchantment of Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic children's tale will fill the Ahmanson in spring 2023 in this brand new staging from the musical's original creators is revived for a new generation! With Book and Lyrics from Tony winner Marsha Norman and Music from Grammy winner Lucy Simon and direction from Warren Carlyle, enjoy this exciting and dreamy reimagination of the story of young orphan Mary Lennox and the mysterious and beautiful garden she discovers in her otherwise austere new home.

What is the story?

Ten-year-old Mary Lennox has lived a privileged, yet lonely existence in British Raj-era India with her wealthy, yet neglectful parents. More concerned with their social engagements, they leave her in the care of an elderly Indian ayah, who bows to every whim of the spoiled youngster. However, her life is turned upside down when her mansion is overrun with cholera, killing everybody but her. Shipped to England and the care of a distant relative on the wild Yorkshire moors, she finds that her wealthy uncle wants nothing to do with her, having lost his wife 10 years earlier - looking at her reminds him of his loss.

Struggling to accustom to the no-nonsense attitude of the servants and the cold, wet weather, she explores the estate's huge grounds, and ventures across an old brass key - this unlocks a hidden and overgrown walled garden, whereupon she takes it upon herself to work on, without anybody's knowledge. She meets Dickon, a friendly young local who helps her during the day, however, something is haunting the halls of the mansion at night.

That something is her shut-in cousin Colin, who has all but been abandoned by his absent father for being sickly. Together with Dickon, she befriends Colin, helps him regain his strength and overcome his bitterness. As the garden blooms, so do Mary and Colin in their happiness- but can they convince his father and the strict housekeeper that the garden can bring them together as a family?