Ahmanson's Broadway-Aimed THE SECRET GARDEN - Reviews & News Thread

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 1/10/23 at 2:05pm

 

The complete cast of 'The Secret Garden' has just been announced! Helmed by Tony Award winner Warren Carlyle, this new and revisited production will make its debut at the Ahmanson Theatre beginning Feb 19. Secure your seat and get tickets at http://AhmansonTheatre.org

Updated On: 2/27/23 at 02:05 PM

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/10/23 at 3:32pm

Here for Julia Lester's world domination. That's terrific casting.

[BETTY22]

Posted: 1/11/23 at 2:41pm

What a cast!!! CONGRATS. 

Might it have plans to come to broadway? 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/11/23 at 2:53pm

BETTY22 said: "What a cast!!! CONGRATS. Might it have plans to come to broadway?"

It has Bway hopes. But as always, no guarantees, and I cannot see this making any money. It’s not the type of show that would find success without a star, nor the type of show that could attract one. 

[Soaring29]

Posted: 1/11/23 at 3:28pm

Josh Groban would be a good choice for the lead if they need a box office draw. Kelli O'Hara would be ideal casting for Lily too.

[BroadwayBaby6]

Posted: 1/11/23 at 4:17pm

The show with this cast is not aiming for Broadway. 

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 1/11/23 at 5:38pm

BroadwayBaby6 said: "The show with this cast is not aiming for Broadway."

Why not with this cast? Isn’t this essentially a Broadway tryout?

P.S. The original production was very successful, and the target audience - young girls and there mothers - never ceases to replenish itself. I could see this running at least a year and then recouping on the road.

[UncleCharlie]

Posted: 1/11/23 at 9:35pm

The Distinctive Baritone said: "Why not with this cast? Isn’t this essentially a Broadway tryout?

P.S. The original production was very successful, and the target audience - young girls and there mothers - never ceases to replenish itself. I could see this running at least a year and then recouping on the road."

The demo may replenish itself but tastes change over 30 years. I think young girls and their mothers in 2023, are more interested in shows like SIX than they would be in something like this. But who knows?

 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/11/23 at 9:43pm

UncleCharlie said: "The demo may replenish itself but tastes change over 30 years. I think young girls and their mothers in 2023, are more interested in shows like SIX than they would be in something like this. But who knows?"

Yes –– Waitress, The Notebook, & Juliet, Funny Girl, Woods, Once Upon A One More Time, Wicked, etc.

This would NEED major names and I do not see anyone lining up to star in this. (Let's not suggest Groban for Broadway gigs for 3-5 more years since he hasn't even opened his latest show yet.) It also doesn't have A-class commercial producers behind it.

[blaxx]

Posted: 1/12/23 at 12:06am

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Here for Julia Lester's world domination. That's terrific casting."

Hold on...

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 1/12/23 at 4:26am

Kelley Dorney is playing cholera? Umm…

[rattleNwoolypenguin]

Posted: 1/12/23 at 10:26am

This is one of those shows that is perfect for a couple week run at the Ahmanson or a school but there’s no audience appeal to bring it back to Broadway.

This show fits neatly in the pantheon of nice but forgettable “classic book musicals” cut from a very Wildhorn cloth.

There’s nothing really wrong with it but there’s nothing particularly magnetic about it. 

 

[thephantomlurker]

Posted: 2/2/23 at 9:12am

CATSNYrevival said: "Kelley Dorney is playing cholera? Umm…"

Yeah...this is....interesting

 

https://playbill.com/article/get-an-exclusive-sneak-peek-at-the-designs-for-broadway-aimed-the-secret-garden-revival

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 2/2/23 at 9:31am

Secret Garden has to have one thing, a beautiful set...so far it looks like Lord of the Rings. 

[Wick3]

Posted: 2/2/23 at 12:34pm

Most if not all Broadway revivals tend to need A-list casting in order to recoup. 

This was the first broadway show I watched when I was a kid back in the 90s and do hope a revival will someday make it to Broadway. The MCP concert back in 2016 was sold out and had such an excellent cast. Anyways I hope this production does well. I do think there is space for more family friendly shows on Broadway.

As for 2023 mothers and daughters, I think those of us who watched or were introduced to SECRET GARDEN back when we were kids in the 90s would enjoy experiencing this musical with our own kids today.

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 2/2/23 at 1:29pm

We've got tix to the first preview on Feb 19. Will report back within respectful parameters for a first preview.

But I'll just say I love this score, and was thoroughly moved by the original Bway production in '92. It's one of the forgotten great ones. I've been eagerly awaiting a ravishing revival, and pray this is it.

Updated On: 2/2/23 at 01:29 PM

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 2/2/23 at 1:34pm

The set design is… fine. Nothing really seems too exciting for this. I doubt it has legs for Broadway but maybe a regional tour? 

[Wildcard]

Posted: 2/2/23 at 3:07pm

I'm not feeling this set design. It's missing the lushness I expect from The Secret Garden

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/2/23 at 7:56pm

Sierra, John-Michael and Julia. I'm there if it comes to Broadway and they stay with it.  

[MayAudraBlessYou2]

Posted: 2/9/23 at 12:07pm

I love the suspended, swirling bit of the set. It has a lot of potential for cool effects depending on how it is lit. I wonder if it purposefully doesn't feel as "lush" as some had imagined because they are trying to keep costs down. 

I know many behind this project want to move it to Broadway, but I fear it will be a tough sell without some major name. Boggess has an admittedly enormous following of theater fans but I just dont think its enough to sustain a sustained run of this particular show. But I really hope it makes its way here and somehow finds success because I would love to see this staging and this cast.

[Maximilia]

Posted: 2/9/23 at 6:47pm

They seem to have added a new Mary Lennox. Emily Jewel Hoder is listed as Mary Lennox, and then there's two alternate Mary Lennox.  

Updated On: 2/9/23 at 06:47 PM

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 2/9/23 at 7:17pm

Maximilia said: "They seem to have added a new Mary Lennox. Emily Jewel Hoder is listed as Mary Lennox, and then there's two alternate Mary Lennox. "

Yes, the girl originally listed is now an alternate. Ouch.

[Maximilia]

Posted: 2/10/23 at 4:29am

The Distinctive Baritone said:
Yes, the girl originally listed is now an alternate. Ouch."

Yes. But the girls may have started to grow out of the part. There has ben several Mary Lennox in this production since it started, quite naturally, since kids grow. 

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 2/18/23 at 11:30pm

Anyone plan on seeing the show this week?

[broadwaybabywannabe2]

Posted: 2/19/23 at 11:12am

jacobsnchz14 said: "Anyone plan on seeing the show this week?"

sorry not this week, but March 12th. i venture to the Ahmanson...i am very excited to finally see this musical!