Opened: February 26, 2023

Book & Lyrics by: Marsha Norman

Music by: Lucy Simon

Original Los Angeles Revival Cast: Sierra Boggess, Terron Brooks, Mark Capri, Peyton Crim, Derrick Davis, Susan Denaker, Randi de Marco, Kelley Dorney, Ali Ewoldt, William Foon, Ava Madison Gray, Emily Jewel Hoder, John Krause, Aaron Lazar, Julia Lester, Reese Levine, Sam Linkowski, John-Michael Lyles, Yamuna Meleth, Cassandra Marie Murphy, Ariel Neydavoud, James Olivas, Sadie Brickman Reynolds, Kyla Stone & Vishal Vaidya

If you can sit through a beautiful but painfully slow first act, the second half of The Secret Garden is sure to warm your heart.

When her parents (John Krause & Ali Ewoldt) die, Mary Lennox (Emily Jewel Hoder) is forced to move in with her uncle, Archibald Craven (Derrick Davis). However, Archibald is haunted by the loss of his wife Lily (Sierra Boggess) and his son Colin’s (Reese Levine) illness.

Since the titular garden doesn’t appear until the act one finale, the plot of the first act moves slowly. The staging isn’t exciting, but two fleeting moments will have you gasp with amazement.

However, the show makes stars out of rising actors Julia Lester and John-Michael Lyles. Both bring new life to the stage with extreme control of their voices.

Final say: The secret is a great second act. ★★★☆☆