Show Synopsis: Mary Lennox, a ten-year-old orphan, leaves India to live with her Uncle Archibald in England after her parents die. Although she is initially upset and disagreeable about the change, she begins to make friends around her uncle's manor. She eventually learns about a hidden garden that belonged to her deceased Aunt Lily, and when she finds it, she begins to cultivate it and bring it back to health. Mary also begins to help her crippled cousin Colin learn to walk. Meanwhile Archibald, who is accustomed to being melancholy and withdrawn with his memories of Lily, is bemused at the changes in the house since Mary's arrival. His brother Neville attempts to send both him and Mary away in attempts to control the property himself, but Mary is able to bring herself, Archibald, and Colin back together to begin life as a family. Character: Lily, the ghost of Archibald's young and beautiful late wife; loved her garden and her husband more than anything else; was very kind and looked past outward appearances to know people. Colin Craven, a young spoiled teenage boy who does not know life outside of his bedroom because he was born ill and has been told to stay away from everything else for fear of his death; arrogant and angry with the entire world; longs for true love and attention for something other than his illness. Song Context: At the start of the story of Mary and the secret garden, the ghost of Lily appears to invite Mary and the audience to her garden and experience the magic and tranquility that it can provide. Later on, she appears to Colin in a dream to beckon him to the garden. Fun Facts: 1) The original Frances Hodgson Burnett children's novel The Secret Garden focuses much more closely on Mary's personal journey and interactions with people closer to her age than the viewpoints and actions of the adults at the manor. In the musical adaptation, scenes and songs like this one showed how the adults around Mary were affected by her relationship with the garden and with Colin, making the production accessible for more mature audiences. 2) Rebecca Luker originated the role of Lily on Broadway and was nominated for the Drama Desk Award for Best Featured Actress in A Musical. 3) John Babcock originated the role of Colin on Broadway but had to leave the production when his voice changed too much for the role.
"LILY? Clusters of crocus, Purple and gold Blankets of pansies, Out from the cold. Lilies and iris, Safe from the chill. Safe in my garden, Snowdrops so still.?? Come to my garden nestled in the hills. There I'll keep you safe beside me. Come to my garden, rest there in my arms. There I'll see you safely grown and on your way. Stay there in the garden Where love grows free and wild. Come to my garden, Come, sweet child. ?COLIN Lift me up and lead me to the garden, Where life begins anew, Where I'll find you And I'll find you love me too. Lift me up and lead me to the garden, ??LILY Come to my garden. ??COLIN Where life begins anew, ??LILY Rest there in my arms.?? COLIN Where I'll tell you, where I'll show you?? LILY There I'll see you safely grown?? COLIN A new life, a new life. ??LILY And on your way. ? COLIN I shall see you in my garden Where spring will come and stay,?? LILY Where love grows free and wild?? COLIN Lift me up and lead me to the garden,? LILY? Come to my garden. ??COLIN Come, sweet day."