The Secret Garden
Act I
In 1911, young Mary Lennox wakes one morning in India to discover that her parents, her nurse Ayah and everyone she knows in Bombay has died during the night of cholera. She is sent to live with her brooding Uncle Archibald, a misanthropic hunchback, at Misselthwaite, his gloomy 160-room mansion in Yorkshire.
Mary learns that her uncle still mourns the death of his lovely wife Lily, the sister of Mary's mother, he is so reclusive, in fact, that Mary shouldn't expect to ever see him, and there will be no one to play with. As they approach The House Upon the Hill, Mary realizes that life there may be as bleak and miserable as the house itself and receives this news with stony slience; she is a willful and determined little girl not overly used to being happy anyway. At night Mary hears an eerie wailing, but sees only the shadows cast by her uncle as he wanders the halls in search of Lily's ghost.
The next morning Martha, the irrepressible chambermaid, hints that there might be something interesting to do outside. On her way out she encounters her Uncle Archibald, who seems completely lost, singing and dancing with Lily's ghost in an empty ballroom. Once she begins to spend her days outside, Mary's sourness gradually fades. She learns from the cantankerous head gardener, Ben, of a mysterious walled garden which has been kept locked since Lily's death. And she meets Dickon, Martha's brother, who has a special connection to nature and animals love him. Dickon teaches Mary to speak to the ever-chirping Robin in Yorkshire, and the bird, in turn, shows Mary where to find the key to the secret garden.
Mary asks her Uncle for A Bit of Earth to plant some seeds that Dicon gave her; but she cannot find the door to Lily's garden. Her simple request triggers powerful memories for Archibald, and as the Storm rages outside, he sinks further into the past. Archibald and his brother, Dr. Neville Craven, sing of how Mary reminds them of Lily, Neville was also in love with his brother's beautiful wife. Later, Mary sneaks into the forbidden west wing, where she discovers her cousin Colin, a sickly but imperious boy who is confined to his bed & only visited by his father when he is asleep. Their budding friendship is interrupted by Dr. Craven and Mrs. Medlock, and Mary is banished from Colin's room; suddenly rushing out of the house, reliving the cholera epidemic and feeling more lost than ever. The watchful spirits lead her through this nightmare, gringing her finally to the ivy cloaked door of The Secret Garden.
Act II
Mary has a dream about the garden in full blossom. Everyone she has known and loved is alive and well, and gathered in the garden to celebrate her birthday. Inside the house, Dr. Craven discovers Archibald packing to leave for Paris and accuses him of shirking his responsibilities. The doctor insists that Mary must be sent away to school. Teh brothers quarrel, summoning the spirits of Lily and Mary's mother Rose. Archibald will not be deterred: he says goodbye to the sleeping Colin and leaves.
On the next morning, Mary races outside to find Dickon: she has found the garden, but it is dead! Dickon encourages her to look closer. They pledge to bring the garden back to life. Not long after that, Mary tells Colin she has found his mother's garden and wants him to see it. Colin and Mary visit the garden together for the first time at night, and through its magical power, Mary's faith in him and a Hindu chant she learned in India, Colin overcomes his fear and stands.
Then, passionately needing to remain at Misselthwaite to see the garden bloom and Colin regain his strength, Mary refuses to go to the boarding school Dr. Craven has chosen for her. Martha encourages her to Hold On, and helps mary write a letter to her Uncle, asking him to come home.
Mary's letter finds Archibald in a very dark moment. Lily's ghost appears to lead him back home. there, amid the startling blooms and splendid fragrances of the no longer secret garden, Colin walks into his father's arms and proclaims that he is well. A family has formed: Archibald welcomes Mary as his own child and, to thank her for restoring their health and happiness, he gives her the beautiful garden for her own. As the three laugh and embrace, the ghosts - no longer needed - depart, one by one.
