Daisy Eagan, who became the youngest actress to ever receive a Tony Award for her performance as Mary Lennox in the original production of The Secret Garden in 1991 return to the play in November. 25 years after the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical production of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic children’s story The Secret Garden, the Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) and the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle will co-present the timeless tale from November 15-December 31 at Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street NW).
In this production, Daisy Eagan will take on the role of Martha, the young chambermaid who helps to bring Mary back to life. She will be joined by first-class musical theatre performers including: West End star Michael Xavier, making his U.S. debut as Archibald Craven; Broadway’s Josh Young, whose credits include Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar; and Lizzie Klemperer, seen most recently in Bright Star. Making their STC debuts, the young leads will be played by D.C.-area actors Anya Rothman (Mary Lennox) and Henry Baratz (Colin Craven). The musical is directed by David Armstrong, Artistic Director at The 5th Avenue Theatre.
The story: When 10-year-old Mary Lennox loses her parents to a cholera epidemic in the British Raj of India, she travels to England to stay with Archibald Craven, her remote and morose uncle, still grieving the death of his wife ten years ago. Terrified of every nook and cranny of the haunted Craven Manor on the Yorkshire Moors, Mary seeks refuge in her late aunt’s mysterious walled garden, where she discovers amazing secrets.
The Secret Garden was created by Grammy Award-winning composer Lucy Simon and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Marsha Norman. The show’s lush, melodic score and moving story of love, loss and renewal earned the 1991 Tony Award for Best Musical and won the hearts of its audiences.
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