Search - Lucy Simon, Meredith Braun, Philip Quast :: The Secret Garden

The Changes From Broadway Lose the Show's Identity

artimuszeln | Nova Scotia, Canada | 07/15/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"There are good arguments for whether the London recording of this show is worse or better than it's Broadway counterpart. But it all comes down to what works best for you. Because these are two very, very different shows. The basic plot, music and characters are the same, but the style and tone of the two recordings are polar opposites. Broadway presents us with a much more mature and spiritual look, and a less faithful adaptation. It is more haunting, serious and has a stronger impact when you reach the end. It's a more stirring version, because it dares to take liberties with the book. This helps to create the musical as its own story, more than a copy.The London version has been changed to be closer to the book. While it still retains parts of the Lily/Archibald story, but it has lost it's prominance. This is a musical version of the book, and doesn't really rise above that at all. It doesn't bring any truly new elements but only partial ones. It's still fantastic music and very well performed, but the powerful identity is lost.Performance wise, you could make your case either way. Someone who detests Mandy Patinkin would have trouble with Broadway, and Phillip Quast is of course excellent. But Quast is better as Javert, a role where he is forceful. He lacks the innocence and vulnerability that is a part of Archie's character. He is simply too strong for the role. Mary is owned by Daisy Eagen, and while London's Mary is decidedly more British, she simply cannot carry the show the way Eagen did. And there's no argument that Lily here is simply por. Rebecca Luker gave a stunning performance, where London's Lily sounds about 15 and doesn't work well at all. But her role is decidedly less important, so it's a trade-off as well. Martha in both versions is good, and I don't think you can really complain about either. Broadway's is a little more pleasantly Yorkshire to London's strong Yorkshire. I can go with either, and it's just a matter of personal taste.Dicken in London sounds a bit forced. He doesn't carry his accent with the same natural level that the Broadway Dicken does. But both are fun and work. Colin is a horrible role, with arguably the worst song in both versions of the show (Round Shouldered Man) and there's no preference to either. The changes musically just left me wondering why they cut the quartet, Show Me The Key and yet left Round Shouldered Man. The insistance on returning more to the book really made some of the changes questionable. And as for the actal recordings, both sound good except that London sounds a bit muffled and the orchestra too sharp. This is old Yorkshire, the orchestra needs a but of a softness. Neither is a flaw worth noting.Overall I prefer Broadway, especially because it's a more independant and powerful show. But you can't really go too wrong with either."

Incorrect Track Listing - review

Patrick Clow | VT, USA | 11/19/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The track listing above is for the Original Broadway Recording, not this version. One of the major differences between the 2 versions, besides the different cast and song rewrites, is the track order. Simon & Norman made changes there to tell the story a different way. Here is the actual track listing:1. Prologue: Journey From India To Yorkshire
2. A Fine White Horse
3. Garden Suite 1
4. A Girl In The Valley
5. The Girl I Mean To Be
6. Winter's On The Wing
7. A Bit Of Earth8. The Storm
9. Round Shouldered Man
10. Lily's Eyes
11. Race You To The Top Of The Morning
12. Wick
13. Come To My Garden
14. Garden Suite 2
15. A Bit Of Earth (Reprise)
16. Hold On
17. The Letter Song
18. Where In The World
19. How Could I Ever Know
20. Spring Music
21. Come To My Garden (Reprise)My review of the disc: I am not a fan of the changes made to the original. I like Philip Quast's portrayal of Archie -- he feels more accessible than Patinkin (whom I admire, but in this version Quast moves me more) -- 'Where in the World' is stunning with Quast. Lily is an inappropriate voice here -- perhaps I am too enamored with Rebecca Luker's floating voice -- a belting Lily just feels wrong to me. The song tweaks and re-ordering may make the story more accessible to British audiences, but the reduction of the Dreamers presence moves the story to a different location -- very external rather than hints of internal. I feel this disconnects the characters from their past and makes the emotional pendulum have a shorter swing -- I liked the pace of the move from extremely dark to beautiful life in the original much more. I'm sure some audience members appreciated the giant flock of gardener's all dancing around, but neither the music nor their inclusion added any content to the actual story -- they feel like entertainment value only and if I want that then I'll go see Crazy For You. And Daisy Eagan simply cannot be replaced as the quintessential Mary -- the Mary in this version is entirely adequate and appropriate but is also forgettable...The story is still timeless and well-told here. Simon and Norman's score is simply astounding in both versions (US and Australia are identical / London is different).I would love to hear Simon and Norman's reasons for the changes!"

Wonderful and Enchanting

lloy0076 | South Australia, AU | 11/23/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have the broadway and australian cast recordings of this album.The london cast recording is different to both; furthermore Quast, who plays Neville Craven in the Australian cast is Archibald Craven in this recording.My favourite songs from this musical remain: "I Heard Someone Crying" and "The Letter Song/Where in the World". A lot of people have died around me and I can understand the sentiment in these songs.Unlike the Broadway Cast, "I Heard Someone Crying" is part of the first storm. It gives is more poignancy, furthermore Mary's lines seem more natural....As for Quast. I am totally unable to decide whether Quast or Warlow played the part of Archibald better. I adore Warlow's voice but Quast has a warmth and depth - and a (probably) deliberate imperfection that Warlow has not.I have to vote for Quast.Besides, he is so clear and he doesn't rush "Where in the World".The only dissappointment is Meredith Braun. She has a lovely voice and it is technically perfect in this recording. However, after having listening to Rebecca Luker and Marina Prior - both very strong, very powerful sopranos - she sounds too weak and too young.Maybe this is better...after all, everyone in the play is wondering why the hell she married Archibald :-)Those who own, or have seen the same musical as The Broadway Cast should expect something quite familiar but quite different. This album is definitely "The Secret Garden"....Buy it!"