Dream Cast: The Secret Garden, Starring Fun Home's Sydney Lucas

Come spirit, come charm…cast these other Broadway favorites in the Manhattan Concert Productions revival.

| New York City |

October 8, 2015

Today, the casting gods smiled down upon New York City. The lead role of Mary Lennox in Manhattan Concert Productions' The Secret Garden has been officially awarded to Broadway's young Tony nominee Sydney Lucas, who just this week ended her run in the 2015 Tony-winning musical Fun Home. She follows in the footsteps of Daisy Eagan, who, at 11 years old, won a Tony for her performance in The Secret Garden's original 1991 Broadway production, featuring a Tony-winning book by Marsha Norman and a Tony-nominated score by Lucy Simon. Take a look at TheaterMania's dream cast of who we think should join Lucas in the two-night concert production, coming to David Geffen Hall this February.

Archibald Craven — Ramin Karimloo

Mandy Patinkin starred as Archibald Craven in the original Broadway production of *The Secret Garden*.

Broadway's recent Jean Valjean and upcoming Prince of Broadway star not only shares original Archibald Mandy Patinkin's tenor range, but also his air of dark mystery. After years of experience in Les Mis, Karimloo knows how to make the transition from terrifying recluse to adoring father — especially to lost and lonely little girls.

Lily — Kelli O'Hara

Rebecca Luker was Broadway's original Lily in *The Secret Garden*.
(© David Gordon)

After Rebecca Luker slayed this role nearly 25 years ago, King and I Tony winner Kelli O'Hara is the only fellow soprano extraordinaire who could achieve the same level of vocal perfection. As the ghost of Archibald's wife, the role doesn't get too much stage time, but the promise of a final "How Could I Ever Know" duet between her and Ramin alone would be enough to sell out David Geffen Hall.

Dickon — Andrew Keenan-Bolger

John Cameron Mitchell, who went on to create and star in *Hedwig and the Angry Inch*, was the original Dickon in *The Secret Garden*.
(© David Gordon)

Per his casting in Broadway's upcoming Tuck Everlasting, Andrew Keenan-Bolger is as ageless as The Secret Garden's preteen nature expert. Dickon's character is technically 12 years old, but, as we learned from John Cameron Mitchell's performance in the original Broadway production, he really just has to be young at heart.

Martha — Lisa Howard

Alison Fraser was the original Martha in *The Secret Garden*.
(© David Gordon)

This Broadway star could use her recent It Shoulda Been You cred to teach Mary Lennox a little something about female empowerment. She would also belt the you-know-what out of the moving "Hold On." Exhibit A.

Colin — Jake Lucas

John Babcock created the role of Colin in Broadway's original *Secret Garden*.
(© David Gordon)

As Sydney's brother and a fellow Broadway veteran, it only makes sense for Jake to take on the role of Mary's sickly cousin Colin. They've got the family resemblance in the bag, and after Far From Heaven, Peter Pan Live!, and The King and I, playing Kelli O'Hara's son is old hat. Plus, that "Come to My Garden" duet would be flawless.

For ticketing information about Manhattan Concert Productions' The Secret Garden, click here.