AUDITION NOTICE
SECRET GARDEN, SPRING VERSION
Written by Marsha Norman, Lucy Simon and Frances Hodgson Burnett
Produced by Main Street Theatre Company
Directed by Susan Sweeney
Musical Direction by AJ Meeker
Open Auditions: July 29 and 30, 2025 - 7PM to 9PM – WALK IN WELCOME
Callbacks by Invitation: July 31, 2025 - 7PM to 9PM
Show Dates: October 18 and 25 at 8 PM, October 19 and 26 at 3PM
SYNOPSIS:
This 90-minute version of the beloved musical Secret Garden is as beautiful and spirited as the original in just half the time.
This enchanting classic of children's literature is reimagined in brilliant musical style by composer Lucy Simon and Marsha Norman, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright of 'Night Mother.
Orphaned in India, 11-year-old Mary Lennox returns to Yorkshire to live with her embittered, reclusive uncle Archibald and his disabled son Colin. The estate's many wonders include a magic garden which beckons the children with haunting melodies and the "Dreamers," spirits from Mary's past who guide her through her new life, dramatizing The Secret Garden's compelling tale of forgiveness and renewal.
CHARACTERS
MARY LENNOX - Female, 14 - 17 (Range: Young Voice, Ab3-D5) A ten year-old girl sent to live with her uncle, Archibald, when her parents die from cholera in India. Quite the curious explorer, and often finding herself in trouble. Stubborn and always fighting for what she believes in.
ROSE LENNOX - Female, 28-45 (Range: Soprano, A3-D6) Mary's mother. A “dreamer” from the past who doesn’t understand how her sister Lily could truly love Archibald. Very loyal to her husband and refuses to leave India during the cholera outbreak that takes her life.
MRS. MEDLOCK - Female, Age Flexible (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible) Archibald’s housekeeper. As cold as the Misselthwaite Manor.
MARTHA - Female, 18-30 (Range: Mezzo-Soprano Belt, G3-D5) A faithful housemaid. Grew up near Yorkshire and has the accent to prove it. Although she is from a lower class family, her wisdom is often far beyond her age.
MRS. WINTHROP/READER- Female, Age Flexible (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible) Headmistress of a private school. Prides herself on nurturing girls with tempers. Mary seems to be more than she can handle.
LILY - Female, 28-45 (Range: Soprano, Bb3-D6) Mary's aunt and Archibald Craven's wife. Died of a tragic accident within her garden and metaphorically haunts the walls of Misselthwaite Manor.
AYAH - Female, Age Flexible (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible) Mary's Indian nanny.
COLIN CRAVEN - Male, 14-17 (Range: Young Voice, A3-E5) Archibald's ten year-old son. Spent his life in bed due to a heart condition. He is very stubborn and throws temper tantrums to get what he wants. He believes his father hates him for causing Lily’s death.
CAPTAIN ALBERT LENNOX - Male, 30-45 (Range: Tenor, D3-A5) Mary's father. Tries to send Rose out of India during the cholera outbreak.
ARCHIBALD CRAVEN - Male, 35-45 (Range: Baritone, C3-A4) Mary's uncle and lord of
Misselthwaite Manor. He has a hunch-back. Haunted by the past and afraid of the future, he locks himself away both physically and mentally. Mary painfully reminds him too much of his wife, Lily, who died ten years ago.
DR. NEVILLE CRAVEN - Male, 35-45 (Range: Baritone, C3-F#4) Archibald’s brother. Trapped by the idea that he is responsible for the caretaking of Colin. Even though he was never loved back by Lily, he is still in love with her. This adds to his unwillingness to move on and leave Misselthwaite.
BEN WEATHERSTAFF - Male, Age Flexible (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible, E3-D#4) Head gardener. Secretly entrusted to take care of the garden after Lily’s death. Knows a great deal about the history of the garden and the grounds it sits on. He has worked for the family for many years. He calls himself “an old man.”
DICKON - Male, 16-25 (Range: Tenor, D3-G4) Martha's younger brother. Looks after the sick plants and animals within the Misselthwaite grounds—including Mary. He is a young man who is between the world of child imagination and adult reasoning. Befriends Mary and convinces her to take care of the Garden.
READERS - Servants/Ensemble – Any Gender, 16 to Senior (household staff, gardener staff, kitchen staff)
**An Accompanist will be available or bring an accompaniment track.**
Secret Garden Spring Version Songs
ACT 1
Prologue
Prelude- Lily, Mary
Snake Charm Song- Mary, Ajah
There’s a Girl- Rose, Albert, Readers
The House Upon the Hill- Rose, Albert, Readers
There’s A Girl- Rose, Albert, Readers
Snake Charm Song- Rose, Albert, Lily, Ajah, Mary
Scene 1 Garden
Skip Song (It’s A Maze)- Martha
It’s a Maze- Ben, Readers
Scene 2 Manor House
A Girl in the Valley- Archibald,Lily
Scene 3 Garden
Skip Song(It’s A Maze)- Mary
Show Me the Key- Mary, Dickon
The Girl I Mean to Be- Mary
Scene 4 Manor House- none
Scene 5 Hallways
I Heard Someone Crying- Lily, Mary, Readers, Archibald
Scene 6 Colin’s Room- none
Scene 7 Garden
Come to my Garden- Lily
ACT 2
Scene 1 Manor House
Lily's Eyes- Craven, Archibald
Scene 2 Garden
Wick- Mary, Dickon
Scene 3 Colin’s Room
Come to My Garden/ Lift me Up- Lily, Colin, Readers
Scene 4 Garden- none
Scene 5 Garden
Mary’s Chant- Mary
Come Spirit Come Charm- Mary, Dickon, Martha, Readers
Scene 6 Manor House
Hindi Tantrum- Mary
Scene 7 Manor House
Hold On- Martha, Readers
Letter Song- Mary, Martha, Archibald
Scene 8 Paris
How Could I Ever Know- Lily, Archibald
Scene 9 Garden
Come Spirits Come Charm- Mary, Dickon
Finale- Company
Licensing by Concord Theatrical
You may also like the following events from Main Street Theatre Company:
Also check out other
Arts events in Old Bridge,
Workshops in Old Bridge,
Theatre events in Old Bridge.
