The Secret Garden

National Review, August 12, 1991 by Eva Resnikova

The Secret Garden

A very different direction is pursued in The Secret Garden, based on the children's book by Frances Hodgson Burnett, which has the apparently unique Broadway-musical distinction of being created entirely by women. Word of mouth has overcome some disparaging reviews by middle-aged men to turn the show into a hit, especially with women and girls, as has the Tony award clinched by the young protagonist, Daisy Eagan, who won everyone's heart on national television by having the presence of mind to remember, through her trembling and tears, to thank her agent. The show's greatest liability is its fuzzy direction, though changes have reportedly been made since the early performances to help focus the action.