The Secret Garden (Dramatized)

By: Frances Hodgson Burnett

Narrated by: Barbara Rosenblat, Michael Crouch, Georgia Lee Schultz, John Jarvis

A Voices in the Wind Audio Theatre Production and The First Noelle Productions

The Secret Garden, one of the most popular children’s stories of all time, comes to life in this magical audio theatre presentation featuring Golden Voice Barbara Rosenblat (from the original 1991 Tony Award–winning Broadway show) as Mrs. Medlock, Golden Voice Michael Crouch as Colin, ATC Seneca Award Nominee for Best Actress Georgia Lee Schultz as Mary Lennox, and John Jarvis as Ben Weatherstaff. Engaging sound effects and music enhance this full-cast dramatization.

Frances Hodgson Burnett introduces us to Mary Lennox, a spoiled and headstrong young girl sent to live with her uncle Archibald Craven at Misselthwaite Manor after her parents die from a cholera outbreak in India. At first, Mary is as sour and rude as ever. She dislikes her new home, the people living in it, and, most of all, the bleak moor on which it sits.

However, Mary soon discovers an abandoned secret garden behind the gate in the manor. Slowly her ill health and attitude change when she meets Dickon, a local boy who has a way with animals, and sickly Colin. Together they transform the garden and become close friends, transforming each other in the process.

The Secret Garden explores themes of rejuvenation, isolation, happiness, what it truly means to be weak or strong, and what truly makes a home.

The Secret Garden was a finalist for three ATC Seneca Awards:
BEST LEADING ACTRESS — Georgia Lee Schultz for her role as Mary Lennox
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS — Barbara Rosenblat for her role as Mrs. Medlock

and

BEST COVER ART — Larissa Ezell for cover design and illustration

Critic reviews

“Barbara Rosenblat…and a full cast deliver an enchanting interpretation of Burnett’s beloved children’s story…with animated comments and apt characterizations…Engaging and well-placed sound effects—birdsong, pounding rain, footsteps on gravel—augment the production and create a full-bodied sense of place. This audiobook is a treasure and is sure to captivate listeners of all ages.”

(AudioFile magazine)

“It is only the exceptional author who can write a book about children with sufficient skill, charm, simplicity, and significance to make it acceptable to both young and old. Mrs. Burnett is one of the few thus gifted.”

(New York Times)

“Even the most cynical reader would be hard pressed to remain unmoved by The Secret Garden. There is an old-fashioned tenderness and joy to it; the sense that magic happens if you are observant and quiet and know it will.”

(Sophie Dahl, Sunday Times (London) bestselling author)

Mother Daughter Bonding

My daughter and I loved to listen to this book together. It was our first audiobook that we enjoyed as a pair. Perfect for car rides, coloring, or before bed.

the audio dramatization was amazing!

this was a splendid dramatization of this story! the cast did such an incredible job.

it was fascinating

there was not to much to dislike it was worth a listen I promise you

Appropriate for kids

Voice actors were good but there were some who were hard to tell apart. This simplification of a classic children’s novel will do for kids with the appropriate attention span. It is hard for modern adults to imagine characters with such a benighted view of how to raise children.

My kids love this story!

My kids have asked for this story over and over again! They stay more engaged with the story, hearing the different voices, sound affects and the background sounds.