HCM CITY — The Tony Award-winning musical The Secret Garden will be staged for the first time in HCM City next month.

The musical is based on the 1911 novel of the same name by Frances Hodgson Brunnett. Its script and lyrics are by Marsha Norman and music by Lucy Simon.

It is set in the early 20th century and tells the story of Mary Lennox, a young English girl born and raised in British colonial India.

Orphaned after a cholera outbreak at the age of 10, Mary is sent away to Yorkshire in the UK to live with her uncle and cousin, whom she has never met.

Her personality blossoms as she and a young gardener bring new life to a magic garden which beckons the children with haunting melodies.

The musical premiered on Broadway in 1991 and ran for 709 performances.

In Việt Nam, The Secret Garden is being presented by the SOUL Live Project, a music/performing arts hub in Việt Nam, and Amberstone Media.

In an interview with Đẹp Magazine, composer Thanh Bùi, director of SOUL Live Project, said: “The musical is about the dreams and desires of underprivileged and unlucky children”.

The musical will feature young Vietnamese and expatriate artists. It will be performed in English.

Brian Riedlinger, artistic director of the International Choir and Orchestra of HCM City (ICOH), is the director and producer.

All proceeds from the performances will go to the NGO Saigon Children’s Charity to help underprivileged children.

The musical will be presented on November 4, 5, 6, 11 and 12 at SOUL Convention Complex, 214-216 Pasteur Street, in District 1.

Tickets are available at www.ticketbox.vn. More information on the show can be found at www.souliveproject.com.vn. -- VNS