The mythical village Brigadoon appears in Scotland’s Highlands once every hundred years.
After a day, it vanishes back into the mists, its people frozen in time for another century.
“Brigadoon,” the 1947 Broadway musical by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe, isn’t quite as difficult to see as the town itself—but it has disappeared from major theaters for a long stretch of time. Although the show has some wonderful songs, its story isn’t as strong, according to many critics. And so, Goodman Theatre is presenting a retooled “Brigadoon” by director-choreographer Rachel Rockwell. With permission from Lerner’s estate, Brian Hill revised the book, aiming to up the Scottish authenticity and give the characters more depth.
Hill and Rockwell could have gone even deeper. The love story at the heart of “Brigadoon” still feels vague. Tommy Albright, one of two Americans who stumble into the momentarily real Scottish village, is having cold feet about his impending marriage, but we never get a strong sense of why. And when he meets Fiona, a Brigadoon lass who’s due to disappear along with her town when night falls, it’s hard to believe he’s suddenly willing to give up everything for her.
Ah, but “Brigadoon” is all about how love is mysterious and the world is miraculous. And so, in spite of those shortcomings, this production transports us to a wonderful and lovely place. In part, that’s because the actor playing Tommy, Kevin Early, and the actress playing Fiona, Jennie Sophia, have such stunning voices. When they join together on “Almost Like Being in Love,” the sheer power of that soaring duet makes up for what’s lacking in the script.
The large cast dances beautifully, blending the traditional steps of Scottish highland dance with the graceful, curving patterns of ballet. And kudos to set designer Kevin Depinet and projection designer Shawn Sagady for transforming the Goodman’s stage into an ever-shifting and multilayered magical milieu, where it seems possible that a village—or even a romance—might appear out of nowhere.
“Brigadoon” continues through August 17 at Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn, Chicago. Call 312-443-3800 or visit the theatre’s website for tickets and schedule.
Photo by Liz Laure
