A Romantic Fairy Tale in Tartan

Brigadoon

As the lights dim, the haunting skirl of bagpipes fill the air of Music Theater Works’ magical, magnificent Fall production. A brief blissful and beautiful overture suddenly transports us to the Highlands of Scotland. Performed by musical director Michael McBride’s incredibly talented 8-member offstage orchestra, this symphonic sampler is followed a gorgeous a cappella Prelude, sung by an ethereal chorus that both charms and sets the scene for the romantic fairy tale in tartan that’s about to unfold.

This was Lerner & Loewe’s first of many theatrical hits, which include “My Fair Lady” and “Camelot.” It’s a gorgeous, beautifully crafted love story for the ages. It was considered groundbreaking when it opened in 1947. At the very first Tony Awards, Agnes DeMille won for her modern ballet choreography. Today the musical is  rarely-produced because the costuming is so specific and demanding. Also, unfortunately, many consider the musical too schmaltzy and old-fashioned in this modern era of hip hop and jukebox shows. But “Brigadoon” is a treasure and a real romantic treat, especially with so much sadness and negativity in the world. 

Director Sasha Gerritson has staged and guided a phenomenal Chicagoland production that’s an absolute must-see experience. This talented MTW board member recently served as chorus master for the company’s recent, incredibly entertaining and contemporary take on “Pippin.” If this presentation is further evidence of the quality of Ms. Gerritson’s work, theatergoers should hope that she be offered this opportunity again soon. Known primarily for her work with opera, Sasha brings class and quality this bewitching “Brigadoon.”

The story is simple and sweet. Tommy and Jeff, two American buddies from New York City, are on a hiking and hunting holiday through the wilds of Scotland. Although their map doesn’t show a town where they’re standing, suddenly a quaint, mysterious village begins to appear through the mist. The men find themselves standing in MacConnachy Square on market day. The unusual and colorful manner in which villagers are dressed prompts Jeff to ask if this is the day they take pictures for postcards.

The fellas also learn that on this day pretty, young Jean MacLaren will wed her handsome love, Charlie Dalrymple, who  recently returned from school in Edinburgh. Tommy is completely charmed by Brigadoon, especially by lovely Fiona MacLaren, Jean’s older sister. Jeff, however, is typically suspicious. When Tommy accompanies Fiona to gather some heather on the hill the two gradually fall in love. Jeff, who’s only interested in taking a nap, spends the afternoon fending off the romantic advances of flirtatious Meg Brockie, an attractive country lass who’s hot to trot.

When unanswered questions concerning the mystery of Brigadoon become too much for Fiona to ignore, she takes Tommy and Jeff to meet the town schoolmaster, Mr. Lundie. She says that he’s the best person to explain what’s so special about this town. Mr. Lundie tells them that two-hundred years ago, a kindly minister named Mr. Forsythe made a bargain with God to protect Brigadoon from the evils of the modern world. Every night the town will disappear, but when the villagers wake up in the morning an entire century will have passed. The one stipulation is that none of the villagers can ever leave Brigadoon or the town will vanish into the mist forever. 

Complications arise when ill-humored young Harry Beaton, who’s quietly been in love with bonnie Jean for years, expresses his anger at her wedding. He challenges Charlie Dalrymple with the sword dance. Later, after Tommy proclaims that he’s going to stay in Brigadoon, Jeff convinces his friend that this has all been a dream. So Tommy decides to return to Manhattan, where he has a fiancee waiting, rather than stay in Brigadoon with Fiona. However, a surprising eleventh hour plot twist provides the happy ending for which the audience is hoping.

Once again, Music Theater Works has cast some of Chicagoland’s finest talent. Conor Jordan, recently seen in Drury Lane’s “Grease,” is one of the best actors I’ve ever seen play the role of Tommy. His boyishly good looks and richly trained baritone voice completely befit the role. He’s perfectly matched with beautiful Sarah Obert as a Fiona, a gifted soprano who, her profile tells us, was in MTW’s production of “Camelot.” Both actors easily win over the audience with songs like “Waitin’ For My Dearie,” “The Heather on the Hill,” “Almost Like Being in Love,” and the bittersweet ballad, “From This Day On.” Mr. Jordan brings even more romance to the musical with his gorgeous rendition of “There But For You Go I.”

In supporting roles, Zachary Linnert, as the cynical Jeff Douglas (no relation), is a great foil for Jordan’s romantic Tommy Albright. Mr. Linnert’s comic timing and thoughtful line readings are absolutely spot-on. He’s partnered with lovely Madison Kauffman, as lusty Meg Brockie. Ms. Kauffman has been seen on just about every stage in Chicagoland, from Paramount to Chicago Shakespeare, from Drury Lane to Broadway in Chicago. In her two big numbers, “The Love of My Life” and, providing a  wee bit of comic relief in Act II with “My Mother’s Wedding Day,” Ms. Kauffman belts each song out of the park.

Other great standout performances amid the large company of gifted and talented triple-threats include two lovely and lithe trained dancers, Susannah Harvey as blushing bride, Jean MacLaren and Isa Ramirez, so touching as Maggie Anderson. She spends the entire show pining for Harry Beaton, who’s portrayed by ruggedly handsome dancer, Will Leonard. In a beautiful tenor soaring to the heavens, in songs like “I’ll Go Home With Bonnie Jean” and “Come to Me, Bend to Me,” comely Luke Nowakowski plays Charlie Dalrymple with a certain bawdy charm and grace. The actor also proves to be an excellent dancer, as well. And Timothy Wolf, certainly no stranger to the Music Theater Works, as well as many other area theaters, make a remarkable and memorable Mr. Lundie. Usually played by an older character, Mr. Wolf’s quirky portrayal of the schoolmaster is a winning pleasure.

Great praise must go to Clayton Cross for his excellent choreography. The entire cast seemed to be in continually motion and, while the dance moves are all courtesy of Mr. Cross, there’s a certain homage paid to Agnes DeMille’s original choreography. Ann Davis’ gorgeous scenic design, delicately lit by Andrews Meyers, is not only stunning but incredibly functional, especially as utilized through Sasha Gerritson’s inventive staging. My only criticism is that they might want to go a little lighter on the fog at the end. The audience soon completely lost sight of Tommy and Fiona as the music swelled to its conclusion. 

The wigs, hair styling and makeups designed by Alice Salazar are all very becoming. However, Jazmin Aurora Medina’s costumes, while admirably creative, sometimes disappoint. The gossamer fairy quality of the ladies’ costumes, although not quite Scottish, are still lovely and work well with the choreography. But most of the men’s kilt outfits are either worn too high on the torso or are too long or too short. One kilt was strangely even worn sideways! As a man of Scottish heritage, these faux pas irritated me.

Music Theater Works seems to be getting better and better with each new production. I feel like whenever the company performs on the more intimate North Stage theater space their work is noticeably finer and of a higher quality. “Brigadoon,” Lerner and Loewe’s first hit musical and bonafide classic, is directed with skill by Sasha Gerritson. Her large, multitalented cast is backed by a brilliant, mellifluous-sounding orchestra. It’s a rare theatrical treat that recalls the Golden Era of Musicals. This production offers a beautiful story and brings some much-needed romance, hope and magic back to a world that has, sadly, become sad, angry and jaded. Everyone needs a Brigadoon to remind them that if you love someone deeply, anything is possible. Even miracles!       

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented October 19-November 12 by Music Theater Works at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 N. Skokie Blvd., Skokie, IL.

Tickets are available at the theater box office, by calling 847-673-6300 or by going to www.MusicTheaterWorks.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.