By Charles "Ebbie" Alfree, III
Candlelight Theatre opens its 50th season with
Lerner & Loewe’s classic musical, Brigadoon.
As the legend goes, a village called Brigadoon awakens every 100 years in
the Scottish highlands and remains awoken for only one day.
Director Bob Kelly does a fine job of bringing this magical
story about two current day Americans (Tommy Albright and Jeff Douglas) who are
exploring Scotland and happen to be visiting on the day Brigadoon comes to
life. They get pulled into the mystery and romance that surround the residents
within the fantasy village.
Brigadoon is
whimsical, but the story is slim…it’s the typical boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl in the end. The twist
is that the boy (Tommy) has to make a decision within a day…is he willing to
give up everything for the girl (his newfound love, Brigadoon citizen Fiona
MacLaren).
According to the laws of Brigadoon, a person can only move into the
village if it’s for true love. Once a person comes to Brigadoon, he/she can
never leave because if a resident should leave it would cause the village to
disappear forever.
However, the timeless score written by Alan Jay Lerner
(book and lyrics) and Frederick Loewe (music) soars through the historic
barn and into your heart. Songs include The
Heather on the Hill, Almost Like
Being in Love and my personal favorite, Come to Me, Bend to Me.
Kelly has assembled a magnificent cast, that do a great
job using a Scottish accent. Sophie Jones is absolutely delightful as Fiona.
She has a stunning voice and brings a sweetness to the character that would
make a man fall in love with her within 24 hours. The man (Tommy) is played by
the handsome Andy Boettcher. With his matinee idol looks and beautiful voice, it’s
easy to see how Fiona would be wooed by him.
They are supported by a wonderful cast, that includes Analisa Wall as Fiona’s friend Meg Brockie and Jared Calhoun as Tommy’s friend
Jeff Douglas. Both Wall and Douglas bring comedic fare to the show, especially
when Meg recounts the many loves of her life to Jeff during her tongue-in-cheek
number, The Love of My Life.
The show also boasts both exuberant and passionate dance
numbers by choreographer, Jody Anderson. Deirdre Treacy as Maggie mesmerizes in
her solo dance to mourn the death of a Brigadoon resident who accidently dies
while trying to leave the village. Her subtle and exquisite moves express the
love and sadness felt by all the villagers.
Tara Bowers has created gorgeous period costumes that allow
the dancers and cast to move freely on the beautiful set by scenic designer,
Jeff Reim. Bowers’ tartan patterns on the wool clothing perfectly
compliment Reim’s stoned outlined set with a sumptuous Scottish landscape
that sits in the distance.
I say treat yourself and your family to an enchanting night
at Candlelight Theater and see Brigadoon before it disappears on October 28.
For tickets visit www.candlelighttheatredelaware.org or 302.475.2313.