(all photos by Stan Chandler)
On November 14, Musical Theatre Guild presented their second staged concert performance, in their current abbreviated and final season, at Glendale’s Alex Theatre. Their pick this time out was 1947’s Brigadoon, the first hit musical collaboration by Alan Jay Lerner & Frederick Loewe. Supposedly most of today’s theatregoers are not that familiar with this show or its marvelous score. Not so this writer. The first time I saw the show was on television in 1966, a trimmed down version starring Robert Goulet and Sally Ann Howes. This teenager was taken with the songs but more so with the story of a magical village in Scotland that reappeared every century for just one day. I later saw the dance heavy 1954 film that starred Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse. My first experience with a live stage version was at the PCPA Theaterfest in Santa Maria in 1974. After all these decades, I can’t tell you who the leads were, but the two performances that have stayed in my cherished memory were those by Harry Groener as Harry Beaton and Belita Moreno as Meg. My star radar must have been tuned in that day because they both ended up with TV series; Groener with Dear John, Moreno in Perfect Strangers. Both have a long list of credits on IMDB.com as well as theatrical credits that won both Robby Awards. I have seen about a half dozen productions of Brigadoon over the years since, from Santa Barbara to Vista, from San Gabriel to Fullerton, the last time in 2010. I rejoiced knowing that MTG productions usually offered the best sung version of any musical because of the deep depth of their performing members.
Shannon Warne as Fiona with women of the town
They did not disappoint me. The music sounded heavenly from the four-piece on-stage band led by pianist/conductor/musical director Jennifer Lin. The choral work from the ensemble was lovely. As the star-crossed lovers, 1946’s New Yorker Tommy and 1746’s Highlands Fiona, MTG reunited Will Collyer and Shannon Warne. The duo sparkled a few years back singing the pop score of Bacharach and David’s Promises, Promises. This time they got to sing love songs of the highest quality from Lerner and Loewe. Collyer’s joy at finding a new zest for life with a woman he’s only known for a few hours was exciting to watch in “Almost Like Being in Love”. Warne was heartbreakingly touching in the plaintive “Waitin’ for My Dearie” and “From This Day On”. Her soprano soared to the heights of the theatre’s rafters. They were the perfect dream duo whose love could work its own miracle.
Jason Graae and Will Collyer as Jeff and Tommy
Gordon Goodman brought a gravitas to the role of Mr. Lundie, the wizened schoolteacher who gets to explain the Miracle of Brigadoon to the outsiders. Gabriel Navarro and Tal Fox made a charming couple as their wedding was celebrated by the townsfolk. Jason Graae delivered his usual quota of laughs in the comic relief role as Tommy’s jaded best friend and travel companion, Jeff.
Dana Meller as Meg
The show was nearly stolen by Dana Meller as the lusty maid Meg, in both her hijinks and her comic turns with “The Love of My Life” and “My Mother’s Wedding Day”. Dance highlights from Leslie Stevens’s choreography were provided by Seth Belliston as the embittered Harry Beaton with his sword dance and by Jasmine Ejan with her mournful funeral dance.
Shannon Warne and Will Collyer as Fiona and Tommy
MTG gender-switched a few roles to showcase their strong female ensemble. One switch added extra pathos to the plot as Eileen Barnett, as Mrs. Beaton, mourned the tragic death of her troubled son. Kim Huber, making her directorial debut, did a fine job of blending the singing, dancing, drama, comedy, star turns and ensemble into a fluid and memorable evening in the theatre. The village of Brigadoon may have faded back into the mists, but my memories of this wonderful production have not.
www.musicaltheatreguild.com