Six tickets remain for the Saturday, July 19, 2014, matinee performance of the Goodman Theatre’s production of the first, large-scale, professional revival of “Brigadoon” in more than three decades. Under director/choreographer Rachel Rockwell, a company of 28 dancers and singers breathe new live into the enchanting tale of an 18th century Scottish village. Complications arise when it is discovered by two 20th century Americans.
The trip is sponsored by Friends of the Odell Public Librrary. Cost for the trip is $85 which includes deluxe motor coach transportation, orientation meeting and preparation materials, center mezzanine seating for the Saturday, July 19, 2:00 p.m. matinee, and pre-theatre Loop Shopping or Chicago Cultural Center Tour. Not included are lunch and dinner. On the drive home the coach will stop for a leisurely dinner (on your own, off the menu) at The White Chocolate Grill in Naperville, IL. To claim one of the last half-dozen tickets or for a detailed itinerary, visit the Odell Public Library, 307 S. Madison Street, Morrison, IL, or call 815-772-7323.
In addition to seeing “Brigadoon,” participants will have two hours before the performance to
- shop in The Loop
- take a 45-minute tour of the Chicago Cultural Center
- or use the time to plan their own activities.
Lunch will be on your own; a list of Loop restaurants will be available.
When the play debuted on Broadway in 1947, it was Lerner and Loewe’s third musical–and the one that established them as a formidable Broadway composing team. The plot, according to Lerner, occured to him when Loewe offhandedly remarked, “Faith moves mountains.” When American tourists Tommy and Jeff become lost on vacation in Scotland, they stumble into a town that isn’t on their map. Eventually they learn that Brigadoon was once a bustling town, but now appears only for one day each century. While the two men sort out the town’s curious circumstances–including that no outsiders can stay unless they fall in love, and no resident can ever leave or the village will vanish forever–Tommy meets the love of his life. What happens when the day ends and Brigadoon fades into the mountain mist for another century?
What makes this production unique?
Rockwell…incorporates elements of traditional Scottish dance, which is “similar to ballet, so it’s already a good marriage for this classical score,” with “nods to certain Highland country dances in the footwork[. B]ut we’re definitely taking theatrical liberties; we could never hope to master in a few short weeks, a discipline that people spend their lives perfecting.”
Musical director Roberta Duchak and orchestrator Josh Clayton use…period-specific Scottish sounds. Duchak explained, “Frederick Loewe’s score is among the most glorious music ever written for musical theatre, each song having a wonderful emotional journey to it. Our 13-piece orchestra uses a lot of doubling to bring it to life in the spirit in which it was created. In addition, we’ll weave in Scottish tenor drum, soprano recorder, penny whistles, and…bagpipes to evoke the sounds of 18th century Scotland.” As a bonus, the Friends of the Odell Public Library group will meet with Duchak immediately following the performance.
Because the town appears for only 24 hours, time of day is as important to the scenic design as the moss-covered houses of the Highlands and mountain mist. Set designer Kevin Depinet stated, “…we wanted to create a world that feels earthy and rooted, yet magical, airy, and light. As I was researching Scotland, every photo of the Highlands had an epic sky that seemed to stretch on forever–and I immediately knew how we could track the time of day.”
Fabric used for many costumes comes from tartan mills in Scotland. Kilts are handmade by a shop in Inverness.