Magical, Mysterious 'Brigadoon' Resurfaces at Muhlenberg College
Muhlenberg Theatre & Dance presents Lerner & Loewe's enchanted Golden Age musical, Oct. 26 – Nov. 4.By: Sarah Jae Leiber '19 Wednesday, October 17, 2018 02:22 PM
The mystery and magic of the Scottish highlands comes out of the Golden Age of musical theater and onto the Muhlenberg College stage this fall as Muhlenberg theatre & dance presents Lerner and Loewe’s “Brigadoon,” Oct. 26 – Nov. 4.
“The show is unabashed romanticism,” says Muhlenberg theater professor Charles Richter, who directs the show. “It’s a grand, moving tale of lost love. It’s musical theatre on the grandest scale.”
In Lerner and Loewe’s 1947 breakout hit musical, two American tourists happen upon a Scottish village that is only visible once every hundred years. Brigadoon, the town, is beautiful, welcoming and just a little bit magical.
“‘Brigadoon’ is interesting—it blends music and dance in a very unique way,” Richter says. “People are going to be stunned by the quality of the talent, by how well this cast can serve that unique blend.”
Lyricist Alan Jay Lerner and composer Frederick Loewe are most famous for “My Fair Lady” and “Camelot,” musicals known for their hummable melodies, clever lyrics and compelling stories. Their first big hit, “Brigadoon” features musical theater standard “Almost Like Being in Love.”
“It’s gorgeous,” says Julian Mone ’19, who plays American adventurer Tommy Albright. “From the ten-part harmonies of a gigantic, beautiful score, to the full-scale ballets and big sung numbers, it’s just gorgeous.
“Shows like this aren’t made anymore, and to get to see such a huge production from a dance, vocal and acting perspective is a rare opportunity,” he says.
The cast of 45 Muhlenberg students has been working hard to create the dreamlike, magical town of Brigadoon, Richter says. Theater professor Troy Dwyer serves as dialect designer, ensuring that the cast’s accents are authentically Scottish.
“Troy has been a huge help,” Richter says. “We have a great team working on the production, including professor of dance Karen Dearborn, who’s choreographing, and Ed Bara, who’s the musical director.”
“Scenic designer Curtis Dretsch has come up with an ingenious design that really accentuates the dreamlike quality of the piece,” he says. “We also have a 21-piece professional orchestra, which you need because of the lushness of the musical arrangements.”
Magically suspended in time, the town of Brigadoon offers a sanctuary from the pressures of modern living. When the Americans stumble upon it, they become infatuated with the town and its inhabitants—and they must decide before it’s too late whether to stay or bid Brigadoon farewell forever. “Brigadoon” is the escapist fantasy we all need right now, says Cheyanne Leid ’20, who plays Fiona MacLaren, the show’s romantic lead.
“The town elder, Mr. Lundie, says that a lot of folks would like a Brigadoon of their own,” Leid says. “And I think that, you know, a lot of people would. ‘Brigadoon’ is so family-oriented. It’s full of so many different kinds of love, and I think we could all use some of that.”
“We all kind of tear up when Mr. Lundie says that line,” Mone says. “It’s just so relevant to us and to everybody navigating 2018.”
“Brigadoon” plays Oct. 26 – Nov. 4. Showtimes are Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m, with an additional 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, Nov. 3. Regular admission tickets are $22. Tickets for youth and LVAIC students and staff are $8.
Tickets can be purchased online at muhlenberg.edu/theatre or by phone at 484-664-3333. Performances are in the Empie Theatre in the Baker Center for the Arts, Muhlenberg College, 2400 West Chew St., Allentown.
Founded in 1848, Muhlenberg College is a highly selective, private, four-year residential college located in Allentown, PA., approximately 90 miles west of New York City. With an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 2,200 students, Muhlenberg College is dedicated to shaping creative, compassionate, collaborative leaders through rigorous academic programs in the arts, sciences, business, education and public health. A member of the Centennial Conference, Muhlenberg competes in 22 varsity sports. Muhlenberg is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Muhlenberg offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in theater and dance. The Princeton Review ranked Muhlenberg’s theater program in the top twelve in the nation for eight years in a row, and Fiske Guide to Colleges lists both the theater and dance programs among the top small college programs in the United States. Muhlenberg is one of only eight colleges to be listed in Fiske for both theater and dance.
