Brigadoon at the Pasadena Playhouse

Daniel Yearwood being hoisted aloft by Michael Scott Harris and Chuck Saculla

 This is probably the best version of Brigadoon you are ever going to see. The voices are great, and the acting is well done. But the show is problematic.

Here is the story. 300 years ago, a priest sacrificed himself to keep Brigadoon free from the world. The catch is that Brigadoon is only "awake" one day out of every hundred years. And no one can leave. On day 3 after this, i.e. 300 years later, an American who is bored by life visits and falls in love with the "spinster" of the town. He is in love but torn about whether to stay with her forever (every 100 years) or leave and never see her again.

Betsy Morgan and Max Von Essen are Almost Like being In Love

That's the plot. Lerner and Lowe give us a soundtrack that is mainly forgettable, with a couple of exceptions, such as "Almost Like Being in Love" and "I'll Go Home to Bonnie Jean" (an earworm of the first order).

Vincente Minnelli sold it with oversaturated Technicolor splendor. Schmigadoon sold it with tongue firmly in cheek. In its pure state, it is a bit of meringue, fluffy but overly sweet and not fulfilling.

Which is too bad, the cast does excellent work with the material. Max Von Essen, as the dopey American, and Daniel Yearwood, as the dopey Birgadonnian, are both terrific. Their voices soar and yearn and reach wonderful heights. 

The townsfolk, led by Chuck Saculla, sound and move great, injecting the fun of the highlands into the Pasadena Playhouse. But when they aren't onstage, the quicksand strikes and the play bogs down in the marshes (too much?).

Donna Vivino captures the stage as the Pub Owner

Broadway vet Betsy Morgan plays the bonnie lass that steals Max' heart. She has a great voice and a wonderful talent, but the operatic tone and soaring voice overwhelms here. It is a fault of the score that tries to balance whimsical with earnest, but the two ideas clash.

Donna Vivino is much luckier with the role of pub proprietress Meg Brockie. A role where she gets to steal the stage from everyone.

Tyne Daly tells us the Brigadoon Story

I had a great time, but it is a bit of work to love.