Windy City Media Group Frontpage News

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

home search facebook twitter join
Gay News Sponsor Windy City Times 2023-12-13
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Donate

Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor

  WINDY CITY TIMES

SCOTTISH PLAY SCOTT 'Brigadoon' reappears
by Scott C. Morgan, Windy City Times
2014-06-25

This article shared 3660 times since Wed Jun 25, 2014
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email


To put it bluntly, out playwright Brian Hill is tampering with a classic. The Goodman Theatre brought him aboard to revise the script for its new production of Brigadoon, the 1947 Broadway musical about a magical Scottish village that reappears for one day every 100 years.

Considering that Brigadoon creators Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner would go on to collaborate on other classics like My Fair Lady and Camelot, Hill knows that he has to tread carefully in his work. And that's even with the blessing of Lerner's daughter, Liza Lerner, who has granted the Goodman creative team permission to revisit and revise Brigadoon for the 21st century.

"I'll admit that it's daunting because I have such a love and respect of this piece," said Hill, adding that it was Jeff Award-winning director/choreographer Rachel Rockwell who specifically requested him to collaborate on her Goodman Theatre debut of Brigadoon after they worked so well on the 2011 musical The Adventures of Pinocchio for Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

"My history with this show goes back to when I was six years old. It was one of the first musicals I ever heard," said Hill, citing a 1957 Brigadoon studio recording featuring Shirley Jones and Jack Cassidy that his Scottish grandmother owned. "I used to listen to it religiously, so it's one of those shows that's in my DNA."

Where Hill is making most of the changes to the show is with the origin story of why Brigadoon disappears and reappears every 100 years. Though the first time disappearance of the town of Brigadoon happens in 1746, there was no mention in the musical of the historic Battle of Culloden from that same year when British forces ruthlessly crushed the Scottish highlanders who were part of the Jacobite Rebellion. As a punishment, the British government banned Scottish family tartans and kilts and set in motion policies that would play a part in the devastating Highland Clearances when several thousands of Scots were forced from their lands.

"Something that really wasn't prevalent in the original was the presence of war," Hill said. "In 1947 when Brigadoon premiered, the Second World War was still very much an open wound for all of America and I think ( Lerner and Loewe ) wrote what they wanted to be an escapist musical."

Hence in the original script for Brigadoon, the town disappears as a way to ward off black magic and witchcraft—quite an ironic premise. And when Brigadoon was originally staged in London in 1949, historians were appeased by the show's exclusion of the Battle of Culloden by having the show's current and flashback dates shifted respectively to 1935 and 1735.

"Now I think ignoring the Battle of Culloden and the Second World War—two things that profoundly affect the characters in our play—both those historical events are very helpful for us now in terms of raising the stakes and giving our characters an absolutely strong reasons to do what they do," said Hill, adding that he has also made the show's hero, Tommy Albright, a WWII veteran. "And frankly to give the town a very, very strong reason for the town to disappear from the face of the earth for another 100 years."

Veteran Chicago-area actor Roger Mueller plays Mr. Lundie in the Goodman's Brigadoon and he's very pleased with the revisions that Hill and Rockwell have made. Though Mueller hasn't previously appeared in a production of the show, he's very familiar with Brigadoon since both of his daughters have starred in it. Abby Mueller ( currently on Broadway in Kinky Boots ) starred as the leading lady Fiona MacLaren in the Marriott Theatre's last revival of Brigadoon, while Jessie Mueller ( the Tony Award-winning star of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical ) starred as the sidekick Meg Brockie in a high school production.

"These changes are really first-rate. People are going to be rather stunned by the new gravity of the show," Mueller said. "It still has the harmony and the light-hearted moments, but even those are kind of fed by an urgency of the situation."

"We want to retain what people love about the show, and that is the magic and the charm and the passion of the piece," Hill said. "The biggest compliment to me is if people come to see the show and didn't notice the ( revisions ) and simply got swept up in the story. That would make me so happy."

Brigadoon runs from Friday, June 27, through Sunday, Aug. 10, at the Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St. Previews run through July 6, with a press opening on Monday, July 7. Regular performances vary, but are largely 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays ( also Tuesdays on July 22 and 29 ), 2 and 7:30 p.m. Thursdays ( no matinee on July 31 ), 8 p.m. Fridays ( no show July 4 ), 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays ( no matinee July 12 ), and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sundays ( no evening show July 27 ). Tickets are $25-$98 ( subject to change ); call 312-443-3800 or visit www.goodmantheatre.org .

There is also a free public screening of the 1954 film version of Brigadoon starring Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, June 29, at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, 201 E. Randolph St. Visit www.millenniumpark.org or call 312-742-1168.


This article shared 3660 times since Wed Jun 25, 2014
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email

Out and Aging
Presented By

  ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gay News

City Lit Executive Artistic Director Brian Pastor talks theater, comics, queerness 2024-03-26
- City Lit Theater has announced its programming for the 2024-25 season—which will be the company's 44th. It will also be the first season to be programmed under the leadership of Brian Pastor (they/them), who will assume ...


Gay News

The Jeff Awards announces the 50th anniversary awards for non-equity theater 2024-03-26
--From a press release - A complete list of recipients can also be found online in the Non-Equity and News and Events sections at www.jeffawards.org. (March 25, 2024 - Chicago) — Celebrating its 50th anniversary awarding recognition for Non-Equity theater, the ...


Gay News

SHOWBIZ Queer musicians, Marvel situation, Elliot Page, Nicole Kidman 2024-03-21
- Queer musician Joy Oladokun released the single "I Wished on the Moon," from Jack Antonoff's official soundtrack for the new Apple TV+ series The New Look, per a press release. The soundtrack, ...


Gay News

THEATER Chicago's City Lit has anxiety on tap with 'Two Hours in a Bar' 2024-03-21
- Two Hours in a Bar Waiting for Tina Meyer by Kristine Thatcher with material by Larry Shue Text Me by Kingsley Day (Book, Music and Lyrics). At: City Lit Theater, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.. Tickets: ...


Gay News

Jamie Barton brings nuances of identity to her Lyric Opera 'Aida' performance 2024-03-18
- Chicago's Lyric Opera is currently featuring a production of Giuseppe Verdi's Aida starring Michelle Bradley as Aida, Jamie Barton as Amneris and Russell Thomas as Radamès. The opera runs through April 7, 2024, with Francesca Zambello ...


Gay News

Queer Eye's Jai Rodriguez is set to slay at The Big Gay Cabaret 2024-03-05
- Out and proud performer Jai Rodriguez is set to play at The Big Gay Cabaret this March for three days. Presented by RuPaul Drag Racer Ginger Minj, this monthly series highlights the wide world of cabaret ...


Gay News

THEATER 'R & J' puts a female, queer spin on Shakespeare 2024-03-05
- Romeo and Juliet is the theatrical gift that keeps on giving. It's been reworked for the masses numerous times, whether in direct adaptations or musicals such as West Side Story. Shakespeare's plotline points have even inspired ...


Gay News

Center on Halsted hosts 6th Annual Intergenerational Talent Show 2024-03-03
- On the evening of Feb. 29, Center on Halsted held its 6th Annual Intergenerational Talent Show in front of a packed audience at the Hoover-Leppen Theater. The event brought together participants of the Center's youth and senior ...


Gay News

THEATER When growth is paramount: Jim Corti helps fuel Aurora theater expansion 2024-03-01
- Out actor/director/choreographer Jim Corti made his Broadway debut in 1974, in the ensemble of Leonard Bernstein's musical Candide. Director Harold Prince's acclaimed Tony Award-winning revival is often cited as a ...


Gay News

Theater Review: Billy Elliot, The Musical 2024-02-19
- Book and Lyrics: Lee Hall; Music: Elton John. At: Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora Tickets: 630-896-6666 or Paramountaurora.com; $28-$79. Runs through March 24 Billy Elliot: The Musical may nearly be two decades old, but ...


Gay News

'West Side Story' gets a sex-positive spin with new burlesque show 2024-02-19
- In partial observance of National Condom Day, which was Feb. 14, Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) presented A West Side Story Burlesque at the Harris Theater for two hour-long performances on Feb. 17. The show, ...


Gay News

Second Glance Productions hosts LGBTQupid Soiree 2024-02-16
- In celebration of Valentine's Day, Chicago based film and media production company Second Glance hosted The LBGTQupid Soiree. The event, which was focused on spinning attitudes on this particular day, was presented at The iO ...


Gay News

Carisa Hendrix mesmerizes as Lucy Darling in Teatro ZinZanni 2024-02-12
- Since 2019, Teatro ZinZanni has gathered together amazing performers from all over the world to create an experience in Chicago under the Spiegeltent in the Cambria Hotel building, 32 W. Randolph St. Over the years, ticket ...


Gay News

THEATER Dot-Marie Jones talks Goodman production, 'Glee,' 'Bros' 2024-02-12
- Running through Feb. 18 at the the Goodman Theatre, the production Highway Patrol works with a script conceived entirely from Emmy-winning actor Dana Delany's (TV's China Beach) digital archive of hundreds of tweets and direct messages ...


Gay News

Dr. Lady J explains how opera can be a drag 2024-02-10
- On Feb. 8, Center on Halsted, in partnership with Lyric Opera of Chicago, presented a lecture by historian, drag activist, podcaster and curator Dr. Lady J. The event, titled "Castrated Superstars, Cross Dressed Divas, and Queer ...


 


Copyright © 2024 Windy City Media Group. All rights reserved.
Reprint by permission only. PDFs for back issues are downloadable from
our online archives.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.

All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.

 
 

TRENDINGBREAKINGPHOTOS







Sponsor


 



Donate


About WCMG      Contact Us      Online Front  Page      Windy City  Times      Nightspots
Identity      BLACKlines      En La Vida      Archives      Advanced Search     
Windy City Queercast      Queercast Archives     
Press  Releases      Join WCMG  Email List      Email Blast      Blogs     
Upcoming Events      Todays Events      Ongoing Events      Bar Guide      Community Groups      In Memoriam     
Privacy Policy     

Windy City Media Group publishes Windy City Times,
The Bi-Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community.
5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640-2113 • PH (773) 871-7610 • FAX (773) 871-7609.