BRIGADOON
Book & Lyrics By Alan Jay Lerner
Music By Frederick Loewe
Original dances created by Agnes DeMille

Auditions:
April 22-23 1pm
Lamoille Union High School

Show Dates: Jul 20-23 and 27-30
Thurs-Sat, 7:00p; Sun, 2:00p
HYDE PARK OPERA HOUSE

  A most delightful musical, Brigadoon is a beloved Scottish fantasy about a town that disappears into the Highland mist, returning for only one day every one hundred years. A tribute to simplicity and true love!  This classic Broadway musical by Lerner and Loewe opened on Broadway in 1947. The 1954 film version starred Gene Kelly, Van Johnson, and Cyd Charisse.  Kelly was the movie's choreographer.  Watching the film can give you a good feel for the show's plot, music and style - but be aware that it has considerable changes from the Broadway version, which we'll be performing at LCP.

Brigadoon is set in Scotland in about 1752. It miraculously arises from the mist for one day every 100 years.  Two American hunters, Tommy and Jeff, arrive on the scene just in time for the 20th Century's day.  The entire cast (except for Tommy and Jeff) speaks with Scottish accents; the script is written in a way that helps with this.  Helen Jurnak will be assisting us with accents.

The show calls for an onstage bagpiper.  If you or someone you know might be interested in that role, please contact us!

 

Character Descriptions:

NOTE:  Characters' ages listed are STAGE AGES
(i.e., actor need not be that age, just be able to pass in that range while on stage)

Tommy (male lead, major baritone/tenor soloist, mover or dancer) the American.  Lots of lines, solos.  Stage age 25 - 35 - ish.  Songs: The Heather on the Hill, There But for You Go I, Almost Like Being in Love, From This Day On.

Jeff (non-soloist, not particularly a dancer) the other American.  Kind of a dry sense of humor; mild comic relief.  Stage age 25 - 35 - ish.

Charlie (major tenor soloist, lines, mover or dancer.)  Young man of Brigadoon;  Jean's fiancé. Stage age about 20.  Songs:  I'll Go Home with Bonnie Jean; Come to Me, Bend to Me.

Mr. Lundie (lines, no solos, minimal movement.) The old schoolmaster who explains everything, presides over the wedding, etc.  Stage age 60 - 80.

Frank (lines) the New York bartender; only appears in the final scene.  This actor would be singing and dancing/movingin the ensemble earlier in the show.

Andrew McLaren (lines.) Father of Jean and Fiona.  Stage age 50-ish.

Harry Beaton (lines, featured dancer) young man rejected by Jean; dies in Act 2.  Stage age about 20 - 25 - ish.

Archie Beaton (lines, Harry's father.)  Ideally, must be able to carry Harry's dead body.

Fiona (female lead; major soprano soloist, mover or dancer.)  Tommy's love interest.  Stage age 25-ish.  Songs:  Waitin' for My Dearie, The Heather on the Hill, Almost Like Being in Love, There But for You Go I, From This Day On.

Jean (non-soloist; dancer; lines.) Fiona's younger sister, marries Charlie.  Stage age 18-20-ish.

Meg (major alto or mezzo soloist, mover or dancer.)  Feisty girl-about-town; interested in Jeff. In the stage version, she has two major solos.  She provides comic relief to the show.  Stage age 30 - 40 - ish.  Songs:  The Love of My Life, My Mother's Wedding Day, MacConnaghy Square.

Maggie (no lines; no solos; featured dancer.)  Loves Harry, dances the traditional Scottish funeral dance and other dance solos.  Stage age 18 - 25 - ish.

Jane (lines.) Tommy's stylish 20th Century New York fiancée.  Only appears in the final scene; will be singing and dancingin the ensemble for the rest of the show.  Stage age 25 - 35 - ish.

ENSEMBLE: Various male and female Townspeople of Brigadoon (named and unnamed.)  All sing, dance, and move.  There are some small solos; from one line to a whole verse.  Songs:  Once in the Highlands, Brigadoon, Down on MacConnaghy Square, I'll Go Home with Bonnie Jean, Jeannie's Packing Up, background vocals on many other songs. There are several small solos, and lots of four-part choral singing.  Stage ages 13 and up.
Featured male and female dancers will also be Townspeople, expected to sing in the ensemble.  Dancers will be featured individually and in groups.  Major group dances:  Bonnie Jean, Come to Me (girls), Wedding Dance, Sword Dance (boys), Reel, Country Dances, My Mother's Wedding Day. Stage ages 13 and up.

Please Note: If you are checking out scenes from Brigadoon on You Tube, try to select high school or community theater versions.  While these may good or bad, they will be more accurate representations of what we will be doing.  The movie is lovely, but different, and several of the songs were cut from the film.


Any questions?  Any conflicts with the audition times? Contact Patricia Jacob at pattyjacob@myfairpoint.net

 
 

Production Team

Director:
Patricia Jacob

Producer:
Tess Romeo Martin

Choreographer:
Nichole Lefaivre-Damon

 

NOTES ABOUT AUDITIONS:

*  Attend either day

*  Please bring your calendar with you to note schedule conflicts!

*  Please arrive between 12:30 and 1:00pm to fill out paperwork. Auditions start at 1:00pm SHARP

*  No appointment necessary

*  Wear clothes and shoes you can move in/dance in

*  No need to bring prepared material; the singing and dancing pieces will be taught in workshops at auditions, and readings from the script will be used.  Visit this page for any updates in advance of auditions.  

 

NOTES ABOUT REHEARSAL SCHEDULE:

*  Expect 2-3 rehearsals per week in May, and 3-4 rehearsals per week in June & July, leading up to the shows.  

*  Expect 2-3 weeknight rehearsals and 1 weekend rehearsal per week.

*  Not all castmembers will be required to be at every rehearsal - we value your volunteer time!!