Palm Canyon’s Production of Brigadoon

—By June August

Alan Jay Lerner’s and Frederick Loewe’s fourth collaboration, BRIGADOON, is the first production of Palm Canyon Theatre’s (PCT’s) 2023-24 season. It will play at PCT for one more weekend, from Thursday, September 21st through Sunday, September 24th.

BRIGADOON, which opened on Broadway in 1947, incorporates the Celtic words for Bridge over the River Doon (Brig O' Doon), in Scotland. The show's book is based on the legend of a fictional, enchanted village in the Scottish Highlands, invisible to the outside world except for one day every hundred years, when it emerges, unchanged, from the mist.

Director Michael Pacas makes ingenious use of the venue by having the large cast of villagers seem to appear from everywhere after they wake up; to them, it is simply the next day. Jaci Davis' lively music accompanies them as they gather in MacConnachy Square, picking up where they left off a century before, not realizing that one hundred years have passed. But, the unexpected arrival of two anachronistic Americans quickly captures their attention.

The music is a key aspect of any production of BRIGADOON. "Come to Me, Bend to Me" is a favorite of mine, especially when sung by a talented tenor. LT Cousineau (playing Charlie Dalrymple) sang a rendition that almost brought tears to my eyes. The duet "Almost Like Being in Love," by Se Layne (Fiona) and Paul Grant (Tommy), is unforgettable. Derik Shopinski’s own solo as Harry Beaton was appropriately sinister. Wearing one of his other hats, he created charming choreography for Brandy Valentine (Jean MacLaren), We're seeing more of the technique in theaters everywhere of using projections as a way to control production costs. J.W. Layne's use of lighting and the projections on a simple background successfully creates the illusion of multiple sets.

My biggest complaint about the production is my struggle to understand some of the words, even though I know the story. Any production requiring the use of accents faces a challenge for the actors. To American audiences, the lilt and pronunciation of the Scottish brogue may be particularly unfamiliar. I would caution those who strive for authenticity to do more than just practice the accent; reproducing the sounds accurately requires research, some of which is available on YouTube. Beyond practice, using the accent during the show for dialogue and lyrics is a responsibility. In BRIGADOON, making sure that the audience understands the performers’ relating of the legend’s story is essential. So I encourage the actors to speak up and to speak more clearly. My other criticisms include sound system problems and pacing issues, although some of those may have improved after opening night.

The 45-member cast includes, among others, Paul Grant as Tommy Albright, Se Layne as Fiona MacLaren, Luke Rainey as Jeff Douglas, and Dani Jara Lesaca as Meg Brockie. Additional cast members include LT Cousineau as Charlie Dalrymple, Donald Kelley as Mr. Lundie, Brandy Valentine as Jen MacLaren, Derik Shopinski as Harry Beaton, and Alison Logan as Maggie Anderson. The show is directed by Michael Pacas, with Musical Direction by Jaci Davis, Choreography and Costume Design by Derik Shopinski, Lighting Design by J.W. Layne, Set Design by Toby Griffin, and Projections by Nick Edwards.

Even if you've seen Brigadoon on stage or screen, the current production gives you a chance to enjoy it again. The last four performances are on Thursday, September 21st at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday, September 22nd and 23rd at 8 p.m., and Sunday, September 24th at 2:00 p.m. Ticket prices are $38 for most adults, $34 for seniors, and $17 for students and children. (For non-musicals, prices are $32 for adults and senior and $17 for students and children). For tickets, call 760-323-5123 or visit https://ci.ovationtix.com/36239/production/1161187. The theater is located at 538 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262, between N. Palm Canyon Drive and Indian Canyon Drive, on the north side of E. Alejo Road.

The rest of the 2023-24 season consists of:

STEEL MAGNOLIAS (Oct 6 - 15, 2023)

RENT (Oct 27 - Nov 12, 2023)

ELF (Dec 1 – 17, 2023)

SORDID LIVES (Jan 19 – 28, 2024)

SOMETHING ROTTEN! (Feb 9-25, 2024)

SWEENEY TODD (Mar 8 – 24, 2024)

THE BOYS IN THE BAND (Apr 12 – 21, 2024)

THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA (May 10 -19, 2024)

BYE BYE BIRDIE (July 5-14, 2024)

Photo Credit: Sonny Von Cleveland Photography