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'Brigadoon' Will Take Center Stage

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By GEORGE H. NEWMAN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 16, 2008

PLANT CITY - Plant City Entertainment's presentation of its summer musical, "Brigadoon," an award-winning Broadway play, opens Friday at the Cornerstone Center.

The two-act play was first performed on Broadway March 13, 1947, and has subsequently won awards as a play, television and cinema performance. Plant City Entertainment will perform "Brigadoon" five times through July 26 at Cornerstone, 315 N. Collins St.

"The Cornerstone Center is the perfect venue for community theater," said the play's director, Jennifer Jackson. "The stage can accommodate the large cast performing in this play and the audience has a great view of the entire production."

Plant City Entertainment spokeswoman Shirley Outen said she is excited about the local production of "Brigadoon."

"The play has been well received on Broadway, in Hollywood and as a television production," Outen said. "Not many community theater production companies can handle the challenges associated with this classic musical. We have over 50 members in the cast. The musicians include a string quartet, piano and pipe organ and a bagpiper skilled enough to make it work like a dream."

The play is set in Scotland, where two weary American hunters from New York lose their way, Outen said. "When the play begins the two New Yorkers are contemplating their situation, concerned about the predicament they are in. As the early morning mist begins to lift they see the village of Brigadoon. Unknown to them it is a village which awakens for only one day in each century."

Jackson has 28 years' experience in community theater in Plant City and has been directing for 24 of those years, Outen said.

"Jennifer is one of several who were instrumental in making community theater successful and continuous in our area," Outen said. "She wasn't alone, but she never gave up when others stepped back. Who knows where we would be without her."

Outen said Plant City Entertainment is like an extended family.

"Community theater is like a world of its own," she said. "There is compassion, a camaraderie and a real affection among the players. You'll see that portrayed during their performances in "Brigadoon."

Retired family physician Hal "Doc" Brewer, one of the leading cast members, along with Justin Batten, Van Frost, Jennifer Morgan, Clint Shepherd, Lesley Ives, Ed Mason, Joe Osborn and others, said the show is a conglomeration of talent, young and old.

"Van Frost is the drama teacher at Plant City High," Brewer said. "Ed Mason holds the same position at Durant High School. They brought students from both high schools to perform with us in 'Brigadoon.' They all do a great job and bring youth and vitality to the play that sparks all of the performers."

The first Broadway production of "Brigadoon" was directed by Robert Lewis and choreographed by Agnes de Mille. It opened at the Ziegfeld Theatre, where it ran for 581 performances. De Mille won the Tony Award for best choreography, and performers Marion Bell and James Mitchell won the Theatre World Award.

The production played on Broadway five times into the 1980s.

In 1954 a film version was directed by Vincente Minnelli. The MGM release starred Gene Kelly, Van Johnson and Cyd Charisse.

A 1966 television version, shown on ABC, won five Emmy awards. This television version starred Robert Goulet, Peter Falk, Sally Ann Howes and Finlay Currie.

Outen said 66 people auditioned for parts in the show. The cast is made up of 19 main characters, eight members in the male ensemble, 19 in the female ensemble, and five more in the children's ensemble.

The musicians include Ann Wood on piano, Susan Miller on viola, Emily Trogolo, first violin, and Kelly Jones on second violin and cello. Greg Nicolosi is on the bagpipes, with Roy Holton on the keyboard and pipe organ.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Plant City Entertainment presents the musical "Brigadoon."

WHERE: Cornerstone Center, 315 N. Collins St., Plant City, former location of First Baptist Church of Plant City

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, July 25 and 26. Curtain goes up at 8 p.m. except for the Sunday show, which will be a 2 p.m. matinee.

TICKETS: $10, $8 for 55 and older and students through 12th grade. Tickets are available in advance at Hardee's Fashions, 1501 N. Wheeler St. in Plant City, or at the door if available.

INFORMATION: (813) 754-4929

Reporter George H. Newman can be reached at (813) 865-4451 or gnewman@tampatrib.com.

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