[NEohioPAL]Review: Well-Conceived Brigadoon at Porthouse

[Roy Berko]

WELL-CONCEIVED BRIGADOON CLOSES SUCCESSFUL PORTHOUSE
SEASON

Roy Berko  (Member, American Theatre Critics
Association)

The Times Newspapers--Lorain County Times--Westlaker
Times--Lakewood News Times- Olmsted-Fairview Times	


Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe are icons of
musical theatre.   Their musicals center on the theme
of the perfect place, the perfect time, the perfect
love story.  Think of CAMELOT, MY FAIR LADY, and, of
course, BRIGADOON.  

Brigadoon was the first big hit for the magical team. 
The story is based on a tale by Frederick Gerstacker. 
The original story centered on the mythical German
village of Germelshausen that fell under a magical
spell.  The play transforms the setting to a Scottish
village named Brigadoon which remains unchanging and
invisible except for one day every hundred years, when
it can be seen and visited by outsiders. Visitors
might be allowed to stay, but if any residents ever
left, the spell would be broken -- and that would be
the end of them all.   Two American tourists, Tommy
Albright and Jeff Douglas stumble upon the misty town.
Tommy soon falls in love with Fiona, a local lass, 
and must decide whether to return to the real world or
remain in Brigadoon forever.   The title comes from
the word "Brigadoonery" which describes anything that
is grotesquely Scottish-like, but well-intentioned.

The Porthouse production is very well-intentioned. 
Director Terri Kent has assembled a talented cast, has
a clear concept of where she wants the production to
go, and has created a well-conceived though slightly
flawed production.

As Tommy, Lorain County’s Raymond Ewers has Broadway
leading-man good looks and possesses a pleasant
singing voice.  He needs to sell his songs more,
stressing the meaning of the words, not just singing
them.   Mary Klaehn is enchanting as Fiona.  She has a
marvelous singing voice and develops a clear
character.  May Ann Black, a Rue McClanahan look and
act-alike, portrays Meg, the female comedy relief. 
She has a fine sense of timing, but the clever words
to her songs are often lost between the heavy brogue
and lack of crisp articulation.  Frank Kosik, as
Tommy’s friend Jeff, brings the right New Yorker touch
to the role.  Lauren Marshall and Lisa Kuhnen display
finesse in two dance solos.  Adam Day Howard’s
proficiency as a bagpiper is astounding.

Scenic Designer Raynette Halvorsen Smith’s set is
impressive, but turns out to cause problems.  It is so
massive that it leaves performers little room for
movement.  Choreographer John Crawford has conceived
some wonderful dance numbers, especially considering
the limited space with which he had to work.

Kent has done a good job of making sure that the
chorus is involved in the production.  She might,
however, urge some of the members to cut down their
distracting overacting and preplanned facial moves and
gestures.   A problem was also present in a pivotal
death scene.  Since the body is lying on the floor
within easy view, when he was pronounced dead, due to
the actor’s obviously heavy breathing after a furious
chase scene, the audience giggled.  Placing the body
on a level, or blocking him from the audience would
have eliminated this problem.  Small problems in an
otherwise audience-pleasing production.

BRIGADOON brings to an end a very impressive season at
Porthouse.  Terri Kent and her staff deserve a curtain
call for taking this Kent State University summer
project to a higher level than has been experienced in
the past.  Kudos!

Tickets for Porthouse range from $15-20, depending on
the day of the week and are available from noon to 6
pm by calling 1-800-304-2363.


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