Brigadoon - New York City Center 2017 Cast Recording

The classic musical "Brigadoon" proved a huge hit when it made its Broadway debut in 1947. Additionally, the romantic tale of a mythological town in Scotland that appears only once a century had a number of noted revivals in the mid-20th century but had lied relatively dormant as of late, before the New York City Center presented a tremendously well-received production as part of its famed Encores! series last year, to commemorate the seventieth anniversary of its original production.

With book and lyrics by Alan Lerner and a luscious score by Frederick Loewe, "Brigadoon" proved to be the success that would truly raise the duo into the pantheon of famed Broadway writers, and would steer them on course to write the masterpieces "Camelot" and "My Fair Lady." The perfect combination of a musical theater story with an opera sensibility, this production of "Brigadoon" gathered together the ideal performers to guide the telling of its tale: Stephanie J. Block, Patrick Wilson, and Kelli O'Hara. Now the cast recording is available from Ghostlight Records.

Movie veteran Patrick Wilson ("The Conjuring" and the upcoming "Aquaman") plays Tommy Albright, a weary American who finds himself lost in the Scottish highlands with his best friend, Jeff (Aasif Mandvi), when they come upon Brigadoon and find themselves in the company of two of its townspeople, Fiona (O'Hara) and Meg (Block).

The score to "Brigadoon" contains several staples of the musical theater canon, and the cast brings a freshness to Loewe's score that should garner renewed interest in future performances of the piece. Tony-award winner, O'Hara (for the recent revival of "The King and I") has proven herself a nimble navigator of traditional musical fare, and this role adds another feather in her cap, particularly with her renditions of "Waitin' For My Dearie" and her duet with Wilson on the iconic "Almost Like Being in Love." But Wilson more than holds his own with his co-star and his deliveries on "There But For You Go I" and "The Heather on the Hill" should garner some crossover fans of his film work. Block heightens the entertainment factor on her version of "My Mother's Wedding Day" and her contributions throughout the score.

The most passionate musical aficionado will not only enjoy the vocal performances but will appreciate The Encores! Orchestra under the reliable baton of Rob Berman, and their contributions of all the dance music from the show included on this album. This is just one of the many attributes that make this latest recording of "Brigadoon" worth the purchase or download.

"Lerner & Loewe's Brigadoon - New York City Center 2017 Cast Recording"
$15.01 ($11.49 for the MP3)
CD and digital formats
www.ghostlightrecords.com