The theatre and symphony partnership is back for the event of the year! For one night only, the Department of Theatre and Dance, in conjunction with the Springfield Symphony, is performing the exciting Brigadoon in Concert! This concert version of the Broadway classic, directed by Robert Westenberg, will feature a plethora of Scottish song, highland dances, and talent all around that is just waiting to be seen.
Read below to get the scoop on all things Brigadoon!
To start, we emailed the show’s choreographer, Sarah Wilcoxon, and asked, “How has this symphony version been different in comparison to a typical musical production?” “We aren’t doing any full scenes, so we are relying on music and dance exclusively to tell the story.” After, when asked about her favorite part of this rehearsal process, she told us, “I am happy to be working with a dance ensemble and choreographing partnering again. What I love most about any creative process is the energy of the group, how we can do more as a team or in a partnership than we can alone. The early days of the pandemic took my favorite part of the process out of the equation, but I am so happy to have it back. Also, Brigadoon is a very ballet-based show. My roots are in ballet, but I haven’t had a lot of opportunity to choreograph in that style. It’s been fun.”
We followed up with musical theatre students Hayden Hart and Katie Krasovec, who play leading characters Tommy and Fiona. First, we asked Hayden what it was like collaborating with a full symphony orchestra- he stated, “Working with a symphony is amazing. I was lucky enough to work with the symphony two years ago during Oklahoma, and it is such a special experience. Being able to hear these classic songs the way they were meant to sound is an experience that cannot be replaced. It’s beautiful.” Then, we asked Katie for one of her favorite lines from the show; “My favorite line that I speak from the show is ‘I think real loneliness is not being in love is vain, but not being in love at all,’ as I feel like it not only speaks so clearly as to how my character feels at that moment in the show, but also how everyone can relate to the feeling of wanting to be in love, and how lonely it can feel when you do not have someone to share that feeling with.” Truly a beautiful line.
When asked why audiences should come see this show, Hayden told us, “because it’s just going to be such a delightful night of theater. The music is going to sound amazing, the dance pieces are riveting and stunning, and overall, it’s going to be an event you’d regret missing.” When we asked Katie the same question, she stated, ”
“I think audiences should come and see Brigadoon for many reasons. One, experiencing a live symphony orchestra is a life-changing experience, and this beautiful score will enhance that experience greatly. Two, the dancing that my castmates and friends do is absolutely spectacular. The choreography consists of gorgeous ballet and partnering, and a number to look out for especially is “Come to Me, Bend to Me,” which includes amazing dancing by my friends Elizabeth Drake (Jean) and Joey Myers (Charlie). Finally, the story. This musical’s main message is rooted in the power of love, and after such a challenging period of time, a trip back to live theatre to this heartfelt show would be a magical and fulfilling experience. As Sheridan Moore (Mr. Lundie) says, ‘When ye love someone deeply, anything is possible.'”
It truly is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to see a performance with a full orchestra accompaniment, so you won’t want to miss it. This one-time event will be Saturday, November 6th at 7:30pm at the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts.
Purchase your tickets here for Brigadoon in Concert, and get ready to be transported straight into the mystical hills of Scotland.
“There’s really nothing to beat that full symphony sound… Add our students’ gorgeous voices and stellar dancing and it’s just *chef’s kiss.*” -Sarah Wilcoxon