The play follows the journey of two American young men who get lost while vacationing in the highlands of Scotland.
While lost, they discover the beautiful village of Brigadoon.
"It seems to be from a different age, and they soon discover that it literally is," said director Linda Baker. Brigadoon exists only one day in each 100 years. Brigadoon's inhabitants live their lives normally, but when they wake up each morning, 100 years have passed in the outside world.
Brigadoon's residents are content with the arrangement, but a wrench is thrown into things when American visitor Tommy, played by Alfonso Martinez, falls in love with a young Brigadoon lassie, Fiona, played by Haylee Steffan.
"Brigadoon" was the first Broadway hit by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe, the duo that went on to create "Paint Your Wagon," "My Fair Lady" and "Camelot."
Songs include, "It's Almost Like Being in Love," "There But for Love Go I," "Come to Me, Bend to Me" and "The Heather on the Hill."
This is the third time "Brigadoon" has been performed by the McNary High School Performing Arts Department.
Ken Collins directed the show in the school's now-demolished "Little Theatre" in 1984, and Baker produced it in the current theater in 1997.
Baker chose to revisit the show, she said, "because it is such a rich, wonderful story. It has bright and appealing music, a number of strong characters and a really exciting vein of humor."
Students were excited to have the chance to perform the classic musical comedy.
"Anyone who has been involved in 'Brigadoon' will tell you it's their favorite show," said Steffan, a senior. "There's something magical about it. It's different."
Steffan played the leading role of Annie Oakley in last year's "Annie Get Your Gun."
She said she liked the complexity of Fiona's character.
"Fiona is strong and smart. She knows what she wants and won't settle for second best," Steffan said. But, "she's still a girl. She still wants to be in love."
Steffan, as well as some of the other leading actors, have studied privately with voice instructors to prepare musically for the production.
Principle cast members include Steffan, Alfonso Martinez, Michael Bradshaw, Brian Becktel, Cory Sullivan, Brian Williams, Marcus Ladue-Pellico, Cresslyn Suthard, Josh Koller, Libby Palmer, Kory Klopp, Kayla Bergren, Sam Dooley, Darren Bien, Nakonsy Truong and Jessie Wick.
The 60-member cast's levels of experience range from beginner to veteran.
Steffan said she became involved in theater starting in third grade. Others have just begun their theater experience.
Junior Darren Bien, who plays Stuart MacLaren, Brigadoon's ale merchant, is in his first production at McNary, although he has sung in choir for years.
"Here you are working with some of the best. It's very competitive," he said, adding that the experience has been "amazing," and he hopes to continue with theater next year.
"Anything with music," he said.
Cresslyn Suthard, a junior, plays Jean MacLaren, a Brigadoon lassie who is about to get married.
It is Suthard's first principle role, although she was in the chorus last year.
She also is planning to try out Shakespeare and has a role in the upcoming "The Tempest."
As a longtime dancer, Suthard appreciates the chance "Brigadoon" affords her to use a variety of performing skills.
"I do love working on a musical because it has acting, singing and dancing," she said.
The production is a collaboration of departments and skill sets, with actors many of whom also dance and sing, a stage crew and 22-student orchestra.
"I really enjoy musical theater because it gives you a sense of purpose," said senior Sam Dooley, who plays Mr. Lundie, the village schoolmaster. "There's a sense of joy in helping the audience create something in their mind so extremely imaginative."
Steffan thinks some of the magic of Brigadoon is the combination of humor with a serious theme.
She thinks the message is summed up by a line Mr. Lundie says:
"It's the hardest thing in the world to give everything. Though it's usually the only way to get everything."
"That's it," she said.
