Monday, July 25, 2005

Review - Catch Foothill's delightful 'Brigadoon' before it fades away

Inside Bay Area - Bay Area Living

N TERMS of musical theater history, Lerner and Loewe's first Broadway success, the 1947 "Brigadoon," doesn't rate too high. But in the hands of director Jay Manley and his Foothill Music Theatre, it is a fun revival of a sugar-sweet fantasy love story.

A lot of this is because of the supercharged choreography by Tyler Risk and the talented dancers who execute it. Add to this an inspired casting of singing actors and the show that opened last weekend at the Smithwick Theatre at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills is another Jay Manley winner.

The plot is taken from an old German fantasy about a village that falls under a spell and comes to life only one day every 100 years. Two New Yorkers happen to blunder onto the scene at the most recent appearance of the village.

The culture and the clothing (costume design by Janis Bergmann) have not changed in the intervening centuries and Tommy Albright (Tim Reynolds) and Jeff Douglas (Ray Renati) soon realize they are in a time out of joint.

Of course, complications set in: Tommy falls madly in love with Fiona MacLaren (Michele C. Johnston), whose sister Jean (Lisa Schwebke) is being married that very day to dashing Charlie Dalrymple.

Meanwhile, Meg Brockie (Karen DeHart) has set her cap for Jeff and Jean's ex-boyfriend Harry Beaton (Steve Edlund) is jealously threatening to leave the village and, thereby, destroy the magic charm that keeps it suspended in time.

Of course, Tommy is faced with a dilemma or there wouldn't be a play. Should he remain in this neverland throughout eternity with the greatest love of his life or return to his fiance and the modern day world of New York City? Come to Foothill College and find out.

This is the fantasy upon which is hung some great Scottish dance steps and memorable tunes such as "Heather on the Hill," "Come to Me, Bend to Me," the catchy "My Mother's Weddin' Day," the beautiful "There But For You Go I" and the immortal "Almost Like Being in Love."

There is excellent singing in this show. As the two lovers, Johnston has a beautifully lyrical musical theater voice that is very well matched by a powerful Reynolds. And DeHart is impossibly cute as irrepressible Meg Brockie.

Matthew Brandon Hutchens, as the macho bridegroom Charlie Dalrymple, has matured from his enthusiastic teenage chorus dancing days to a level of acting and singing that, combined with his athletic dancing, lights up the stage whenever he appears. We may some day be saying, "We knew him when..."

John Musgrave, as the highly respected village elder Mr. Lundie, reinforces my opinion that he is among the most professional of the Bay Area's character actors, with an astonishing range of stage personalities.

"Brigadoon" doesn't come around too often, so this is your chance to catch it while you can.

Keith Kreitman is a freelance writer. You can reach him by calling (650) 348-4327 or by e-mail at Rainykeith@aol.com.




Friday, July 22, 2005

BRIGADOON 2 for 1 Ticket Offer!





Artsopolis Weekly eSavers: "Brigadoon

Foothill Music Theatre

The masters of musical theatre, Lerner and Loewe My Fair Lady, created one of the world's most beloved musicals in Brigadoon. Set in the Scottish Highlands, Brigadoon is a magical tale of time travel and the enduring power of love. Its memorable score includes classics, such as The Heather on the Hill and Almost Like Being in Love. Award-winning Foothill Music Theatre has assembled a stellar cast of 50 singers, dancers and actors for this full-scale production, which will be accompanied by a full, live orchestra and all new settings and costumes.

Location: Smithwick Theater - Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
Parking: Free parking in lots 1 and 5.
Offer Date(s) & Time(s):
Thursday, July 28, 2005, 8pm
Ticket Price(s):

Regular Price = $24
Your eSavers Price = 2 for 1
Ticket Contact Info:
Call: 650-949-7414. Advance orders only, please. No Walkups.
Use Promotion Code:
Artsopolis"

Sunday, July 17, 2005

ESPN.com - OLY/TDF2005 - Lance retains lead as mate Hincapie wins stage

This has nothing to do with the theatre, but I have to mention since I am a huge cycling fan. Hincapie finally gets that chance to show what he's made of in the Tour. Maybe next year, Discovery will let him be the team leader. What a way to win - at the top of the Saint-Lary-Soulan, one of the legendary finishes of the Tour de France. Bravo Georgie!!!

ESPN.com - OLY/TDF2005 - Lance retains lead as mate Hincapie wins stage: "Hincapie wins hardest stage of Tour in Pyrenees
Associated Press

SAINT-LARY-SOULAN, France -- Lance Armstrong kept his overall lead and teammate George Hincapie won the 15th stage of the Tour de France on Sunday, the hardest day of climbing in the Pyrenees.

The two friends beamed as they hugged each other after Armstrong finished more than five minutes behind his teammate. Armstrong gave a thumbs-up in reaction to the first stage win by one of his teammates since 1999.

'This is a dream for me,' Hincapie said.

Armstrong called it a 'perfect day.'

'He is my biggest guy, my biggest friend on the team,' the Texan said of Hincapie, the only teammate to be with Armstrong for all six of his Tour victories. They have known each other since they were teenagers.

Armstrong finished with Italian Ivan Basso, who jumped to second in the overall standings, but still trails the American by 2 minutes and 46 seconds. Mickael Rasmussen of Denmark fell back to third overall, now 3:09 behind Armstrong.

Jan Ullrich of Germany struggled on the final climb and now trails Armstrong by 5:58.

Hincapie was part of a group of riders that broke away from the main pack early in the sun-baked 127.7-mile stage from Lezat-sur-Leze to the ski station of Saint-Lary Soulan.

Hincapie and Oscar Pereiro fought for the victory alone on the final climb. The tall, genial New Yorker beat the Spaniard with a sprint finish, shaking his head in disbelief as he crossed the line."

Thursday, July 14, 2005

MercuryNews.com | 07/14/2005 | Stephen Edlund

MercuryNews.com | 07/14/2005 | Stephen Edlund

Disocount on BRIGADOON Tickets

July 14, 2005

Hi Foothill patron:

Time flies, and "Brigadoon" is set to open one week from tomorrow on July 22nd.

If you haven't been checking out the blog, now's the time. We're posting lots of pictures from rehearsals, telling lots of stories and introducing you to the cast and staff. We're even giving you a peek at what Briga-dudes wear under their kilts!

And of course we're offering a $3/ticket discount to all blog readers when you order online via TicketWeb. Get the code and the link to TicketWeb here:

"Brigadoon" is a Lerner & Loewe classic musical, featuring both beautiful romantic songs and some exciting, athletic dancing, both dramatic tension and comic relief. And it hasn't been done much in this area lately. Remind yourself why it's part of the golden era of Broadway.

And take a peek backstage at our blog:

Best regards,
E

Elisa Camahort
Worker Bees: Buzz Marketing & More
See our new 'Site of the Week' every Friday at: http://www.workerbees.biz


You have received this email because you provided your email address to the Foothill College Theatre Dept or to Foothill Music Theatre. If you wish to be removed from future Foothill College Theatre Dept. or Foothill Music Theatre mailings please reply to this email with the word "unsubscribe" in the Subject Line. Please note: we are merging two different lists and sincerely hope we eliminated all duplicates and caught all unsub requests from both lists. Again, please just reply and "unsubscribe" if you are receiving this in error.

JOSEPH at Broadway By the Bay


Robbie who is playing Joseph was LITTLE BROTHER last year in RAGTIME at Foothill. He has a voice from heaven and he can act with the best. It should be a great show.
Broadway By the Bay

Sunday, July 10, 2005

THE GOAT, OR WHO IS SYLVIA? at American Conservatory Theater - ACT San Francisco


Last night we sat in the front row at the Geary and watched THE GOAT, OR WHO IS SYLVIA?. Albee is at his best here. He challenges our assumptions about who we are and what we choose. He makes us realize that at any moment chaos can strike in our lives. How we deal with it, in Albee's world, makes for riveting, disturbing and ultimately enlightening theatre. The play is a modern day heroic study. It is a MUST SEE, but not for the squeamish.
American Conservatory Theater - ACT San Francisco