Brigadoon
The mystery and beauty of the Scottish Highlands is the backdrop for Lerner and Loewe’s magical tale about following your heart and the power of love.
Show Essentials
18
Roles
+ Ensemble
PG
Rated
2
Acts

Full Synopsis

Act One

Tommy Albright and Jeff Douglas from New York are hunting on vacation in the Sottish Highlands and get lost on their first night out. In the distance they hear eery music from a nearby town ("Brigadoon"). They follow the music and discover a fair with the townspeople in traditional Scottish garb ("McConnachy Square"). The MacLaren family, Andrew and his two daughters Jean and Fiona, arrive to purchase wedding supplies for Jean's wedding to Charlie Dalrymple. The thought of Jean marrying anyone other than him devastates Harry Beaton, who dismisses devotion from other ladies. Jean's older sister, Fiona, however, has no interest in rusing into marriage ("Waitin' For My Dearie"). 

Tommy and Jeff join the MacLaren's for a meal at their home, where the dairymaid Meg Brockie instantly takes a shine to Jeff. Jean's fiancé, Charlie, enthusiastically arrives, ecstatic at his upcoming nuptials ("Go Home with Bonnie Jean"). Though Tommy is engaged back home in New York, he shares a romantic morning with Fiona ("The Heather on the Hill"). Meg continues to pursue Jeff, who would rather nap ("The Love of My Life"). 

Jean and friends prepare for her new life ("Jeannie's Packin' Up"), while Charlie yearns for a glimpse of his love from outside ("Come to Me, Bend to Me"). Jeff arrives in traditional Highland trousers after his were damaged and Tommy cannot contain his excitement of meeting Fiona ("Almost Like Being In Love"). Tommy discovers something odd in the MacLaren family bible, all the dates listed are 200 years old.

Fiona sends him to the school master, Mr. Lundie, who explains the town of Brigadoon magically remains hidden except for one day every one hundred years to keep the town unchanged from the outdoor world. The townsfolk are forbidden to ever leave, lest the entire town disappear forever. Tommy inquires if an outside could remain in Brigadoon, and Mr. Lundie tells him through love, anything is possible. 

A grand processional begins the wedding. Charlie and Jean are married, and a traditional wedding dance follows featuring sword dancing led by Harry Beaton. The dance halts when Harry attempts to kiss Jean. Unable to be with the woman he loves, Harry  swears he will leave Brigadoon, end the magic and Brigadoon will disappear forever. 

Act Two

A frantic search for Harry by the men of the town ensues ("The Chase"). A loud scream is heard and Harry is discovered dead after falling on a rock. The men decide not tell the rest of the town until the following morning. Tommy sees Fiona and the two declare their mutual love ("There But For You Go I"). Tommy decides to find Mr. Lundie, so he can stay in Brigadoon with Fiona. 

In the village, Meg entertains the townsfolk with a story of when her parents were married ("My Mother's Wedding Day"). The reveling is interrupted by Archie Beacon arrives with his son's body, Harry. Harries unrequited love, Maggie, performs a funeral dance for him as they carry Harry to his burial. 

Jeff denounces Tommy's plans to stay in Brigadoon, and also confesses to accidentally tripping Harry, thus killing him. Tommy tells Fiona he loves her, but cannot stay in Brigadoon ("From This Day On"). She expresses her love once more as she fades away into darkness. 

Four months later, Tommy still cannot stop thinking of Fiona and Brigadoon. He tells his beautiful fiancé, Jane Ashton, that he cannot marry her (reprises of “Come to Me, Bend to Me,” “Heather on the Hill,” “Bonnie Jean,” and "From This Day On"). 

Tommy and Jeff return to where the first discovered Brigadoon and are devastated to find nothing there. As they begin to leave, they hear a faint hint of music and Mr. Lundie appears. He invites Tommy to stay, reminding him how with love, anything is possible. Tommy waves goodbye to Jeff as he fades away to remain in Brigadoon. 

 

Casting
← Back to Brigadoon
Cast Size: Large (21 or more performers)
Cast Type: Ensemble Cast
Dance Requirements: Standard

Character Breakdown

Andrew MacLaren

Fiona and Jean's sincere yet grandiose father. In his 50's with a rough, loud voice and pompous side.  

Gender: male
Age: 50 to 60
Angus MacGuffie

A dairy seller at McConnachy Square with Meg. 

Gender: male
Age: 30 to 40
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: E3
Archie Beaton

A kind Scot who sells fabrics. 

Gender: male
Charlie Dalrymple

Jean's fiance.

Gender: male
Age: 20 to 30
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: D3
Fiona MacLaren

A lovely and frank young woman. Very intelligent.

Gender: female
Age: 20 to 25
Vocal range top: A5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Frank

A New York bartender. 

Gender: male
Age: 30 to 50
Harry Beaton

The sensitive son of Archie. 

Gender: male
Age: 20 to 24
Jane Ashton

Tommy's attractive fiance in New York. Glamourous and slightly severe. 

Gender: female
Age: 25 to 30
Jean MacLaren

Andrew's shy daughter and Charlie's betrothed. 

Gender: female
Age: 18 to 24
Jeff Douglas

Good natured and soon to be retired. 

Gender: male
Age: 30 to 40
Kate

Jean's friend. 

Gender: female
Age: 18 to 24
Meg Brockie

Sells dairy with Angus at MacConnachy Square. 

Gender: female
Age: 30 to 40
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Mr. Lundie

The kind school master of Brigadoon with a strong accent that is always understood. 

Gender: male
Age: 55 to 65
Stuart Dalrymple

Sells clothes in McConnachy Square.

Gender: male
Age: 30 to 40
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: D3
Tommy Albright

An attractive man with a certain machismo, yet with a sensitive side. 

Gender: male
Age: 25 to 35
Vocal range top: F#4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
Maggie Anderson

Dancing role, smitten with Harry Beaton. 

Gender: female
Age: 20 to 30
Sandy Dean

Candy seller in MacConnachy Square. 

Gender: male
Age: 30 to 50
Vocal range top: D4
Vocal range bottom: G2
MacGregor

Salted-meat seller in MacConnachy Square. 

Gender: male
Age: 30 to 50
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: Eb3
Ensemble

Market sellers, sword dancers, bagpipers, townsfolk. 

Gender: any
Full Song List
Brigadoon: Brigadoon
Brigadoon: Down in MacConnachy Square
Brigadoon: Waitin' for My Dearie
Brigadoon: I'll Go Home with Bonnie Jean
Brigadoon: The Heather on the Hill
Brigadoon: The Love of My Life
Brigadoon: Jeannie's Packing Up
Brigadoon: Come to Me, Bend to Me
Brigadoon: Almost Like Being in Love
Brigadoon: The Chase
Brigadoon: There But For You Go I
Brigadoon: My Mother's Wedding Day
Brigadoon: From This Day On / Farewell Music
Brigadoon, Lerner And Loewe's: Reprises
Brigadoon, Lerner And Loewe's: Finale

Show History

Inspiration

Having collaborated three times already with various levels of success, Lerner and Loewe hoped to create a musical that captured the magic and mystery of of love, and rival the successes of other contemporary composers. Though various ancient folklore alludes to 'disappearing towns,' Alan Jay Lerner denied these tales as inspiration for Brigadoon, calling the similarities 'unconscious coincidence.'

Productions

Brigadoon opened on Broadway at the Ziegfeld Theatre, New York, March 13, 1947 and played for 581 performances. The show ran for 685 performances in London at His Majesty’s Theatre. It has been revived on Broadway several times, including in 1980 at the Majestic Theatre.

A major production was produced at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago in 2014. 

Tony® Award

1947 - Best Choreography, Winner (Agnes De Mille)

Billing

Requirements

You must give the authors/creators billing credits, as specified in the Licence Agreement, in a conspicuous manner on the first page of credits in all programs and on house-boards, displays and in all other advertising announcements of any kind. You agree to supply to the Licensor full details of all such material for Licensor’s approval prior to printing and distribution and supply two (2) copies of the program after printing.
Percentages listed indicate required type size in relation to title size.
Lerner and Loewe's
(75%)
 
BRIGADOON

(100%)

Book and Lyrics by
ALAN JAY LERNER
(75%)
Music by 
FREDERICK LOEWE
(75%)
 
Original dances created by Agnes DeMille
(50%)
 
Such credits for all purposes shall be in a type size equal to that of any other credits except for those of the producer and star(s) above the title. The credit for the authors shall be in a type size at least 75 percent of the size of the title of the play; and wherever the name of one of the authors appears, the other name(s) shall also appear. In the programs, the credits shall appear on the title page thereof.
The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited

Included Materials

ItemQuantity Included
LIBRETTO/VOCAL BOOK32
PIANO VOCAL SCORE2

Production Resources

Resource
CUSTOMIZABLE SHOW POSTER
FULL SCORE VOL 1 OF 3
FULL SCORE VOL 2 OF 3
FULL SCORE VOL 3 OF 3
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON-10/CS
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON?
LOGO PACK DIGITAL
PRODUCTIONPRO-DIGITAL SCRIPT/SCORE
REFERENCE RECORDING
REHEARSAL ACCOMPANIMENT RECORDING
STAGE MANAGER SCRIPT
STAGE WRITE APPLICATION
PERFORMANCE ACCOMPANIMENT RECORDING

STANDARD ORCHESTRATION

InstrumentationDoubling
BASSACOUSTIC BASS
CELLO(2 PLAYER MINIMUM)
HORN
PERCUSSIONBASS DRUM , BELLS , CHIMES , CYMBALS , FIELD DRUM , SNARE DRUM , TEMPLE BLOCKS , TIMPANI , TOM TOM
PIANOCELESTE , PIANO
REED 1FLUTE , PICCOLO
REED 2OBOE
REED 3CLARINET
REED 4CLARINET
REED 5BASSOON
TROMBONE
TRUMPET
TRUMPET 3
VIOLA(2 PLAYER MINIMUM)
VIOLIN(2 PLAYER MINIMUM)
VIOLIN 2(2 PLAYER MINIMUM)