Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"...The singing generally is very strong: Hunt booms out the ballads and Jennie Sophia, the young actress playing Fiona, is very sweet and charming, a few minor vocal wobbles notwithstanding. Maggie Portman, who plays the comic Meg Brockie, greatly enlivens the proceedings whenever she appears and the vocal work from the ensemble is first rate. Lerner and Loewe's songs waft from the stage with such timeless potency that you find yourself, well, vowing to take the high road some time soon."
Chicago Sun Times - Recommended
"...The current revival, directed and choreographed by Rudy Hogenmiller, is beautifully sung, with a large orchestra under Roger L. Bingaman’s direction giving it a deservedly lush sound. But while Hogenmiller’s choreography is first-rate, his direction has a rather wooden, strictly by-the-book quality. It’s not that some radical rethinking of this classic show is needed, but even a slightly more contemporary approach to the sharply written scenes would make it feel fresher."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...Robert Hunt nails the ballad “There But for You Go.” But time is running out for Brigadoon as the town comes to life just one day every 100 years. The Scottish mythical fable has rules that only love can makes exceptions with as the charming villagers struggle to maintain their existence and live within the magic rules. Can true love lead to an outsider becoming a villager in Brigadoon? Come to Cahn Auditorium to see a lush, lovely and lively Light Opera Works production of Brigadoon. You’ll see and hear the entire score without any cuts and you’ll witness expert dance numbers filled with grace and charm. This wonderful show is in good hands with Rudy Hogenmiller and the creatives at Light Opera Works. The full 24 member orchestra nimbly presents Loewe’s haunting score. It is so refreshing to see classic shows like Brigadoon done exactly like the original productions. This is a fabulous show worthy of an audience."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Highly Recommended
"...Bobby Johnson and Erin Clyne are dynamic dance standouts, with Jerry M. Miller's kindly Mr. Lundie lending the appropriate benevolence as the town's schoolmaster. Tommy wonders why people have to lose something they love before they know how much they want it. Don't make that mistake and miss the chance to enjoy and appreciate a classic Broadway musical just as its creators envisioned it over six decades ago. "Brigadoon" is ample proof that they don't make them like they used to anymore. The wonder that Light Opera Works is able to pull off a production of this superior quality in today's time and economy truly is miraculous."
Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Highly Recommended
"...
this BRIGADOON infatuates as vibrant entertainment. It inspires with fervent relational conviction. It enchants with a high lovability factor. But beware! As the mist is in the gloaming, this BRIGADOON will disappear in a week."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...The music in this show is memorable as well. “I’ll Go Home With Bonnie Jean” ( beautifully done by Brandon Moorhead as Charley),”Almost Like Being in Love” ( a duet by leads Robert Hunt as Tommyand Jennie Sophia as Fiona),”"From This Day On” ( another duet by this couple) and of course the title song “Brigadoon” handled by the entire cast. There is also the very robust “The Love of My Life” ( handled by the always reliable Maggie Portman who commands the stage when she is on it). The orchestra, conducted by Roger L. Bingaman is as always solid and fills the Cahn Auditorium in Evanston with perfection in music. Matthew Owens brings the Scottish touch with his marvelous bagpipe playing adding something very special to this production."
Chicago Theater Beat - Highly Recommended
"...Kudos also to Ricky Lurie’s completely convincing Scottish/folk/18th century costumes, accurate to the occasion and even to the clan. Nick Mozak’s simple set, a glen with a mountain backdrop that efficiently allows the town to materialize from the mists, is playfully lit by Charles Jolls – the village fair or the girls’ dance to “Come to Me” resemble one of Watteau’s fetes champetres. You can’t wait another 100 years to see this too-transient “Brigadoon,” a dream musical to utterly entrance the summer of 2011."
