Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...Sophia and Earley are fine as far as they go, individually, but the reality of "Brigadoon" is that you really have to pull for this unusual pair of lovers, one from our world, one from the mist. This show fails to sufficiently make that case, not least because Earley seems mostly self-contained, brooding but invulnerable. You have to believe that Fiona can fix him: Here you fear more that she will be felled by his commitment issues, with no escape for the poor lassie until the very end of time."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Oklahoma" arrived on Broadway in 1943, in the midst of World War II, and served as a rousing endorsement of America's pioneering spirit and optimism. Lerner and Loewe's "Brigadoon" debuted in 1947, just two years after the war had ended. Listen closely to the rare and radiant Goodman Theatre revival of the musical that has been so fluidly directed and choreographed by Rachel Rockwell, and you will sense something less than triumphalism."
Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended
"...In Goodman Theatre's excellent new version of Brigadoon, for which Lerner's original script has been revised by Brian Hill, the witch metaphor is discarded entirely. Here, the evil that the village avoids is very real. It's war—specifically, the 1745-'46 uprising of Scottish highlanders against the British monarchy. Hill's libretto underscores a thematic connection between the 18th-century conflict and the 20th-century world war from which Tommy has returned, disillusioned and emotionally lost. Director-choreographer Rachel Rockwell and Hill seek to make Brigadoon resonant for audiences besieged by daily news of bloodshed around the world—Israel, Iraq, Syria, Ukraine, Nigeria, central Africa—and anxious about American involvement in the endless, ever-escalating violence."
Chicagoist - Somewhat Recommended
"...Pulling double duty as the choreographer, Rockwell's revised dance scenes fare much better than the newly minted book, especially during Charlie and the townspeople's rousing "Go Home With Bonnie Jean." The show's bit of comic relief comes from Meg (Maggie Portman), a saucy Brigadoon milkmaid who brings down the house singing about her misguided attempts at love. But wholly serviceable, enjoyable musical scenes can't make up for a plot that lacks substance and true character development. Brigadoon, it seems, isn't quite ready to wake up in this century."
Time Out Chicago - Recommended
"...Brigadoon the musical seems to reappear in Chicago more like once a decade (it's been seen in 1996 at the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, 2005 at the Marriott Theatre and three years ago at Light Opera Works), but what most distinguishes the Goodman's new production is its revisions in two key areas. Though Frederick Loewe's lushly romantic score holds up gorgeously, Alan Jay Lerner's book-written from scratch, rather than adapted from another source, like Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! or Lerner and Loewe's later My Fair Lady-is often pegged in modern productions as corny and dated. The Lerner estate encouraged director Rachel Rockwell and writer Brian Hill to freshen up the book. And unlike most revivals which tend to attempt faithful recreations of Agnes de Mille's original choreography, Rockwell has created entirely new dances."
ShowBizChicago - Highly Recommended
"...The real stars of Rockwell’s Brigadoon are rightly the 2 leads, Jennie Sophia’s Fiona MacLaren (she also performed with Portman in the same role for Light Opera Works) and Kevin Early’s Tommy Albright. The two not only possess a strong chemistry with each other (crucial to the success of any production of Brigadoon) but also have truly astonishing vocal abilities and range and, when singing together, voices that blend so beautifully they make the songs, and your soul, soar. When they performed one of the most memorable songs in the show on opening night “Almost like Being in Love” they literally stopped the show for a full minute and had to wait for the applause to stop before going on (a rarity today). These are two star turns."
Chicago On the Aisle - Highly Recommended
"...The spellbound town’s a splendid circle of enchantment that ensnares us and Tommy, but its fabulous townsfolk with their big hearts and thrilling ceremonial dances fail to seduce the far more practical Jeff. He functions as Tommy’s droll alter ego and would, were this story set in 2014, have lined up a Skype-shrink and sat him down, pronto, for a time-out among the thistles. Still, the magic of this show is its insistent fantasy, sustained early and late by the soaring vocals of the leading romantic couple. Fiona’s ”Waitin’ for My Dearie” was the first number to sweeten the room, and “Almost Like Being in Love,” which Fiona and Tommy sang handsomely together while musing separately, made it clear they were two peas in a pod, mere centuries apart."
Stage and Cinema - Highly Recommended
"...Worth the wait of a hundred years, or more accurately, 66, Rachel Rockwell's radiant, reverent recreation comes complete with a revised libretto by Brian Hill, an orchestra of 13, lush new orchestrations, and a sterling cast of 28 who literally fling themselves into every reel and sing up a Caledonian storm. A great show just found its dream home."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...Every element in this production is first class: the costumes (by Mara Blumenfeld) are authentic; Aaron Spivey’s lighting with Kevin Depinet’s sets and Shawn Sagadt’s projections combined to create the mystical atmosphere that became Brigadoon. The masterful ethnic dances and the rich Scottish brogues together with wonderful harmonies gave a lilt to Loewe’s score. Jordan Brown nailed the sensual ballad “Come to Me, Bend to Me” and Rod Thomas added cynical quips while the villagers exuded warmth charm and genuine goodness worthy of a fable. But the real winner here are the songs that propel the myth as a search for innocence with the power of love. You’ll leave the theatre humming the tunes that will satisfy your appetite for classic musicals. The Goodman Theatre needs to put their artistic resources behind a remount of a classical musical each summer. Could “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” or “Stop the World I Want to Get Off ” become a part of that tradition? One can hope."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Highly Recommended
"...Kevin Earley gives us a Tommy suitably ambivalent then charmed then in love, and his rendition of ‘There But For You Go I’ will break your heart. Jenna Sophia’s Fiona is lovely, strong, and Tommy would be a bloomin’ idiot not to love her. Her ‘From This Day On’ deserved the ovation it got. Other remarkable performances were turned in by Jordan Brown as Charlie Dalrymple, the winsome, awkward and extraordinarily enthused bridegroom, and the petite spitfire Maggie Portman as the hilarious Meg Brockie. This is an ensemble that must deliver gorgeous ensemble singing, tour de force Scottish dancing including a sword dance by the men, and convincing village scenes. It is a testament to the breadth of talent in Chicago that they are all memorable."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...There are musicals that keep coming back (perhaps some that shouldn't) but one musical that is seldom seen is Lerner and Lowe's musical fantasy, "Brigadoon", an amazing love story, now on stage at The Goodman Theatre. It is hard to believe that it has been decades since a total production of this marvelous tale has been on a Chicago stage. For those of you who are unaware of this fantasy, it is a story about two men who are off in Scotland to do a bit of hunting before returning home for one of them, Tommy (a solid performance by Kevin Early), to get married.. His "Best Man", Jeff (deftly handled by Rod Thomas), and he become lost on the hillside and what takes place during the next two hours and twenty minutes is a story of true love and one finding oneself. I am making reference of course to Tommy, and his future."
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
"...Audiences will leave this production with a renewed admiration for the artistry of Lerner & Loewe in what would become the first of their Broadway hit musicals. Brian Hill and Rachel Rockwell have brought the script, once considered tired and humorless, into the present, and Ms. Rockwell and her creative team have created a new vision for this beautifully melodic, optimistically romantic fantasy, all swirling kilts and skirling bagpipes, that will doubtless soon become the show’s official version. With two additional weeks now added, there’s no excuse for missing this glorious production that reminds audiences of the power of love."
Huffington Post - Highly Recommended
"...Leading this unapologetically romantic show, Jennie Sophia lends her warm presence and shimmering soprano to Fiona -- the leading lady who captures the heart of a hunter who wandered into the mysterious land (the evening I saw the show, Rod Thomas, who typically plays the sidekick friend, stepped in for Kevin Early, and was outstanding). Offering up some blowzy comedic relief, the ruddy cheeked Maggie Portman as Meg does well with two tongue-twisting numbers."
Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Highly Recommended
"...Goodman aroused lots of anticipation with its revival of "Brigadoon," which has already been extended. Yes, the musical is sure fire given even a decent professional production. But Rachel Rockwell and her artistic staff and cast have burnished the 1947 masterpiece without diminishing any of its virtues. The 1940's and 1950's haven't been labeled the Golden Age of the American musical for nothing. The Goodman revival isn't simply an act of homage on one hand or a wholesale re-creation on the other. Rockwell and company obviously respect the original but where they saw the potential for upgrades they went imaginatively ahead, and their efforts constitute a gift to local audiences."
The Fourth Walsh - Recommended
"...If you love the movie, you’ll love this play. If you’re in the mood for an easy summer romance, Goodman knows the way to your heart. If you need to escape reality with a little enchantment, go to BRIGADOON."
