`Brigadoon’ cast sparkles in sappy musical> Stack’s production at The Grand imbues Scottish fantasy with energy, liveliness

A disclaimer needs to accompany this review of “Brigadoon,” which opened last weekend and continues this weekend at The Grand in Ellsworth.

I hate this musical.

I know I’m in the minority with that opinion. I know that the Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe show, and especially the tunes “The Heather on the Hill” and “Almost Like Being in Love,” are favorites among musical theater buffs.

But I have never appreciated the story of two American hunters who get lost in Scotland and stumble upon the bonny Brigadoon, a village that cannot be found on any map and didn’t seem to be there yesterday. The hunters can’t quite understand the accents or costumes or coinage, although one of them falls in love with a fiesty Scotswoman, who makes his heart swell more than a wee bit.

What the hunters do come to understand is that in the 1700s, Brigadoon was plagued by witches and sorcerers who led the people away from God. So one of its esteemed townspeople asked God for a well-organized miracle, which would eliminate the bad people and preserve the good. God apparently agreed, took the life of that man, but Brigadoon and its people appear through the mist for only one day every 100 years.

For me, that has always been one day too many. When the lead love song for a musical has its lovers singing “come to me, bend to me,” I say find a way to keep Brigadoon out in the clouds forever.

But for the audiences at The Grand, “Brigadoon” is a fantasy well worth savoring for a day at the theater. And if you must love the show, then Ken Stack’s production is the one to see. It’s filled with bagpipes, tartans, kilts and a skean dhu (also known as a Highlander’s dirk) stuffed in every stocking.

The cast offers a thoroughly enjoyable rendition of this love fantasy, and really works together to bring the happy smiles of a people living in a miracle. John K. Harris and Leslie Adams in the lead roles of New Yorker Tommy Albright and Brigadooner Fiona MacLaren bring a wholesomeness and sincerity to their characters that nicely captures the brimming sentimentality of the plot.

Bill Shaw, as Tommy’s fellow hunter Jeff, is a hoot with his deadpan, pessimistic and alcohol-induced take on the inconvenience of life and love. For someone who doesn’t like this show (and, of course, for those who do, too), Shaw is a big treat.

Heather Astbury as the lusty (and lustful) Meg Brockie is a terrific burst of energy. She has a real sparkle in her eye and sometimes it comes bounding off the stage like a firecracker.

Frances Jacobs is peaches and cream as the bride-to-be, Jean, and Todd Greenquist is a prancing stallion as her groom-to-be, Charlie Dalrymple. As the jealous and ill-fated Harry Beaton, Dwayne Eaton is appropriately hot-headed and tense. When he and Greenquist stake their territories during a sword dance, it’s a fight of stomping grace and high steps.

As the keeper of Brigadoon’s history, Mr. Lundie, Padraic Conroy is a pleasant figure of a sage man.

And the members of the Northern Border Caledonia Pipe Band put just the right wailing, bag-piping twist on the whole mood of the piece.

John Haskell’s music direction keeps the action moving, and Linda Grindle’s costumes of old-time Scotland are pretty and plaid.

This show isn’t for everyone. More specifically, it’s not for me. But that’s no fault of this generous cast and its support crew. This is as close as any of us may ever get to being carried off by shadowy arms to far-away clouds where a chorus of angelic voices announces each day. And it may be closer than some of us want to get.

“Brigadoon” will be performed 8 p.m Oct. 21 and 22, and 2 p.m. Oct. 23 at The Grand in Ellsworth. For tickets, call 667-9500.