Stage Review - Brigadoon (Village Theatre)
Stage Review - Brigadoon
Presented By: Village Theatre - Issaquah, WA
Show Run: September 16 - October 19, 2025 (Everett: October 25 - November 16)
Date Reviewed: Saturday, September 20, 2025 (Opening Weekend)
Run Time: 2 Hours, 20 minutes (inclusive of a 15-minute intermission)
Reviewed By: Greg Heilman
The magic of the classic story of Brigadoon has always rested in its ability to whisk audiences away to a place both timeless and fleeting—a village that appears for just one day every century, where love and destiny intertwine. Village Theatre’s new production, directed by Karen Lund, taps beautifully into that sense of wonder, blending lush design, heartfelt performances, and an underlying message about the choices we make when confronted with escape, love, and sacrifice. The show runs at Village Theatre in Everett through October 19 before moving to Issaquah to run from October 25 through November 16.
The story, which first appeared as a musical on Broadway in 1947, begins simply enough. Tommy Albright (Harter Clingman) and his best friend Jeff Douglas (Mike Wu) are lost in the Scottish woods during a bachelor party hunting trip for Tommy’s upcoming wedding. Parmida Ziaei’s scenic design first greets the audience with a rocky landscape and a painted backdrop that immediately establishes the pair’s disorientation. Then, as fog drifts across the stage, a bridge mysteriously emerges, leading to a town that seems to appear out of nowhere. When the painted drop rises, the reveal is breathtaking: the mystical village of Brigadoon, fully realized. It’s a striking moment of theatrical transformation and is as magical as the story itself.
Karen’s vision for Brigadoon is one that is transportive, while Parmida’s design in support of that vision is both stunning and functional. The layered set doesn’t just represent the rolling Scottish hills—it comes alive with the performers. Lined with heather, the slopes are traversed by villagers during key moments, most memorably during the tender duet “The Heather on the Hill,” where Tommy and Fiona (Jessica Skerritt) sing of newfound love, and a chase scene in Act 2. In “The Heather”, their voices blend gorgeously, made even more magical by the surrounding landscape. The houses and barns of Brigadoon are cleverly suggested with minimalist frames and furniture beneath, a design choice that makes the audience feel like they are peering into a dream. Smaller set pieces glide seamlessly on and off, but it’s these evocative structures that linger in memory.
Lighting designer Ahren Buhmann adds another layer of subtle magic. The background color shifts almost imperceptibly to reflect mood and time of day, creating a realism that anchors this otherwise fantastical world. These subtle transitions enrich the atmosphere, making Brigadoon feel like a place suspended between dream and reality.
While Karen is best known for her work at Taproot Theatre’s more intimate thrust stage, Brigadoon demonstrates her remarkable versatility. She uses the larger proscenium space to make Brigadoon feel expansive and alive, filling it with dynamic movement and moments of intimacy that never get lost in scale. Katy Tabb’s choreography is seamlessly woven into the production, using the hills and open spaces to full advantage, from graceful village dances to thrillingly athletic sequences.
The production team, including sound designer Justin Schmitz, builds a mystical soundscape. At pivotal moments, light and sound work in tandem to swell tension or evoke serenity. The live orchestra, under the direction of Bruce Monroe, provides a lush and powerful accompaniment throughout, with the haunting sound of bagpipes lending authenticity and emotional weight—especially during the solemn scenes of Act II.
The ensemble shines as one of the production’s strongest elements. Their harmonies are rich and full, and they execute the complex choreography with precision. Whether in joyful village celebrations or solemn, deeply emotional scenes, their commitment never falters.
While the ensemble is very good as a complete unit, there are individual performances of note as well. Jessica Skerritt is in full voice and fine form as Fiona, radiating strength and tenderness. She and Harter Clingman’s Tommy are a perfect pairing, their chemistry palpable in every shared moment. Their performances soar in “The Heather on the Hill” and “Almost Like Being in Love,” where individual vocal prowess crescendos into a truly transcendent duet. Jessica’s every song is a highlight, but Harter’s climactic Act II number, “There But for You Go I,” is the production’s musical pinnacle. Throughout the show, he hints at his vocal strength, but in this final song, he unleashes its full power, leaving no doubt of his ability and cementing the emotional climax of the story.
The romantic threads don’t stop there. Jasmine Jean Sim delivers a captivating performance as the flirtatious Meg Brockie. She commands attention with a mix of seductive charm and playful humor, particularly in “The Love of My Life,” which showcases both her vocal ability and comedic timing. Even when part of the ensemble, Jasmine has a magnetic presence that naturally draws the audience’s eye. Her counterpart, Mike Wu as Jeff, is a delightful foil—his energy and sardonic wit balancing Jasmine’s larger-than-life personality. Together, they create a charmingly contrasting pair.
Other standouts include Anne Allgood, who impressively portrays both the spiritually grounded Mistress Lundie and the emotionally devastated Mrs. Beaton, bringing depth and gravitas to each role. Carlos Narvaez commands the stage as Harry Beaton, leading a thrilling sword dance during the Act I wedding scene—a visual and emotional high point. The precision of this sequence, executed like ballet by the ensemble, is mesmerizing and speaks to the production’s attention to detail.
From the wedding celebration that closes Act I to the somber, reverent moments of Act II, this production embraces the full emotional spectrum. Karen’s direction shines in the Act II chase scene, which uses Parmida’s set to create flow and excitement. Just as powerfully, the solemn funeral scene brings the entire company together, setting aside humor for a deeply felt moment of shared grief and reflection.
Beneath its magical exterior, Brigadoon is a story about choice. In a world rife with division and uncertainty, who wouldn’t be tempted by a chance to escape into a simpler, more harmonious existence—even if it comes at a cost? This tension plays out through Tommy’s journey: what is he willing to sacrifice for love, and for the promise of something extraordinary?
Village Theatre’s Brigadoon is a feast for the senses and the heart. With its breathtaking set design, subtle and evocative lighting, powerful ensemble work, and a cast of standout performances, this production brings the classic Lerner and Loewe musical to vivid life. It offers audiences a few precious hours of enchantment, while posing questions about love, sacrifice, and the world we choose to build. As the mist clears and Brigadoon fades from view, you may find yourself wondering—if given the chance to leave behind the chaos of today’s world, would you take it?
Brigadoon runs on stage at Village Theatre in Issaquah through October 19 before moving to Everett on October 25. For more information, including ticket availability and sales, visit https://villagetheatre.org/.
Photo credit: Auston James
