Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Christopher Wheeldon’s robust and romantic BRIGADOON at City Center is a revival to swoon over

• By drediman
• November 18, 2017
• No Comments

Robbie Fairchild and company in Christopher Wheeldon’s production of Lerner and Loewe’s “Brigadoon” at New York City Center.

This week, I attended New York City Center’s gala performance of Lerner and Loewe’s Brigadoon. Last year’s gala produced much excitement, when Jake Gyllenhaal and Annaleigh Ashford led a transcendent Sunday in the Park with George; the production eventually ended up transferring to the Great White Way, reopening the gorgeous Hudson Theatre (Broadway’s newest theater). This Brigadoon, robustly directed and choreographed by ballet’s Christopher Wheeldon, is just as special. Indeed, it’s an impressive, sure-footed revival that manages to wipe away the musical’s accumulating layers of of dust – particularly off of that creaky book – while retaining the original spirit of this exceedingly romantic work.

Mr. Wheeldon’s direction is exemplary, particularly since the revival’s limited performances were advertised as semi-staged concerts. They’re no such thing; this Brigadoon can be easily exported to a Broadway house lock, stock, and barrel. Mr. Wheeldon’s eye-filling choreography moves the show along with confidence and bravado; it’s nice to see him here unencumbered with excessive set pieces (as he was in his Broadway directorial debut, the excellent if conservative stage adaptation of An American in Paris). On a practically bare stage, he’s able to inject Brigadoon with the excitement and creativity that have fueled his ballet work.

Much of the credit for the production’s success must also be credited to its astonishing cast, led by Patrick Wilson, Kelli O’Hara, Stephanie J. Block, Robbie Fairchild, and Aasif Mandvi. Mr. Wilson and Ms. O’Hara are, bar none, the ideal romantic leads – and gosh, do they sound sumptuous singing these songs. Ms. Block and Mr. Mandvi, in their supporting roles, bring irresistible sass and humor each time they set foot on the stage. Finally, Mr. Fairchild puts any doubts to rest regarding his retirement from City Ballet to cross-over to the world of legitimate theater; his performance was commanding in all respects (singing, acting, dancing). This is a revival to swoon over.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

BRIGADOON
Off-Broadway, Musical
New York City Center
2 hours, 15 minutes (with one intermission)
Through November 19