LEAN ON ME- Jeff Douglas, played by senior Jody Wood, and Tommy Albright, senior Conrad Ekkens, talk of the situation they've found themselves in Brigadoon. - Photo by Ken Bissell. PACKING- Jean MacLaren, played by sophomore Tara Buss, packs for her sister's wedding day. The wedding attracted the entire village in Lerner and Lowe's "Brigadoon." - Photo by Ken Bissell. A Memorabl e ... Show The Highlands of Scotland hit Searcy The rolling landscapes of Scotland met the foothills of the Ozarks when the students of Harding performed Lerner and Lowe's bonny musical, "Brigadoon" during Homecoming Weekend this year. During that weekend, audiences saw ghosts appear, heard mystifying tales, watched dancers in a wee bit of a frenzy, witnessed a murder, and fell in love. Not a bad way to spend an evening, eh? The audience joined with the two lost hunters, Tommy Albright and Jeff Douglas, as they made their way through the misty woods of Scotland towards the haunting town of Brigadoon. The village, which returns every hundred years, is the home of Fiona MacLaren, the beautiful lass who makes no plans for marriage. This should be no problem for Tommy since he is engaged to a young lady back in the states, but he and Fiona fall in love and Tommy is faced with a grim dilemma: Should he go home and marry a woman he doesn't really love or stay in Brigadoon with Fiona? The play starred Benson veteran Conrad Ekkens as Tommy Albright alongside Anna Conley as the beautiful Fiona. In both cases their experience was evident and they heartily delivered a satisfying show. Jeff Douglas, the drunken lush played by Jody Wood, profaned the sacred Benson stage uproariously. Jeff, however, was less disconcerted with his drinking than by the presence of Meg Brookie, played by Susan Leigh Richardson, whose ceaseless attempts at routine seduction were hilarious. A nod must be given to Eric French who played the venerable Mr. Lundie. Much of the praise, however , should fall on the shoulders of Music Director Arthur Shearin and Staging and Design Director Morris Ellis. But they did not put the show together on their own. Keri and Dan Tullos served as consultants who provided crucial insight to Scottish lore. John Folding, Assistant Director, gave invaluable aid to Dr. Shearin and Dr. Ellis by acting as a "go-between" among the student actors and the directors. The final touch of authenticity came from piper Chris Knife whose playing during the funeral gave the scene a solemn air. His practicing could be heard all across the campus days before the performance. And so, the Benson stage which, unlike Brigadoon, does not have to wait a hundred years to come to life, has hosted another satisfying musical. There is little doubt that it will continue to do so as long as Harding continues to attract such capable talent. A traditional and central part of Homecoming Weekend, the musical remains a dear and important part of this special fall weekend. -Mark Beshirs Brigadoon 21
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