Woodminster’s 43rd Season Concludes With BRIGADOON
Lerner & Loewe Classic Features a Cast of 40

Magical, Musical Story is Great for Families – And Kids Come Free

August 12, 2009, Oakland, CA – Producers Associates, Inc. concludes the 43rd Season of the Woodminster Summer Musicals with "Brigadoon." This romantic Lerner & Loewe classic tells the story of a mysterious Scottish village that appears for only one day every hundred years.  Two American tourists, lost in the Scottish Highlands, stumble upon the village just as a wedding is about to be celebrated, and their arrival has dramatic implications both for the villagers, and also for their own futures.

“Brigadoon” first opened on Broadway in 1947; It won The New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical and Agnes De Mille won the Tony for Best Choreography.  An even more successful London production soon followed.  The show has had several Broadway revivals and national tours, and remains popular for its lovely music and ballet, and its magical, mystical plot line.

“Brigadoon” runs September 4-13, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday the first weekend and Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday the second weekend.  Friday and Saturday performances (Sep. 4, 5, 11, 12) are at 8 p.m., and Thursday and Sunday performances (Sep. 6, 10, 13) are at 7 p.m.

Tickets for “Brigadoon” are $25-$40 with discounts for children, seniors, and groups.  The organization also offers a “Kids Come Free” program.  Any adult paying full price may bring a child or teen 16 or younger for free.  These free tickets are available the evening of the performance after 5:30 p.m.

Woodminster’s “Brigadoon” will be directed by Joel Schlader, with choreography by Jody Jaron, Executive Director of the Garden State Ballet in New Jersey.  The roles of the American tourists will be played by Robert Moorhead (who earlier this season portrayed Captain Hook in “Peter Pan”) and Scott Grinthal (who was the Production Singer in “Singin’ In The Rain”).  Fiona MacLaren, who becomes romantically involved with one of the Americans, is played by Susan Himes Powers (who just played Lena Lamont in “Singin In The Rain”).  Fiona’s sister Jean, whose upcoming wedding is an important plot element, is portrayed by Sarah Pon, who has been a  principal dancer and supporting actress in a number of Woodminster musicals.  The rest of the cast of 40 are a combination of professional AEA actors and local non-professionals and not-yet-professionals.  The orchestra, conducted by Brandon Adams, is comprised of members of Musicians Local No. 6.

The Woodminster Summer Musicals are performed under the stars at Woodminster Amphitheater, an open-air performance facility in Joaquin Miller Park high in the Oakland Hills. The park's spectacular views and serene woodsy environment made it the perfect setting for the amphitheater, cascades, reflecting pool, and paths that were originally built as a WPA project in 1939-40. For many East Bay families, it is a long-standing summer tradition to enjoy a picnic in the park and then see a musical at Woodminster.

Producers Associates, Inc. was founded in 1967 by James and Harriet Schlader to provide affordable live summer family entertainment in the East Bay, and to foster a love of live theatre. For the last 40 years, the organization, in partnership with the Oakland Park and Rec Department, has been producing summer musicals at Woodminster Amphitheater. For more information about the 2009 season or history of the organization, visit www.woodminster.com.

Brigadoon

Book and Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner
Music by Frederick Loewe

September 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13
Woodminster Amphitheater
Fridays and Saturdays performances are at 8 p.m.
Thursday and Sundays performances are at 7 p.m.

Above, L to R, Robert Moorhead* as Jeff, Scott Grinthal* as Tommy, and Susan Himes Powers* as Fiona. (Photo by Kathy Kahn. * indicates membership in Actors Equity Association. More photos available.)

Brigadoon CAST!

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