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Regional Reviews: Washington, D.C. Broadway Center Stage: Schmigadoon!
Chico Paul, creator of the book, music, and lyrics, has made some minor plot tweaks to distill a six-part limited series into a joyous single performance, along with adding a few new songs. Director and choreographer Christopher Gattelli has shepherded a large and seemingly tireless cast in this loving, gently satiric look at the musical Golden Age of Broadway (defined as the years between Oklahoma! in 1943 and Fiddler on the Roof in 1964). The plot and the title take their inspiration from Brigadoon, the 1947 story of two vacationing Americans who stumble upon an enchanted village in the Scottish Highlands. In this case, New York City doctors Josh (Alex Brightman) and Melissa (Sara Chase) have taken a weekend trip upstate to examine their relationship issues and discover an early 20th-century town right out of The Music Man, peopled by a lot of surprisingly familiar characters. (Much of the fun of Paul's songs and Gattelli's dances is the "Which Broadway song inspired this one?" game for the audience.) A major conceit of the plot (laid out by a leprechaun) reveals that the only people who can leave Schmigadoon are those who have found true love. That means that Josh and Melissa have to settle in for awhile, meet the locals, and try to find their place in this bucolic community. So, who lives in Schmigadoon? Aloysius Menlove (Brad Oscar) is the mayor, but he's often moody and distracted, to the distress of his devoted wife Florence (Ann Harada, who also appeared in the series). Mildred Layton (Emily Skinner), wife of the town's minister, Reverend Layton (Kevin Del Aguila), and its self-appointed moral scold, doesn't trust those outsiders, but Josh and Melissa are stuck there until they can resolve the true love issue. A farmer's daughter (McKenzie Kurtz), a swaggering young man (Ryan Vasquez), a morally upright doctor (Javier Muñoz), and a beleaguered schoolteacher (Isabelle McCalla)–guardian to her annoying younger brother (Ayaan Diop), who has a noticeable speech impediment–complicate the situation. With all the talent on this stage, it's impossible to single out a "best" performance, but Oscar's studied soulfulness and McCalla's open heart and determination stand out in a strong company. Scott Pask's economical scenic design includes obviously painted backdrops and other winks to the audience, while Linda Cho has designed riotously colorful costumes. Musical director Steven Malone conducts a small but powerful ensemble at the rear of the stage. The Broadway Center Stage production of Schmigadoon! runs through February 9, 2025, in the Eisenhower Theater, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F St. NW, Washington DC. For tickets and information, please call 800-444-1324 or 202-467-4600 or visit www.kennedy-center.org. Directed and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli Cast: |
