BRIGADOON (1947) -- Plot Synopsis (Songs in Bold Italics)
(Overture) As the curtain rises, offstage voices are heard introducing the play's plot (Once in the Highlands). Two American tourists -- Tommy Albright and Jeff Douglas -- lost in a forest in Scotland briefly argue when Jeff speaks about the value of accepting only what your rational mind and senses tell you and Tommy argues there is possibly something deeper to expericnce in life than just the realistic surface. Tommy also confides that he feels there is "something wrong" or missing in his feelings for his fiancee back in New York. Tommy and Jeff hear distant voices singing (Brigadoon), then see a village come into view through the haze although it is strangely not on their maps. Entering it, they come to a square where a colorful local fair is taking place (Vendors' Calls; Down on MacConnachy Square). Andrew MacLaren has come there with his two daughters, Fiona and Jean. The latter is soon to be married to Charlie Dalrymple, much to the displeasure of Harry Beaton, who is also in love with her. Meg Brockie, a bold young woman, expresses surprise that Fiona is not jealous of her sister's betrothal. Fiona explains that she is waiting for a true love (Waitin' for My Dearie). When strangers Jeff and Tommy come upon the square, the villagers are stunned, but warily accept the strangers in their midst. The attention now goes to bridegroom Charlie who reveals that he is giving up his roving eye and looking forward to his new life with his betrothed (I'll Go Home with Bonnie Jean). Tommy is attracted to Fiona, who at first declines when Tommy asks if he can join her to go gather heather for her sister's wedding, but relents after his further persuasion (The Heather on the Hill). In the next scene, amorous Meg makes advances to Jeff and tells him of her many failed attempts to catch a man and keep him (The Love of My Life). Later, in the MacLaren home, the village girls help Jean pack her things in preparation for her imminent wedding (Jeannie's Packin' Up). Bridegroom Charlie comes to inscribe his name in the MacLaren family bible and is told he cannot see his bride until it is time for the wedding (Come to Me, Bend to Me). Fiona and Tommy return from their heather-gathering expedition, late and happy. Fiona goes into the next room with Jean and Tommy confides to Jeff his joy at being with Fiona that day and she returns to join him in these thoughts (Almost Like Being in Love). Glancing through the McLaren family bible, Tommy and Jeff are startled to read that Fiona and Jean were apparently born 200 years before in the eighteenth century. Fiona refuses to enlighten them about this strange circumstance but introduces them to the town schoolmaster, Mr. Lundie. He tells them that Brigadoon was saved from the possible destruction of a witch's curse by the miracle of only coming to life one day every 100 years. However, if any of the townspeople left, the whole village would disappear forever, although Lundie reassures Jeff that any strangers who happened on the town could leave without any negative effects on the town. Upon Tommy's questioning, Lundie also confides that if a stranger did decide to stay because of his love for one of the villagers that person could become a citizen of the town but also could never leave without destroying the town. With the burden of these disclosures on their minds, Tommy and Jeff attend the festive wedding ceremony of Jean and Charlie. Suddenly Jean's other suitor, Harry Beaton, arrives. After making an unsuccessful pass at Jean, Beaton runs away vowing to leave Brigadoon which will, of course, destroy the town forever. All the men, including Tommy and Jeff, chase after him, but they eventually find him dead -- fallen on a hard rock (The Chase). When Tommy returns after the chase, he confesses his love to Fiona and says he wants to stay in Brigadoon with her (There But For You Go I). In the next scene, there is comic relief as Meg confides that there were other weddings that were "far more daft than this" (My Mother's Wedding Day). As night approaches, Jeff convinces Tommy that it is impossible for Tommy to live in a dream, that reality dictates Tommy must return home to New York and marry his fiancée. Tommy sadly accepts the seeming rational truth of Jeff's words. He bids Fiona a tender farewell (From This Day On) and leaves Brigadoon with Jeff. Some months later in a New York bar, Tommy's finacee rebukes him for having failed to "come to me" and letting her know that he was in town. The words "come to me" strike a responsive chord with Tommy. In a mist he sees Fiona before him in Brigadoon and there is a mystic reprise of many of the previous songs from his time in Brigadoon. This vision convinces him that he must break with his financee and return to Scotland no matter how vain such a trip might be. With Jeff once again as his companion, Tommy is back in the forest outside Brigadoon. Suddenly Tommy and Jeff hear voices in the distance (Brigadoon reprise) and see Mr. Lundie approaching them. He takes Tommy by the hand to lead him back to Brigadoon. "You see," explains Mr. Lundie, "love can do anything -- even miracles." Waving farewell to Jeff who stands in astonishment, Tommy follows Mr. Lundie into the Highland mists as the music swells and the play ends.
PAINT YOUR WAGON (1951) -- Plot Synopsis (Songs in Bold Italics)
The play, set in 1853 during the northern California gold rush, begins with Jennifer, Ben Rumson's uneducated sixteen-year-old daughter, discovering gold while running her hands through the dirt during a funeral. News travels fast and prospectors of many backgrounds and nationalities rush to Rumson Creek to make their fortune (I'm on My Way). Jennifer is the only female among 400 men, and in her youthful naivity does not understand why her untouchable presence frustrates so many miners (Rumson and What's Goin' on Here?). Eventually she strikes up a close relationship with a handsome young miner named Julio Valveras, who is forced to live out of town because he is Mexican (I Talk to the Trees). The lack of female companionship coupled with the cold harshness and loneliness of the geography is expressed by one of the miners (They Call the Wind Maria). Jennifer asks her father to tell her more about her deceased mother and Ben movingly complies (I Still See Elisa), but berates Jennifer when he sees her doing Julo's laundry and dancing with Julio's shirts (How Can I Wait?). Ben wants Jennifer to leave on the next Eastbound coach to be educated. But before this can happen, Jacob, a middle aged Mormon, arrives at Rumson and is told that he must auction off one of his two wives. Elizabeth is sold to Ben who tries to woo her (In Between). Ben is feted by the other miners on his wedding day (Whoop-Ti-Yay). Jennifer packs her bags and runs to Julio's cabin in the mountains, but Julio convinces her that she should indeed go East to school and give him time to make his fortune for them (Carino Mio). To the delight of the other miners, a minor named Jake sends for his girl friend (Cherry) and her fandango dancers and all celebrate (There's a Coach Comin' In and Hand Me Down That Can o' Beans). However, the gold begins to run out and everyone slowly begins to leave, including depressed Julio (Another Autumn). Elizabeth leaves Ben by running off with another man. Now educated and "civilized" Jennifer returns intending to marry Julio (All for Him) only to find that he has left looking for a strike somewhere else. Ben ruminates over his own earlier nomadic life (Wanderin' Star) but decides he cannot leave Rumson, the town he founded and is named after him. The play ends when Julio returns unexpectedly and, as he and Jennifer move toward each other on the stage, the whole expanse of California is revealed in backdrop with wagons and people on the move.
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