University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music presents Lerner and Loewe’s Brigadoon in Concert this weekend (Sept. 25–26, 2026) with lush orchestral arrangements, minimal sets and costumes, and a whole lot of enthusiastic singing and acting from the musical theater students. The first collaboration between lyricist Alan Jay Lerner and composer Frederick Loewe, Brigadoon opened on Broadway in 1947; the film version premiered in 1954. It is considered a Golden Age musical.
The Story
Two Americans on a hunting trip in Scotland stumble onto a beautiful village that appears on no map. The town of Brigadoon wakes for a single day, then vanishes for a hundred years. One of the Americans, Tommy Albright, falls in love with a village girl, Fiona, and must decide whether to stay in Brigadoon forever or return to his unhappy life in New York.
Delightful Cast
Every voice onstage — and in the balcony — is a delight. Grace Baker, as Fiona, has exactly the lovely soprano tone you’d imagine in a young Scottish girl, and her Tommy (Joey Baciocco) brings a bright, melodic sound that’s just right for the part.
Other standouts include Annie Dauk (Jean, Fiona’s sister), who dances a lovely ballet sequence (Brandon Kelly, choreographer); Ellie Eisele (Meg), who is great fun with the bawdy numbers; and Dominic Carroll (Jeff, Tommy’s American friend), a fine comic actor with sharp timing. Carter Minor (Stuart Dalrymple) has a small role but an exceptional voice. The ensemble singing from the balcony creates an atmosphere of genuine enchantment, and the CCM Philharmonia sounds terrific — if a bit overwhelming at times.
The Creative Team
The “in concert” model isn’t a full production, but you do get the whole show: script, score, dance numbers, lighting and some costuming. That last element is where I’d push back. It should have been all or nothing. It is jarring to see some actors in “Scottish” attire alongside others in jeans and gym shoes or sundresses.
The orchestra sits onstage. There are no sets, just a handful of crates, barrels and stools for the actors to work with. Ashley Crokett is the prop manager, and the pieces serve the show well.
Director Eric Byrd and music director/conductor Ian Axness do admirable work, though the instrumental interludes and double overtures feel excessive. If you didn’t know the tunes before the show, you certainly do now.
Sound design needs more attention. Many singers can’t be heard over the orchestra, particularly the women. This is especially noticeable in the opening number, where the whole company sings in its lower register. Lighting is by CCM Lighting Design and Technology students.
Themes and Execution
The first act of Brigadoon tells us that “miracles require faith.” In his program notes, Axness suggests that producing musical theater in 2026 is its own kind of miracle — that love and loss, comedy and destiny, merry townsfolk and outsiders all depend on a collective willing to work together, here among 94 performers and just as many people behind the scenes. That this is a labor of love is obvious.
Final Word
Brigadoon in Concert is an evening of lovely, sentimental music, well worth the two hours and 45 minutes. Catch it tonight at Corbett Auditorium, 8 p.m. You’ll be glad you did.
