(Above: Actors Cabaret’s production of “Brigadoon” features, left to right, Scott Barkhurst Chad Lowe, Ashley Apelzin and Colin Gray in the characters of Mr. Lundie, Tommy, Fiona and Jeff.)

By Randi Bjornstad

The musical called “Brigadoon” is one of the classic tales of a mysterious, magical place that comes to life, in this case for one day every century in a remote part of Scotland.

The story line involves a couple of American tourists who happen upon the village during one of its “open” days, and when one of them falls in love with a local Brigadoon lass, it threatens to bring the infrequent existence of the place to end altogether.

That’s because if any citizen of Brigadoon leaves the valley, the whole thing will disappear. And someone from the outside can only stay in Brigadoon if he or she finds true love there — in a day, of course.

Ashley Apelzin and Chad Lowe lead the cast as young lovers who connect in a magical place that exists only once every 100 years

That sets up one potential conflict, when Tommy Albright, the tourist, lays eyes on the Brigadoon maiden,Fiona MacLaren, and instantly falls in love. Tommy has to decide whether to stay in Brigadoon, because Fiona can’t leave.

A second conflict crops up when Fiona’s sister Jean marries Charlie Dalrymple, also of Brigadoon, and a rival suitor, Harry Beaton, declares he will leave Brigadoon forever, causing its demise.

But an unfortunate accident occurs, causing Harry’s death, so the fate of Brigadoon comes down to what Tommy decides.

Naturally, the show is chock full of lovely tunes, including “Waitin’ for my Dearie,” “Go Home With Bonnie Jean,” “The Heather On The Hill,” and “Almost Like Being in Love.”

Colin Gray and Clarae Smith play the parts of the colorful sidekicks in “Brigadoon”

The play is onstage at Actors Cabaret of Eugene through April 7. As usual, there are several options for seeing the production: show only, show and dinner, and show and brunch, with entrees for the meals ordered at the same time as the tickets.

“Brigadoon” originated in 1947 as a Broadway musical that ran for 591 performances, followed by a 1949 version at the West End Theatre that added another 685.

In 1954, it was made into a musical feature film, starring Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse.

Alan Jay Lerner wrote the book and the lyrics, and Frederick Loewe composed the music.

Actors Cabaret’s production is directed by Michael P Watkins, with costume, set and lighting design by Joe Zingo.

The 19-member cast features Chad Lowe as Tommy and Ashley Apelzin as Fiona, along with Colin Gray, Clarae Smith, Sheldon Hal, Emily Westlund, Jeff Wisdom, Scott Barkhurst, Rob Roberts and Caleb Pruitt.

The ensemble includes Laura Gage-Hunt, India Potter, Kathie Lundberg, Cindy Humphreys, Hillary Humphreys, Cortney Grant, Delaine Burns, Kathy Bowman  and Tyler Blaser.

Brigadoon

When: 7:30 p.m. on March 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, 30-31 and April 6-7 and 2 p.m. on March 18 and 25

Where: Actors Cabaret, 996 Willamette St. in downtown Eugene

Tickets: Show only $16 to $27; dinner and show $35.95 to $46.95; brunch and show $38.95 to $40.95, available at the box office 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 541-683-4368, or online (except day of show) at actorscabaret.org/