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‘Brigadoon’ premieres Friday at IU Kokomo

Last Updated on October 31, 2017 by cassnetwork

BrigadoonKOKOMO, Ind. —A mysterious Scottish village appears on the Havens Auditorium stage for three days only, as Indiana University Kokomo Music and Theatre presents Brigadoon.

The musical tells the story of Americans Tommy Albright and Jeff Douglas, who stumble upon the Scottish village of Brigadoon. In order to protect the village from being changed by the outside world, it only appears for one day every 100 years, before disappearing back into the mist.

Cody Kopka plays Tommy Albright, and said it’s a challenging role, but a good one for him, as a student in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences’ performing arts concentration.

“It’s been an interesting challenge for me to play a baritone part,” he said, noting he is a tenor. Directors Wendy Grice and Garry Grice have worked on the vocal parts with him, to help him reach notes he doesn’t usually sing. It gives him the chance to show versatility, he added.

Other challenges for the student cast have included learning the Scottish accent, as well as intricate dance steps. Local dance teacher Becky Seamster choreographed the show, and several students from her studio perform in the dance numbers.

Kopka was already a fan of the show, having watched the movie version on television with his grandmother. He loves the music, written by Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner, who are also known for writing My Fair Lady and Camelot.

“It brings back good memories of watching the old musicals on TCM with her,” he said. “It’s such an inherently pretty show. All the shows Lerner and Loewe made are good-feeling shows. They get you right in the heart.”

The beautiful music is a great reason to come see the show, according to Tyler Fuller, who plays Mr. Lundie, the village schoolmaster who shares the villages’ secret with the American tourists.

“It’s a truly wonderful show, and it hasn’t been done much in this area,” he said. As a graphic design student, performing in musical theatre gives him a chance to meet students outside his major and to enjoy being on stage.

“I’ve been doing musical theatre for a long time,” he said. “It’s one of those things that helps me interact with other students, and to make friends on campus.”

For Aubri Copp, the show gives a chance to return to IU Kokomo’s stage — she performed as an undergraduate, and is now back as a student in the Master of Business Administration program, playing dairymaid Meg Brockie.

“I feel like the veteran of the group getting to come back,” she said. “Managing school, and a full-time job, and a musical on top of it is chaotic, but it’s doable. I just have to be on top of all of my responsibilities, every step of the way.”

She calls Brigadoon “a Scottish Oklahoma,” and encouraged people to attend.

“It’s been fun to do,” she said. “It’s not just your regular love story. There are side stories, and a big twist in it. It’s probably one of the best musicals I’ve ever been in, and I’ve been in a lot of musicals.”

Performances are at 7 p.m. Friday, November 3, and Saturday, November 4; and 3 p.m. Sunday, November 5, all in Havens Auditorium.

Tickets are $10 general admission, $5 for students with ID or children ages 7-12. Children 6 and younger are admitted free. Doors open 30 minutes before each show.

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

SOURCE: News release from Indiana University Kokomo

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