Brigadoon’s magic beckons in Eden Prairie must-see musical 

The Eden Prairie Players’ production of “Brigadoon” opens June 20 at Staring Lake Amphitheatre, weaving a timeless romance under the summer stars.

Audiences can expect the Eden Prairie Players to transport them to a Scottish village lost in time. Directed by Matthew Kraft, “Brigadoon” will run June 20-22 and June 26-29, with shows beginning at 7 p.m. Audiences are invited to spread blankets, enjoy picnics and take in the natural beauty from the amphitheater nestled in Eden Prairie’s Staring Lake Park, 14800 Pioneer Trail.

With a 19-player cast and 28-member orchestra, the ensemble delivers a captivating performance that sparks your feelings. “The audience will feel lost and confused, almost like feeling you’ve fallen in love,” Kraft says gracefully, intentional with every word.

From left to right: Ward Eames portrays Archie Beaton, Marie Miller is cast as Jean, and Ella Rose Katzenberger plays Fiona. Photo by Brianna Belland

In “Brigadoon,” two New Yorkers, Tommy and Jeff, find a secret village called Brigadoon. A special prayer keeps this village hidden, showing up only one day every century. Tommy falls in love with Fiona MacLaren of Brigadoon, blending a dream with reality.

Captivating performances and timeless melodies

Ella Rose Katzenberger plays Fiona MacLaren in “Brigadoon.” Photo by Andrew Ferri

Ella Rose Katzenberger, trained in vocal pedagogy, brings luminous resolve to the character of Fiona MacLaren. Her Scottish brogue has been sharpened from roles with the Gilbert & Sullivan Very Light Opera Company. Katzenberger declares the Twin Cities theater scene “a haven” that mirrors her character’s defiant spirit.

Christopher DeVaan, an Eden Prairie Players veteran known for his singing, ironically performs little singing as Jeff Douglas. Instead, he delivers his natural comedic timing with hilarious effect.

Christopher DeVaan plays Jeff Douglas in “Brigadoon.” Photo by Andrew Ferri

Musical director Melissa Warhol crafts a score with standards like “Almost Like Being in Love” and “The Heather on the Hill,” so that a tale of urban souls finding solace during simpler times resonates deeply, much as it did when Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse immortalized “Brigadoon” in the 1954 film adaptation. Lyricist and composer Lerner and Loewe originally created “Brigadoon” as a stage play that premiered on Broadway in 1947.

Director Kraft honors the legacy of Liz Michaelson, a producer with the Eden Prairie Players for 20 years, who recently passed away.

Free outdoor theater at Staring Lake

Earlier this month, on a humid, misty evening with fog cloaking the sky, the “Brigadoon” cast rehearsed. As they danced inside the fully restored antique Riley-Jacques Barn, the tropical air evoked nostalgic days. The tale of New Yorkers finding solace in a simpler world was felt profoundly, with the old barn now a place where dreams come true.

The Eden Prairie Players at a June rehearsal for “Brigadoon” inside the Riley-Jacques Barn. Photo by Andrew Ferri

The Players anticipate their upcoming production of “Brigadoon” at Staring Lake Park, where free admission, with donations encouraged, upholds the tradition of accessible outdoor theater. The Eden Prairie Players, founded in 1992, rely on donations to fund the budget for “Brigadoon,” covering royalties, vibrant tartan costumes and set design.

Staring Lake Amphitheatre will serve as the venue for the Eden Prairie Players’ free productions of “Brigadoon.” Photo by Andrew Ferri

The dream for those upcoming performances: The smell of fresh lake air wafts through Staring Lake Amphitheatre, mingling with the scent of picnics. Audiences settle on blankets and feel cool grass beneath and the warm summer breeze enhanced by the open-air stage’s charm. Tartan costumes catch the eye. Lerner and Loewe’s soaring melodies, performed by Ella Rose Katzenberger, fuel the crowd’s mystical spirit. And a Scottish village is brought to life under Minnesota’s evening sky.