May 26, June 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 1974
The story of Brigadoon, music by Frederick Loewe, book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner, takes place in a misty glen in the highlands of Scotland, where two wandering Americans discover the magical village of Brigadoon which mysteriously appears for only one day each century. The villagers, in colorful 18th century costumes, greet the wanderers who become, for a time, a part of Brigadoon. The audience (5,579 total) got into the mood of the play as they were led down the trail to the Theatre by a bagpiper (alternately Terry Raymond and Pat Jack).
This was Earl Kelly's last show for the Players. In all, he directed 20 Spring Shows between 1953 and 1974 and his influence on the Players is still felt. In a letter to the Players, he wrote:
To All Mountaineer Players for More Than Twenty Years, Thank You.
It has been a privilege and a pleasure to direct you in twenty productions. From "The Warrior's Husband," to "Brigadoon," each production has presented a unique directing problem, but each year many talented Mountaineer Players have cooperated and worked so hard to entertain an ever-growing and appreciative audience. It has been particularly rewarding during these past years to see the growth from two performances each year to seven and to see a growth in size and quality of production. But most rewarding of all has been the friendships stimulated by our mutual efforts in The Forest Theatre.
The time has come, I feel, for a new and fresh approach to the staging of your productions and so I have resigned as director. This has not been an easy decision, as the most challenging and consequently most rewarding experiences for which a director could ask have been mine, thanks to all of you.
If I can be of help to you at any time, please do not hesitate to call upon me, for you have a beautiful theater and a marvelous tradition and we must not let it lose its fascination for audiences and actors alike. And if you do not call upon me, know full well that I intend to return every hundred years like Brigadoon.
My sincere thanks and best wishes for many happy productions. (signed) Earl Kelly
