“Brigadoon” rounds out strong UFOC season

Halfway through the simple, yet lifting “Brigadoon,” it occurs that this production might, in fact, be a reflection of the Utah Festival Opera Company’s decade-old history.

Here’s a tale that appeals to generations — OK, maybe more to those we called “seasoned” than those we call “hip-hop”– and a tale with a moral, fairy-tale scenario. Here’s a tale that reminds us that “miracles can happen.”

Yeah, just like this home-spun opera company.

Together with musical “The Secret Garden,” “Brigadoon ” combines with “Rigoletto and “La Cenerentola” for a strong season. While “La Cenertola” was the highly-polished gem of the quartet, don’t forget “Brigadoon,” a favorite tale of a mystical town in the highlands of Scotland, discovered by two travelers searching for permanance in their lives.

Just like Logan (to a degree, at least, to continue the comparison), the town has been saved from evil influences and is a bit different from the rest of the world. Making the visitors — and the audience — pine to stay in the highlands is Johanna Wiseman, playing Fiona MacLaren, who beguiles one of the New Yorkers (played by Shon Sims and Tod Fitzpatrick). While Sims is asked mostly to act and leave the singing to Fitzpatrick, he plays a solid Jeff Douglas. Fitzpatrick begins to feel like a comfortable old shoe by show’s end. Solid, workman-like, gets the job done, but only as an exception did his voice and performance pierce and move the audience. He certainly got the job done, just like your best work boot, but was a bit too stoic and plain. Even his costumes were more fitting at toner cartridge salesman than an opera star.

Wiseman does beguile. She loved her part — and it showed — and her voice was a near-perfect extension of her delight in playing the role. Her visits to UFOC are always appreciated.

The audience took quickly to Kevin Massey, playing the about-to-be -married Charliie Dalrymple. Looking absolutely innocent and almost teen-like, Massey was spunky and smooth and at ease in both acting and singing roles. Eric VanTielen, recognizable to many audience members from his UFOC and Old Lyric roles in Logan productions, plays Harry Beaton, the lone resident of Brigadoon that wants out of the Utopian society. VanTielen stages his character perfectly and draws the audience into his character’s challenges. All ensemble activities, both song and dance, were well-done and a highlight of the production.

The set is simple, even more so than last year’s “Fiddler on the Roof.” The score, as conducted by Karen Keltner, is energetic and carries the audience in the highlands — though the bagpipers helped, too.

If the UFOC history is summed up in this one production, the future for summer in Logan looks stable and uplifting.

All four productions continue until August 7.