Wilkes-barre

Acceptable, Unacceptable Deficit Spending 
U.s. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-california, Has Proposed That Any Balanced 
Budget Amendment Explicitly Exclude Social Security And Capital Expenditures.

By WALTER S. MITCHELL JR.; Times Leader Correspondent
 Friday, February 24, 1995 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1C 





The legend of "Brigadoon" reappeared last weekend. This time, the fantasy
Scottish village came to life on Hughes Street in Swoyersville, where a lively
bunch named the Music Box Players offered up an enjoyable version of the Alan
Jay Lerner/Frederick Loewe classic. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 There were no weak members in this talented ensemble, but some performances
deserve special mention. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Veteran John Owen Kennedy was never better as the soon-to-be-married
Charlie Dalrymple. His pitch-perfect tenor combined with abundant enthusiasm
made "I'll Go Home with Bonnie Jean" one of the best numbers of the show.
Kennedy was also at the top of his game in "Come to Me, Bend to Me." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Larry Vojtko starred as Tommy Albright, the love-struck New Yorker who
falls hard for Fiona, ably played by Katherine Leahy. Leahy's best work came
in "Waitin' for My Dearie," a charming blend enhanced by a strong female
chorus. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Leahy and Vojtko teamed nicely in "The Heather on the Hill," but both
needed more variety and sensitivity in "From This Day On." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Cynthia Millington pulled off the part of Meg Brockie, the female comedy
lead, without a hitch. Because of its fast pace and demanding stage movement,
"My Mother's Wedding Day" is the show's most difficult number, but Millington
breezed through with dynamism and poise. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Visiting director Jean McClay from Easton designed an effective production,
particularly as the characters were introduced during the major opening
number, "Down on MacConnachy Square." Joseph Gilbert stood out as Sandy
MacGregor, with a strong voice and consistently high stage energy. Others in
the supporting cast were not as effective. Dawn Korus needed more projection,
with both her singing and her dialogue; and E.T. Goman seemed to move in and
out of his Scottish accent. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Michael Gallagher was solid as Mr. Lundie, Brigadoon's elder statesman. His
set was functional and appropriate, especially the trees on moveable flats,
implying a changing terrain. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 McClay deserves plaudits for keeping her cast upbeat, and most cues were
picked up quickly. But in her quest for crispness, McClay missed several
opportunities to help her cast bring out more emotion. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Scottish jig-based choreography by Millington seemed laborious, but the
dancers may have been impeded by their heavy costumes, designed by K.D. Love.
Conductor Linda McClosky Houck, husband Dale and Louis Piazza sounded like
much more than a three-piece orchestra. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The production continues this weekend and next. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Brigadoon," a musical. Music Box Dinner Playhouse, 196 Hughes St.,
Swoyersville. Feb. 24-26, and March 2-4. Showtimes: Thursday-Saturday, dinner
at 6:30 p.m., curtain at 8 p.m.; Sunday, dinner at 2 p.m., curtain at 3:15
p.m. 283-2195. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

`brigadoon' Is Close To Pitch-perfect