Searching For Brigadoon

by Gary R. Dobson

"Chapter Two"

As Rory sat in the darkened theater, awaiting the appearance on stage of Shona Leigh MacKenzie, he quickly reviewed the story of "Brigadoon" in his mind. While the orchestra of The Royal Haligonian Theater soared through the tune, "Once In The Highlands," Rory visualized Gene Kelly and Van Johnson, in the film version, staring through the mists gracing the mythical village of Brigadoon. There, the "two weary travelers who had lost their way" would encounter the citizens of a town that appeared but one day, every hundred years.

In time, "Tommy," played in the film by Gene Kelly, would fall in love with the dazzling and effervescent, Fiona. In order to remain with Fiona, however, Tommy must decide to stay in Brigadoon forever. If anyone left the village, the spell would be broken and the charming hamlet would cease to exist. Tommy finally realizes that his undying love for Fiona is everything to him and so decides to remain in Brigadoon for eternity.

Rory had always found "Brigadoon" to be an enchanting story. Just prior to his breakup with Cynthia, he had purchased a videotape copy of the film. One evening, in front of a gently burning fireplace, while sharing a bottle of a very expensive Merlot, Rory and his lady, began to watch the movie. He had hoped the charming love story and cozy surroundings would put Cynthia in the mood for a night of romance. She had, however, seemed very distant and distracted and failed say a word to him throughout the viewing of the film. A few weeks later, the lady he had first met in high school, walked out of his life.

As the stage curtains of The Royal Haligonian Theater were silently raised, a chorus of singers, out of view of the audience, began singing, "Brigadoon, Brigadoon, blooming under sable skies..." The townspeople began to awaken from their 100 year sleep and Rory’s thoughts of Cynthia faded off into the mists surrounding Brigadoon. Shona Leigh MacKenzie, in the role of Fiona, would soon be making her entrance.

The carpenters and artists of The Arcadians, Nova Scotia’s renowned theatrical group, had constructed exceptional replicas of the sets used in the movie. Rory found himself fully immersed in the play and transported into the magic of the story. On stage, Tommy and his friend, Jeff, began striding towards Brigadoon’s town square.

As Tommy and Jeff exited the scene, the most stunningly beautiful woman Rory David Munro had ever seen came into view and began to sing "Waitin’ For My Dearie." The non-stop pounding of Rory’s heart seemed to echo through the theater as he sought to regain his composure while gazing on the exquisite vision being presented before his astonished eyes. As Shona MacKenzie caressed the gentle lyrics of the Lerner and Lowe tune, the audience smiled in great appreciation of her undeniable talent.

Shona Leigh MacKenzie was raised in Saint John, New Brunswick and had begun showing her acting talents in productions put on by her high school drama clubs. From the first time she set foot on stage and played the role of Guenevere in Camelot, it was obvious that the pretty, satin toned singer and actress would have a successful career in theater, if she so desired. The rising starlet, with a shining mane of luxurious red hair, stunned all who watched her performances. Virtually all who were treated to Shona’s talents believed that the young lady would go on to become a professional actress of great note. Shona’s mother and father, however, knew better. Their daughter’s goal was to be a veterinarian and one day, take over her father’s practice. Her love for all living things ensured that Shona would walk away from the stage if it meant giving up her dream to become a veterinarian. Nothing would dissuade her from this course.

Following a move to Halifax, her father established a new practice and quickly became the most popular veterinarian in the area. After graduating, with honors, from high school, Shona ventured off to one of Canada’s most respected universities where she majored in veterinary sciences. While attending school, she decided to join the campus theatrical group. Once again, her talents were enthusiastically applauded when she appeared in a slew of musical productions. Even though she reveled in the accolades presented to her, Shona remained committed to her dream of tending to the medical needs of Halifax’s cats, dogs and other furry creatures.

Shona graduated at the top of her class and then traveled to Scotland where she spent two months living with her grandfather in Glasgow and exploring the countryside. After having learned a great deal about the beauty and culture of the land, she returned to Halifax and went into partnership with her father. In time, her skills as a veterinarian became widely respected and admired throughout the region.

At 28, she married an architect who promised to love her for all of his life and straight through to eternity. The union lasted but 8 years. Shona’s heart had been broken by the extra-marital antics of her roving husband and in an effort to raise her spirits, she decided to join The Arcadians, a local theatrical group. Her first role with the troupe was as Maria in The Sound of Music. Once again, Shona’s talents were heralded and she was acclaimed throughout the province. Two years later, her father died in a boating accident and Shona left the theater, for a time, in order to devote full attention to the veterinary practice.

Eventually, Shona formed a partnership with Cathy Morgan, a friend from university. Soon afterwards, the director of The Arcadians asked Shona to appear as Fiona in the group’s production of "Brigadoon." She jumped at the chance. MacKenzie had always reveled in the story of "Brigadoon" and the dream that true love did exist somewhere on this earth, if only in a fantasy. She returned to the stage and began to delight audiences with her portrayal of Fiona.

As Shona MacKenzie finished delivering a charming rendition of, "Waitin’ For My Dearie," Rory David Munro found himself shaking his head in amazement at what he’d just seen and heard. Not only was MacKenzie a very talented actress, complete with a honey kissed singing voice, but she carried herself with great style, poise and a zest for life as well. Munro was overpowered by Shona’s theatrical talents and unmistakable beauty.

The scene now shifted to MacConnachy Square where the two "weary travelers" from America encountered many of Brigadoon’s citizens who were preparing to celebrate the upcoming nuptials of Fiona’s sister and her husband to be. Rory scarcely paid attention to the show stopping tune, "I’ll Go Home With Bonnie Jean," as his thoughts were full of Shona Leigh MacKenzie and the brilliant glow she had filled the auditorium with.

Rory was transfixed every time Shona appeared on stage. When she performed a majestic ballet to the song, "Heather On The Hill," he fell even deeper under Shona’s artistic spell. As she delighted the audience with her tender and gentle ways towards, Tommy, Rory dreamed, instead, that she was cooing directly to him. Still, Rory did his very best to convince himself that he was overreacting to the charming presence of Shona Leigh MacKenzie and would get over his new found passion when the play concluded.

When it came time for Tommy to decide if he would choose to remain forever in Brigadoon with the enchanting Fiona, or return to the world he had known, Rory knew what his own decision would be. Each time he had viewed the film, he realized that the kind of all encompassing love a woman like Fiona could bless him with would make his life complete. To be so majestically in love would be worth more to Rory than anything he could imagine.

On the stage of The Royal Haligonian Theater, Fiona stood at the bridge, leading out of Brigadoon, and watched Tommy walk off into the mists. For a moment, Rory dreamed he was standing before Shona MacKenzie, gently telling her that he’d never leave Brigadoon and would remain with her, forever. As the lush strings of the orchestra filled the theater with a melancholy crescendo of emotions, Rory saw tears glistening in Shona’s eyes. At that moment, he could see directly into her heart and knew she wasn’t putting on a performance. Her pain was true.

As the mists began to, once again, envelope Brigadoon, Fiona whispered, "’til the end of our days, Tommy, the end of our days." Then she disappeared from view. A dagger of loss suddenly struck deep into Rory’s heart as he relived Cynthia’s departure. In the sudden darkness of the auditorium, Rory’s soul heard the slamming of an apartment door as his once great love walked out of his life, thrusting him into a realm of rejection.

Fighting the impulse to let his feelings of despair pour forth, he closed his eyes and allowed the momentary silence in the theater to carry him to a place where he’d never have to be without love again. In the solitude of his soul, the lady of his destiny wouldn’t fade off into the mists. Together they would find Brigadoon and live the miracle of perfect love forever. "Till the end of our days, Rory, the end of our days."

The sounds of a blaring New York bar scene crashed through Rory’s senses and he returned his attention to what was taking place on stage. Tommy was trying to listen to his fiancee describe how their life would be, now that he had come back from Scotland. Even while she was droning on, regarding their search for a new home, Tommy could only hear the blissful voice of his beautiful Fiona whispering to his heart. "I love you, Tommy, I love you." As Rory gazed upon the scene, his lips silently murmured, "I need you, my love, God how I need you."

As the final scene of the play began to unfold, Tommy and his friend, Jeff, stared off into the ethereal beauty of the highlands. Tommy, having finally decided that he could not live without Fiona, had returned to Scotland in a desperate attempt to be in Brigadoon, once again.

Believing that his mission was doomed to failure, Tommy uttered "why do people have to lose things to find out what they really mean?" At that moment, the haunting sounds of "Brigadoon, Brigadoon, blooming under sable skies..." were heard in the distance and the mists begin to clear. Anticipating the glory of what was about to happen, Rory imagined he was running towards Brigadoon, praying he would find his lady, his dreams, his future.

Tommy darted across the bridge, leading into Brigadoon, where he was met by the village leader. The kindly gentleman intoned, "you should’na be too surprised, Tommy. I told you when you love someone deeply enough, anything is possible, even miracles." Just then, Fiona came running across the stage, held out her arms and joined Tommy in their destiny. Rory was overcome by the vision of exquisite beauty and love offered by Shona Leigh MacKenzie. He too was in Brigadoon and Shona had given him a precious gift. She had given him hope.

"In my valley, there’ll be love," sang the chorus as the stage lights came up and the audience leapt to its feet with an eruption of thunderous applause. Shona entered from stage left and a crescendo of "bravos" filled the auditorium. Rory led the audience in a round of curtain calls as Shona was presented with a bouquet of majestically crimson roses that didn’t come close to replicating the beauty of the lady. For but a moment, Rory thought that Shona was staring directly into his eyes, smiling so gently and privately, just for him.

Finally, the audience began to depart the theater. Rory inched his way toward the door, eventually emerging onto the sidewalk where he began drifting back to The Grande Highlander Hotel. Every step of the way, his thoughts were consumed with what had taken place over the past few hours.

As he entered the hotel lobby, Rory tried to convince himself that Shona MacKenzie’s remarkable talents and the wonderful story of Brigadoon were what had truly impressed him. In his heart, however, he knew the feelings of sheer passion and need flowing through his soul were a result of much more than appreciation for a wonderful actress and theatrical production.

By the time Rory David Munro walked into his hotel room, he knew he had to find a way to meet Shona Leigh MacKenzie. He must get to know the lady who had spoken to his heart through her eyes and beauty. Perhaps she held the key to Brigadoon and his search might finally be over?

(Gary loves to hear from his readers so please email him)

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