I would also make a distinction in the tone of the 2 shows. Even with the socio/political edge, Finian's mostly presents its fantasy element with a knowing wink (something certainly aided by Harburg's whimsical lyrics), but to me, Brigadoon attempts to take itself more seriously as a more dramatic form of "musical comedy." (Which perhaps makes the problems in Brigadoon even odder lol.)
Even though, perhaps ironically, Brigadoon has the more tour-de-force comic song in "My Mother's Wedding Day" - as fun and charming and funny as "When I'm Not Near The Girl I Love" is, it, um, can't hold a candle to the razzle-dazzle of "Wedding Day." ;-) |
