The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Brigadoon actress Virginia Bosler, 93
The American actress and dancer Virginia Bosler reprised her most famous role as Jean MacLaren in Brigadoon more than 1,000 times during the course of her 93 years.
Time and again, the star – who died in a hospice at Seaport Village, near San Diego – took to the stage on Broadway and on tour to reprise her iconic role in the hugely popular Lerner and Loewe musical.
Born on September 23 1926, in Newton, Massachusetts, she began dancing when she was aged seven.
Her stage career began in 1946 when, at 19, she performed in the national tour of the Harold Arlen- EY Harburg musical Bloomer Girl, choreographed by Agnes De Mille.
The following spring, Mrs Bosler made her Broadway debut in what would be a career-defining role as Jean in the original cast of the Alan
Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe classic Brigadoon, which was also choreographed by de Mille.
She performed in the show for 18 months on Broadway, followed by a year on the national tour.
She also recreated the character in every New York revival up to, and including, the 1962- 63 production.
And the actress was the only original cast member to be invited to appear in the 1954 film adaptation of Brigadoon starring Gene Kelly, Van Johnson and Cyd Charisse.
During her early years, her trademark waist-length, wavy brown hair saw her stand out and become a favourite dancer of Agnes De Mille.
She went on to perform for the 1955 film edition of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! as well as in the 1956 live television adaptation of Bloomer
Girl, both choreographed by de Mille.
Mrs Bosler finally retired from the stage in 1963, after performing her signature role in Brigadoon well over 1,000 times.
A second career as a professional dance notator – transcribing dance and ballet choreography in print – followed from 1981 until 1991.
She then took up teaching yoga, aged 70, in 1996.
She married Hubert A Doris, a professor, in 1956, and the couple adopted two children – Alexander and Julia.
Mrs Bosler is survived by her daughter and five grandchildren.