At the town’s restaurant, Adam manages to impress Milly Bradon, a spunky waitress, when he stands up to an unruly customer in her defense. She thanks Adam, and he decides to ask her to marry him. Milly agrees. When Adam has gone, the other young women (Dorcas, Ruth, Martha, Liza, Sarah, and Alice) in town worry that she is marrying Adam only just having met him (Wonderful, Wonderful Day). Adam returns with the Preacher, and they are married.

Adam and Milly have arrived at her new home deep in the woods. The house is a mess, and Milly discovers that it is not going to be just her and her husband in a romantic cabin in the woods, but his six untamed brothers as well: Benjamin, Caleb, Daniel, Ephraim, Frank (Frankincense), and Gideon. Milly contemplates leaving, but eventually decides to tough it out (I Married Seven Brothers). Later that evening, she accuses Adam of just wanting a housekeeper, not a wife, but Adam convinces her of his good and loving intentions.

In the morning, the six brothers try to find their clothes, but Milly has done all the laundry. Milly sees how unruly the brothers are and attempts to teach them manners hoping that they will find brides (Goin’ Courting). Before long, the brothers are transformed into gentlemen.

At the town social to celebrate the fall harvest, the Pontipee brothers are not well received. Soon there is a challenge on the dance floor (The Challenge Dance). The brothers try to keep their promise of no fighting, but retaliate when a townsman punches Adam. Back at home, Milly scolds Adam for encouraging the brothers to fight.

Gideon confesses to Adam that he was taken with Alice, one of the brides at the dance (Love Never Goes Away). For the next month, the brothers mope around the house wishing to see their brides. Adam tells his brothers that they should do as the Romans did with the Sabine women; go to town and take their girls with no questions asked (Sobbin’ Women). The brothers are inspired and head into town.

Act II
Adam and his brothers capture all the brides. They manage to escape from town and guarantee that no one can come after them until spring with some quick thinking (Suitors’ Lament). Milly is outraged. She demands the girls be taken back. The brothers have forgotten the Preacher and must wait until spring to marry. Milly informs the brothers that they must sleep in the barn, while the girls remain in the house. Adam argues with Milly, but she stands up to him and will not let him or his brothers into the house all winter. Now angry, Adam leaves his family for a remote winter cabin the mountains (Where Were You?).

Winter passes, with Adam still gone and the brothers in the barn (We Gotta Make It Through the Winter). One morning, the brothers go to the brides with a peace offering of hand made gifts. It is obvious the brides are similarly taken with them, but Milly insists that they continue to be separated. She tells the brides she is pregnant and is sad that Adam is not around. The brides are excited and express their wishes to stay and marry the brothers (We’ve Got to Make It Through the Winter/Lonesome Polecat).

Spring comes, and the couples are together. Gideon goes to find Adam at the winter cabin, but he refuses to return home, even though Milly has given birth to a baby girl (Where Was She?). Adam is angry that his brothers have allowed Milly to change them. Back at the house, Milly sings to her baby, and all the couples gather around her (Glad That You Were Born). Adam returns finally, and the brides are unhappy to learn that the time has come for them to return home. Adam and Milly confess they have missed each other (Love Never Goes Away – reprise).

The brothers do not want to return the brides. Adam tells them that returning the girls is the only way to make things right. However, the girls have run away. Meanwhile, the townspeople are finally able to come to the home, and they are furious. The Pontipee brothers and their brides must come up with a way to stay together, as the townspeople close in (Wonderful, Wonderful Day – reprise).