Beverly, MA: The award winning North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) continues the 2007 season with a rambunctious new production of SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS. This fresh new take, based on the MGM blockbuster film of the same name, includes a revised script, new orchestrations, and some of the most energetic and acrobatic dancing ever to be seen on the NSMT stage. SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS runs May 29 - June 17, 2007, with Press Night on May 31 at 7:30 pm.
NSMT is proud to join forces with two leading regional theaters, Theater Under the Stars in Houston, Texas and Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey for this co-production which is already receiving raves across the country.
"With a cast of multitalented players who sing and dance their hearts out, the show offers nonstop pleasure," - The New York Times
"Rollicking and tuneful! Exuberant family entertainment!" - Variety
"This ‘feel good', all new presentation of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers brilliantly combines all elements that superb theater represents." - New York Daily News
"I am thrilled to bring this exuberant and stunningly choreographed musical to the NSMT stage," said Jon Kimbell, NSMT's Artistic Director and Executive Producer. "At NSMT, our mission is to celebrate, perpetuate and invigorate the art of musical theatre and with Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, we have transformed a classic musical and reinvigorated it for today's audiences."
Set in 1850's Oregon territory, SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS tells the story of Adam and his brothers' pursuit for brides. Adam, the eldest of seven brothers, goes to town to get a wife and convinces a young woman named Milly to marry him that same day. They return to his backwoods home, only for Milly to discover that all six of Adam's brothers also live in the log cabin. She sets out to reform the ill-mannered siblings, who are anxious to get wives of their own. Then, Adam develops an inspired solution to his brothers' loneliness...kidnap the women they want!
This high energy comedy features an all new design and a revised book by Lawrence Kasha and David S. Landay. The score, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer, Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn and music by Gene de Paul, Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn, includes the new songs "I Married Seven Brothers" and "Where Were You," which have been added to this production. The score also features all-time favorites such as "Bless Your Beautiful Hide," "Love Never Goes Away," and "Wonderful, Wonderful Day."
SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS stars Michelle Dawson and Edward Watts as Milly and Adam, who are at the center of this rambunctious musical love story. Michelle Dawson has appeared on Broadway in Ragtime, Showboat, and Cyrano The Musical, and has been a part of the national tours of The Secret Garden, The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Annie. Edward Watts was Joe in The Most Happy Fella and has appeared in leading roles in many regional theaters, including Goodspeed Opera, Baltimore Centerstage, Music Theatre of Witchita, Marriott Lincolnshire, and Stages St Louis.
The supporting cast of SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS features Margot de la Barre (Martha), Randy Bobish (Benjamin), Christian Delcroix (Gideon), Stephanie Fittro (Sarah), Christina Rae Hedrick (Dorcas), Sarah Marie Jenkins (Alice), Travis Kelley (Ephraim), Luke Longacre (Caleb), Kate Marilley (Ruth), Denise Payne (Liza), Eric Sciotto (Frank), and Karl Warden (Daniel).
The 27-person ensemble also includes Jason Babinsky, Becky Barta, Ryan Christopher Chotto, Cameron Henderson, Nathan Hershberger, Andy Paterson, Benjie Randall, Luke Rawlings, Dan Sharkey, Tina Stafford, and Nick Sullivan. Swings will be Shane Rhoades and Tiffany Sudol.
The creative team for SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS includes Scott Schwartz (Director), Patti Colombo (Choreographer), Tom Helm (Musical Director), Eric Sciotto (Assistant Choreographer), Anna Louizos (Scenic Designer), Jess Goldstein (Costume Designer), Donald Holder (Lighting Designer), Charles LaPointe (Original Wig & Hair Design), Sam Davis (Dance Music Arrangements), J. Allen Duddeth (Fight Director), Bethany Ford (Production Stage Manager), Rob Rucinski (Assistant Musical Director), and Alison Franck (Casting).
Tickets for SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS are priced from $70 to $35. Senior and youth discounts and rush tickets are available. Performances are May 29 - June 17, 2007, Tue - Thurs at 7:30pm, Fri & Sat at 8pm, matinees Wed at 1:30pm, Sat and Sun at 2pm. For tickets: www.nsmt.org, (978) 232-7200, or in person at 62 Dunham Rd. Beverly, MA 01915. SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS is sponsored in part by the Boston Marriott Peabody. Comcast is the presenting sponsor of 2007 Musical Theater season.
Free Audience Enrichment events: Meet the Theatre: post show audience discussion with the artists on 6/5 and 6/6 after the 7:30 pm performance and 6/16 after the 2 pm performance; Spotlight on History, a free pre-show discussion focusing on historical issues related to the performance on 6/10; Out at the North Shore, an evening for the Gay and Lesbian Community with a post show reception on 6/14.
Operating since 1955, NSMT has evolved into the largest non-profit producing theater in New England, with approximately 350,000 patrons annually. NSMT has gained a national and regional reputation for artistic achievement, specifically in the areas of developing new works and providing outstanding theater arts and education programs. NSMT has received numerous industry awards including IRNE Awards, the Elliot Norton Award, the Rosetta Le Noire Award from Actors' Equity, and the Moss Hart Award. NSMT annually produces a six musical subscription series, a production of A Christmas Carol and an acclaimed concert series. With its celebrated Theater for Young Audiences program, a school touring program, and year-round classes for children, NSMT has become one of the region's leading providers of theater arts and education.
