Seven Brides for Seven Brothers to run April 25, 26 and 28
If you like singing, dancing, and physical comedy, "Seven Brides" is for you!
Grace High School students have been putting the final touches on preparations for their production of “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” which will begin its three day run on Friday at 7:00 p.m. at the Gem Valley Performing Arts Center. The show will run at the same time on Saturday and Monday. Kids under 5 are free, student tickets are $5, and adult tickets are $10.
The classic American musical has been beloved on the American scene ever since 1954, when it appeared first as a film. The story loosely follows the ancient Greek story of the Sabine Women, with a setting updated to the Oregon frontier of the 1850s. The story is part conventional romantic comedy, part reverse “May Fair Lady,” part prank war, and all large-scale choreography. One of the guiding principles of original choreographer Michael Kidd’s vision was to create plausible dance numbers out of the ordinary tasks and sounds of pioneer life. Like most things, finding dancers that look like they aren’t really dancers but who can nonetheless dance better than actual dancers is a worthy endeavor, and based on the rehearsals held last week, things are coming together nicely.
The romantic leads for the play are Kate Williams as Milly and Carson Reeves as Pontipee. The Brothers are played by Case Williams (Bejamin), Taygen Peck (Caleb), Jack Eddins (Daniel), Wilson Robbins (Ephraim), Landry Crane (Frank), Axel Hubbard (Gideon). The Brides are played by Skyla Cloud (Dorcus), Aleaha Medina (Ruth), Tyelor Turner (Liza), Josie Fox (Martha), Bailey Mickelson (Sarah), Trinity Corder (Alice). The Suitors are played by Landon Moss (Nathan), Bently Peck (Luke), Parker Yost (Matt), Jax Corbett (Joel), Hank Thomas (Zeke), Trey Thomas (Jeb). Other actors include Carter Robinson (Preacher), Kylie Humphreys (Preacher’s Wife), Darhaa, Colin Draper (Mr. Hoallum), Faith Smit (Mrs. Hoallum), Lexi Coburn (Mrs. Sander), Luke Moss (Mr. Sander), River Jorgenson, Charly Ambrosek, Aspen Thomas, Vesica Eiman, Kirynn Crosbie, Blayr Peterson, Holland Ball.
The play is directed by Grace High’s Eli Hubbard, and the production team includes Velvet Hubbard, Grady Hubbard on sound, Dela Hubbard on lights, and a tech crew composed of Zak Smith, Norma Tedrow, Josie Johnson, and Mitchel McCurdy. Andy Berg and the art classes painted the backdrops. Stephen Brady built the sets. While the rehearsal I attended was not a dress rehearsal, I can attest that the backdrops and sets are very impressive, and attendees are in for a treat in terms of stage performance, with a large cast and an ambitiously staged series of musical and dance numbers!
