PREVIEW Artistic director raves over 'Seven Brides' cast

All of the elements of a great musical are there, the artistic director said.
By L. CROW
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
AKRON -- "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers," a musical based on the 1954 film starring Howard Keel and Jane Powell, has just opened its run at the Carousel Dinner Theater in Akron. Sean Cercone, artistic director at Carousel, describes it as "the last great classic musical."
"In looking at the whole season, we try to choose a variety of shows, from classics to new, to those that people maybe haven't seen before," he said. "This show was made popular by the film, but wasn't made into a Broadway musical until the early '80s. By that time, the landscape of musical theater was changing because of productions like Lloyd Webber's 'Cats.' 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' is the epitome of the great American classical musical because it tells a good story through drama, music, dance, lighting, costumes -- it has all the elements."
The story takes place in the backwoods of Oregon in 1850. Adam and Millie fall head over heels in love, but Millie soon discovers she not only has her new husband to take care of, but his six rowdy brothers, who all live in the same cabin. She is determined to get them married off, but instead, they kidnap six women to take as their brides.
Memorable choreography
In the original film, one of its most memorable aspects was the choreography of Michael Kidd, and his ability to transform activities into dances, from chopping wood to barn raising. This has carried over into the musical version.
"Kidd's choreography is extremely athletic, fun and enthusiastic, in the brothers' battle over the women, and especially the wonderful barn-raising scene," Cercone said. "It depicts a typical barn raising of the time. The whole community got together, not only to build a barn, but for a big party, with food, dancing and courting."
Cercone raves about the talented cast: "Many of them have Broadway credits, and we even have one who is an Olympic gymnast. It is a testimonial to this theater that we are drawing greater and greater talent," he said. "The director, Chet Walker, was the person who originally conceived the very successful Broadway hit 'Fosse.'"
Walker also has performed on Broadway in "Pippin," "Sweet Charity" and has directed "La Cage aux Folles," "Chicago" and "Kiss of the Spider Woman," to name a few.
"This is a musical the whole family will enjoy," Cercone added. "Older members of the audience will remember watching the film, maybe with their grandparent, but even many of the thirty-something group have probably seen it, because it is a film that gets replayed all the time, especially now with access to cable channels that play these old classic movies."
Cercone said the reactions of the audience have been enthusiastic. "As they leave the theater, they are saying, 'Now that's a musical!'"
X"Seven Brides" runs through April 29. Showtimes are Tuesday through Thursday, 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 8:30 p.m.; Sunday, 5 p.m.; Wednesday and Saturday matinees, 2 p.m. Dining begins two hours before shows. Call (330) 724-9855 for ticket information.