Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (musical): Difference between revisions
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==Synopsis== |
==Synopsis== |
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In 1850 Oregon, Milly meets and marries Adam, who lives in a backwoods cabin with his six brothers. Milly reforms the ill-mannered brothers Benjamin, Caleb, Daniel, Ephraim, Frank, and Gideon. The brothers want wives of their own, |
In 1850 Oregon, Milly meets and marries Adam, who lives in a backwoods cabin with his six brothers. Milly reforms the ill-mannered brothers Benjamin, Caleb, Daniel, Ephraim, Frank, and Gideon. The brothers want wives of their own, and after reading the story of the Sabine Women, they decide to get them by kidnapping. |
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== Productions == |
== Productions == |
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===National Tour and Broadway=== |
===National Tour and Broadway=== |
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Revision as of 03:57, 14 December 2007
| Seven Brides for Seven Brothers | |
|---|---|
| Music | Gene de Paul Joel Hirschhorn |
| Lyrics | Al Kasha Joel Hirschhorn Johnny Mercer |
| Book | Lawrence Kasha David Landay |
| Basis | 1954 film musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers |
| Productions | 1982 Broadway 1985 West End 2002 UK tour 2005 Goodspeed Opera House |
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is a musical based on the 1954 film of the same name. It has a book by Lawrence Kasha and David Landay, music by Gene de Paul, and Joel Hirschhorn, and lyrics by Al Kasha, Joel Hirschhorn and Johnny Mercer.
History
The film Seven Brides for Seven Brothers that the musical is based on is itself an adaption of the short story "The Sobbin' Women," by Stephen Vincent Benét, which in turn is based on the Ancient Roman legend of The Rape of the Sabine Women. The film was directed by Stanley Donen, with a script by Albert Hackett, Frances Goodrich, and Dorothy Kingsley, music by Saul Chaplin and Gene de Paul, and lyrics by Johnny Mercer.
Synopsis
In 1850 Oregon, Milly meets and marries Adam, who lives in a backwoods cabin with his six brothers. Milly reforms the ill-mannered brothers Benjamin, Caleb, Daniel, Ephraim, Frank, and Gideon. The brothers want wives of their own, and after reading the story of the Sabine Women, they decide to get them by kidnapping.
Productions
National Tour and Broadway
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers had a successful national tour and then opened on Broadway at the Alvin Theatre on July 8 1982 after fifteen previews. Directed by Lawrence Kasha and choreographed by Jerry Jackson, the cast included Debby Boone as Milly and David-James Carroll as Adam. It closed on July 11 after only five performances. It received a Tony Award nomination for Best Original Score.
United Kingdom
The musical had a more successful West End production in 1985, and a 2002 UK tour. The 1985 production starred Roni Page and Steve Devereaux, with Peter Bishop, Victoria Lynson, Michaela Strachan, Anna Rees and Tom Barritt, among others, in the supporting cast. It received a cast recording.
Goodspeed Opera House
In 2005, a major revival starring Jacquelyn Piro Donovan and Burke Moseswas staged at the Goodspeed Opera House . Directed by Greg Ganakas with choreography by Patti Colombo, the production earned rave reviews from Variety and the New York Times. Two songs, "Where Were You?" and "I Married Seven Brothers" were added, "Glad That You Were Born" was revised, and the book was heavily rewritten. With a realistic approach, rustic orchestrations and a focus on the Oregon Trail, the show was quite different from its film predecessor. Plans for a 2005-2006 National Tour of this production failed.
2007 Production
In 2007, under the direction of Scott Schwartz, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers became a joint production between Houston Theatre Under the Stars, Paper Mill Playhouse, North Shore Music Theatre, and Atlanta Theatre of the Stars. With set design by Tony Award nominee, Anna Louizos and lighting by Tony Award winner Donald Holder. This production was a hybrid between the literal approach of the Goodspeed production and the slapstick camp of the original film. While reviews were positive, the real attention was given to Patti Colombo's choreography.
Licensed Productions
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is licensed by Music Theatre International for stock and regional use.
Musical Numbers
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"One Man", "Love Never Goes Away", "The Townsfolk's Lament", " A Woman Ought To Know Her Place", "We Gotta Make It Through The Winter", "Spring Dance", and "Glad That You Were Born" were written by Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn for the musical. "Bless Your Beautiful Hide", "Wonderful Wonderful Day", "Goin' Courtin'", and "Sobbin' Women" are from the 1954 film and written by Gene de Paul and Johnny Mercer.