By Elizabeth James
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers by Salem Community Theatre in Salem, Utah is a fun ensemble of characters—Adam and his six rough-and-tumble brothers, and Millie and her six flirtatious friends. It begins with Adam (Chris Spendlove), a mountain man, coming to town to find a wife. He finds the unsuspecting Millie (Jory Bourne) who agrees to marry him. Unbeknownst to her, Adam has six brothers he expects her to cook for and clean up after. Millie, being the strong-willed-woman she is, takes on the role as homemaker while also teaching the brothers to be gentlemen.
Bourne as Millie is so loveable. When Adam is being insensitive, Bourne’s facial expressions inspire sympathy from the audience. But at the same time, Bourne’s portrayal of Millie is so determined and independent that the audience doesn’t need to worry too much about her, because she clearly can take care of herself.
Millie’s friends are the love interests for the six brothers Millie is caring for. The girls are Dorcas (Heather Brown), Ruth (Elizabeth Crandall), Liza (Sage Lundberg), Martha (Katie Newman), Sarah (Rachelle Hansen), and Alice (Jenna Rhodes). Together they are a sweet gaggle of girls with wildly uncontrollable crushes. Among these, two are particularly notable. R. Hansen as Sarah stands out as a spunky, tom-boyish girl, perfect for the quick-tempered Frank (Kai Hansen). She is hysterical. She always evokes laughter from the audience when she is on stage. Rhodes as Alice is darling. She twirls her skirts and has a cheeky smile that points her out as the most innocent of the group.
The interactions with the brothers are amusing. It’s all rough-and-tumble. The brothers are Adam, Benjamin (Daniel Bradley), Caleb (Mark Crowder), Daniel (Matthew Mason), Ephraim (Marcus Williams), Frank, and Gideon (Brendan Hanks). Their voices meld perfectly to make the songs harmonious. However, it isn’t just the singing that made Seven Brides for Seven Brothers an excellent play; the dancing sequences were my favorite part—I would go again just to see them dance.
Spendlove has the perfect presence to be Adam. Adam is supposed to be misogynistic and proud while still being likeable. Spendlove portrays a perfect balance of these qualities. He has a booming voice and a strong build, perfect for a man who is a self-appointed leader. He also has soft expressions that bid the audience to sympathize with him as well as with Millie. Gideon is the most innocent, yet he is the wisest of the brothers. Hanks is a sweet Gideon. He has a young face and innocent expressions, perfect for his role. Williams as Ephraim stands out, not because he has a role any bigger than, say, Caleb or Daniel, but because of his creative facial expressions. He had me laughing several times throughout the play.
Director Amy McKay has made Seven Brides for Seven Brothers memorable. The performances, staging, lighting, sets, and choreography are unforgettable. It’s sure to become a family favorite. And McKay hasn’t done it alone. Gareet Cassutt (Lighting Designer) is a masterful choreographer of lighting. There are several instances where he uses the lighting to tell the audience where the story is happening. Hats off to Heather Graham (Set Designer) whose sets are expertly crafted. They resonate with real buildings and rooms while still being resourceful designs. I was very impressed.
Kirstie Lambson is a master at costume design. Her designs make it easier to keep track of the brothers and the girls, which is important with such a large cast. The costumes also make the dancing scenes livelier and more vibrant. Rachel Blackford and Martina Jorgensen have choreographed fun, energetic dances. The choreography is one of the most unforgettable parts of the whole play. Blackford and Jorgensen incorporate the individual talents of the actors which creates a fun variety in some of the dance sequences.
The whole team of Salem Community Theatre has come together to make Seven Brides for Seven Brothers a family favorite. It’s hilarious and enchanting; it will not soon be forgotten. It stands out as bright, energetic, and meaningful. There are two casts for this musical which perform on different days, and I only saw one of them. Please go see it. It’s worth it.
Salem Community Theatre presents Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Book by Lawrence Kasha and David S. Landay, Music by Gene De Paul, Lyrics by Johnny Mercer
Salem Hills High School, 150 Skyhawk Blvd, Salem, UT 84653
July 25-August 1, 7:00 PM
Tickets: $8-10
Salem Community Theatre Website
Salem Community Theatre Facebook Page
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Facebook Event
0 Comments