By Katie Flaniken
Vernal Theatre: LIVE in Vernal, UT is back for its third season with Seven Brides for Seven Brothers; a truly hilarious and entertaining stage musical based on the 1954 film of the same title. Vernal Theatre: LIVE does not disappoint. I grew up watching the classic movie, and have seen the stage production many a time, (I’ve even performed in it once), and though I might be growing older, I assure you, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers will never outgrow its charm, wit, and sass.
Set in 1850’s Oregon, a proud and tough son-of-a-gun, Adam Pontipee (Mike Gamble), is on the hunt for a bride. Though it’s clear that he is not welcome in the nearby town, he still manages to land himself a wife. But his new bride, the strong and feisty Millie (Rachel Wells), is going to give him and his six younger brothers more trouble than he bargained for. Trouble is brewing for Millie as well, as she did not realize that she was essentially marrying seven men instead of just one. Millie sets about teaching this group of rough-and-tumble brothers that a woman’s touch really is the thing every man needs. She gives them lessons in manners, etiquette, and even dancing during the number “Goin’ Courtin’.” These completely foreign concepts create some magnificent and hilarious physical comedy moments between the brothers. Trying to act tough, Frank (Dawson Norton) refuses to hold his brother’s hand, even in pretend, and Gideon (Peter Nielson) struggles to dance without a partner as he is repeatedly and brutally run over by his elder brothers as they stumble through the steps.
All it takes is a single “Social Dance” in town for the men to fall in love with the pretty young women. Young women that are already spoken for, I might add. In a highly energetic and entertaining dance scene, the brothers fight over the fair maidens with their existing suitors. Try as they might to be on their best behavior, a brawl breaks out onstage and the menfolk leave town nursing their wounds, but mostly their aching hearts.
In attempt to bolster the brothers’ spirits, Adam creates a plan. Based on a story in one of Millie’s books, The Sabine Women, or “Sobbin’ Women” as he calls ‘em, he proposes that they all go steal those women and bring them back to their home in the mountains. Though the women are definitely sobbin’ as they are kidnapped, it doesn’t take them long before they are pining after the men that Millie banished to the barn.
Gamble’s Adam is spot on as the funny yet stubborn chauvinist. This backward backwoodsman is every bit the bossy older brother that has taken on the role of father in his siblings’ lives. He also proves that growing up with just men around hasn’t done him any favors when it comes to sensitivity. It’s a hard role to pull off, but Gamble is definitely charmingly uncharming in his portrayal as Adam, just as he should be. His interactions with his brothers are genuine and it truly feels like watching a real family on the stage..
Holding her own right alongside Adam is Wells’ Millie. From the beginning of the show, Wells is proving exactly why she deserves to be cast as the female lead. Her sassy, take-no-abuse attitude shows clearly on her face, but also her elation, love, and disappointment. Emoting is definitely a talent of Wells’. However, it is her effortless chemistry, not just with Adam, but with the entire cast that impressed me the most. You can feel her connection with each of the brides and brothers. Every character feels as if they have a long history with Millie and it is exhilarating to watch. Pair her chemistry wizard skills with her strong emotions and her outstanding, clear voice, and this powerhouse woman definitely owns the stage.
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is a show with a series of separate ensembles. You have the ensemble of brothers, the ensemble of brides, of suitors, and of townsfolk. Each of these are vastly different but make up the entire exciting show. In my opinion, an ensemble makes a show, and if one of the four ensembles is weak in this production, it hurts the whole performance. Every group in this show does a spectacular job. The brides and the brothers are often strong in this show as they are the leading ensemble characters, but the suitors and the townsfolk are explosive in their respective scenes. The suitors show off dancing skills to equal, or even rival, the brothers. The beautiful voices of the townsfolk blend so beautifully during “The Townfolk’s Lament,” and the town band, though they stand in the back behind the large dance scenes, are such characters in their bare feet and overalls, that your eyes can’t help but travel to them again and again. These actors prove that there are no small parts and make the show that much better with their subtle but incredible and funny performances.
The brides and the brothers are matched so well. Each had chemistry that sizzled on the stage. This was especially true for three of the pairs, who are cast with their real life spouses. Daniel Jackson and Nashelle Jackson, Jake Harrison and Danni Harrison, and Mike Sorenson and Trisha Sorenson engage in stolen kisses, flirting, and dancing that is so much fun to watch as they grin at each other as if caught up in an inside joke. I caught the Harrisons giggling at each other during one scene, which was especially sweet as tonight was their 15th wedding anniversary. Though not all of the brides are their brother’s real life sweetheart, each pairing seemed full of easy chemistry.
The brothers who start the show not so gently give it their everything. From the singing, to the dancing, to the fight scenes that are so realistic I’m sincerely surprised that no one gets hurt, these actors put their hearts and souls into their characters. And each character is as different as could be. Harrison’s Benjamin is very sweet and sensitive; while Norton’s Frank tries to be manly and tough to compensate for his girly full name, Frankincense. Jackson’s Daniel plays beautiful harmonica and has great physical comedy; Sorenson’s Caleb is adorably and instantly smitten with his bride, and Joseph Harrison’s Ephraim is always at Daniel’s side and seems to almost mirror so many of his movements. Nielson’s performance as the youngest brother, Gideon, is one of my favorites of the entire night. You can see how hard his character is trying to be accepted by his older brothers, but he is often pushed around and is used as comedic relief. However, Neilson’s performance through all of these antics is so pure and honest. I often caught him smiling genuinely at his bride even if she wasn’t the focus of the scene, or grinning at his brothers when no one was noticing. I noticed. And I loved it.
The award for the true show stealers definitely has to go to the brides. In each and every scene they are in, they are drawing your eyes to them. Behind the brothers’ and the suitors’ fight scene, Martha (Megan Pearson) sobs dramatically and Sarah (Jera Haslem) jumps up and down clapping in excitement. Pearson’s Martha and Jackson’s Liza are portrayed by the actresses as sisters, which is fun as the actresses are sisters in real life. Sorenson’s Ruth has one of my favorite reactions after being kidnapped by the boys. While the rest of the sisters are shy, or unsure, or even flirty, Ruth has a scowl on her face as she accepts a gift from Caleb, but then the tiniest of smiles appears as she turns away. Harrison’s Dorcus grabbed my attention with her bold and flirty antics, while Alice, played by Hannah Olsen, plays naive, innocent, and unspeakably adorable better than almost anyone I’ve seen in the role of Alice.
The set design, created by several members of the cast and crew, is wonderful, especially for such a small space. The scenes and details they are able to portray are phenomenal. With actual reclaimed barnwood sets, giant hand-painted mountain landscapes, down to the smallest of details like a cloth banner hung in the background of the barn dance, each scene feels complete and effortlessly pulls you into the scene right along with the players.
Choreography by Nashelle Jackson is incredible. Each dance is crisp and clean, but also big, exciting, and packed with so much energy that you feel like you wanted to jump up onstage and join in the fun. Jackson is able to achieve so much with these amazing actors. I’m not just talking about a few box steps, either. The dancers fly across the stage using lifts and spins worthy of Broadway.
Direction by Jay Haslem did not disappoint. Haslem has a special connection with Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Not only is the show a favorite of his, he has starred as Adam, and this is his second time directing the show. I had the privilege of being part of his first production 10 years ago and knew to expect great things from this director. I was blown away by what he has created on Vernal Theatre’s stage. Haslem has truly outdone himself.
Families are going to love Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. The children in the audience were howling with laughter around me and were thoroughly engaged throughout the entire production. But it wasn’t just the children that had stitches in their sides. I laughed harder than I have laughed in ages and had an almost permanent smile on my face during the whole show. Vernal Theatre: LIVE provides worthwhile community theatre, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is definitely a firecracker start to what is going to be a fantastic third season. I can’t wait to see the show again and I encourage you to come and enjoy yourselves as well. But hurry! Tickets are selling out fast!
Note: this show does have as its premise a kidnapping, so this could be offensive to some.
Vernal Theatre: LIVE presents Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Book by Lawrence Kasha and David Landay, Lyrics by Johnny Mercer, Music by Gene dePaul, New Songs by Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn.
Vernal Theatre: LIVE 40 E. Main St. Vernal, UT 84078
September 14-15, 17, 20-22, 2018 7:00 PM. Doors open at 6:30 PM with pre-show beginning at 6:45 PM.
Tickets: $8-10 (With a $1.00 fee when purchasing at the door)
Contact: 435-219-2987
Awesome review Katie! Thank you FRRU for this service. I just bought my tickets after reading this review and barely in time. Every show is nearly sold out! Vernal Theatre: LIVE has done it again!
It has been an honor working with the Vernal Theatre cast. Many thanks for the gracious review.
Great show! Lots of talent, great singing and acting!!
I took my whole family, and we all enjoyed it! Thanks for the great recommendation!