Date: Fri 07-Jun-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: KAAREN

Illustration: C

Location: A-10

Quick Words:

Gateway's-Seven-Brides-Brother

Full Text:

(rev "Seven Brides/Seven Brothers" @Gateway's, 6/7/96)

Theatre Review-

Love Is In The Air At Gateway's

(with photo)

By Kaaren Valenta

Gateway's Candlewood Playhouse is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its New

Fairfield Theatre with a foot-stomping, rafter-raising season premier of Seven

Brides For Seven Brothers .

Set in Oregon in the 1850s, this stage version of the MGM blockbuster of the

same name tells the tale of what happens when the seven Pontipee brothers -

who are long on rasslin' and short on savoir faire - find that their presence

at a mass shotgun wedding is requested by a bevy of brides and their

determined fathers. That's because the brothers, impatient to get wives, have

kidnapped the ladies and managed to keep them all winter after an avalanche

seals their cabin off from the pursuing townspeople.

Still, despite the seemingly risque theme, Seven Brides is definitely family

fare, the stage version of the theater's "G" rating. It's Little House on the

Prairie -style entertainment with high-stepping dance hijinks and a rousing

score that includes songs like "Goin' Courting" and "Bless Your Beautiful

Hide." There's nothing here that you can't take the kids or great-grandma to.

The choreography by director Bob Durkin and Mitzi Hamilton is outstanding,

particularly those numbers danced exclusively by six of the brothers such as

"Lonesome Polecat" and "Sobbin' Women." In "Lonesome Polecat," the graceful

moves by ax-wielding, wood-chopping Keith Andrews are more ballet than hoedown

and provide an appealing contrast to the rollicking barn-dance numbers.

The plot is a takeoff on the mail-order bride custom of the early West. But

here the oldest of the Pontipee brothers, Adam (played by David Jordan) simply

travels from his mountain cabin to the nearest town to pick up supplies and

get a wife at the same time. He proposes to Milly (Jill Colgan), the first

sturdy-looking, hard working girl he meets and she accepts, not realizing

there are six more at home, all needing a cook, laundress and housekeeper.

The fact that Milly doesn't storm out when she discovers the truth, but

instead stays and tries to teach some etiquette to this rough bunch, would

strain the credulity of any audience. But this pure lighthearted

entertainment, an escape from the reality of everyday modern life to a time

when relationships and life were much less complex.

Jill Colgan and David Jordan give fine performances. Jordan has an outstanding

voice; Colgan is appealing in such numbers as "Beautiful, Beautiful Day."

Early in the performance, the personalities of each of the brothers becomes

apparent. Gideon, the youngest, played by Justin Golmak, is winsome as he

bears the brunt of his brothers' good-natured jibes. Tom J. Schaller is

memorable as Benjamin. Among the brides, Mia Price, who plays the sassy

Dorcas, is quick to win the audience's affection. Ray Cupples plays the

preacher, a role that does not provide much opportunity for this fine actor to

show his stuff.

Costume designer Kim Brown has produced a lively ensemble of folksy outfits

for the cast.

There are a few unique aspects to this Brides . On opening night, Simon

Matthews, the playhouse's sound designer, and Stephanie Reid were married on

stage by Danbury Mayor Gene Eriquez. And two members of the cast, Kevin L.

Frady, who plays brother Daniel, and Jennifer McCord-Frady, one of the brides,

are husband and wife in real life as well.

Seven Brides For Seven Brothers continues through June 8 at Gateway's

Candlewood Playhouse, Route 39 in New Fairfield. It will be followed by Evita

, which originally was slated to run June 12-29 but because of booming ticket

sales, has already been extended through July 7. Crazy For You will be staged

July 31 to August 17; and Variety Scandals , August 21 through September 7.

Performances are Wednesday at 2 and 8 pm, Thursday at 8, Friday at 8:30,

Saturday 5 and 9, and Sunday at 7. Tickets are $19 to $25; dinner theater

packages $34 to $43.50. For reservations, call 746-4441.