FCLO’s production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers shows why big
stage L.A. regional theater has become the best around. Based on the
50s Hollywood musical movie smash, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers has
the most spectacular choregraphy (by director Sha Newman) and
dancing (by its cast of 2 dozen) I've seen in a long time. The ovation
following the "Social Dance" number went on as long as if not longer
than any I've ever heard.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is of course based on the MGM movie
musical classic, which starred Howard Keel as Adam, a mountain man
with seven frisky brothers, and Jane Powell as Milly, the young woman he
marries after a whirlwind (=maybe a couple hours long) courtship.  Milly
attempts to teach his seven bros manners, but impatient students that
they are, the boys end up rustling the girls of their dreams as if they were
cattle.  (Yes, it’s a bit sexist, but the boys become good feminists in the
end.)

FCLO’S production recreates the Technicolor magic of the MGM
original, which included the memorable Johnny Mercer and Gene
DePaul song hits Bless Your Beautiful Hide, Wonderful, Wonderful Day,
Goin’ Courtin’, and of course the show stopping Sobbin’ Women.
Additional songs (by Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn) have been added to
the stage version, and while not quite up to the movie classics, they
include the exquisite Love Never Goes Away and Glad that You Were
Born.

Keel and Powell’s roles are played here by musical theater vets Richard
Kinsey and Kathi Gilmore, and though a tad old for their roles, each
brings a gorgeous voice and real stage presence to his/her role. As the
18 brothers, brides, and suitors director Newman found some of the most
amazing dancers around (if space permitted, all their names would
follow). Kudos to them all, especially to Danny Whitehead, charismatic
and sympathetic as youngest brother Caleb.

Ambra Wakefield's rainbow-colored costumes and Todd Helm
conducting the Seven Brides for Seven Brothers orchestra are two more
reasons this show is such a treat.

Fullerton Civic Light Opera’s been on a role lately. Their recent, and
spectacular, production of Phantom is one of the season’s best, and
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is every bit as good.

If you like classic big stage musicals, you won't want to miss Seven Brides
for Seven Brothers.

MAY 2007, FULLERTON CIVIC LIGHT OPERA, FULLERTON.

--Steven Stanley