Through the mountains of the early American Northwest comes a classic love story, filled with heart warming music and sensational dancing as La Comedia Dinner Theatre presents ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.’ The equation of romantic pairings all adds up to a delightful show.
The action begins when Adam Pontipee (Christopher Lukos), who moves faster with women than Charlie Sheen, meets Milly (Caroline Kobylarz). Within minutes of their introduction, Adam proposes, giving a whole new meaning to speed dating. It’s not her southern charm or dazzling looks that Adam is instantly attracted to but her skills in the ever important…kitchen.
From a town where women are as scarce as two-headed raccoons, Adam is anxious to find himself a bride. He just so happens to be fortunate enough to discover one who is not only easy on the eye, but who also cooks and cleans. So swept away by his magnetizing persona, Milly doesn’t realize she is being tricked into a marriage of convenience.
However, it doesn’t take long for the truth to be revealed when the newlyweds arrive at the home place and Milly is introduced to Adam’s brothers, all six of them. There is Benjamin (Olin Davidson), Caleb (Jimmy Wencel), Daniel (Corey Ryan), Ephraim (Tim Pare), Frank (John Cardenas), and Gideon (Diego Diaz). In a sense she became the housekeeper for the ‘Bible Names Bunch.’ All that’s needed is a Samuel the Butcher.
The brothers are not very modernized, or good with a razor, but Milly takes on the duty of transforming them into appealing men. With a few simple, yet important, techniques of courting she prepares them for an area event, where some potential brides could be.
Scarce or not, the females appear to be of tremendous value based on their beauty alone. There is Alice (Anna Hudgins), Ruth (Jessica Kaiser), Dorcas (Lauren Morgan), Sarah (Taylor Schramm), Liza (Hannah Wilson), and Martha (Diana Sheets).
The scene in which the brothers meet the girls is a high point of the show due to the amazing display of dancing performed by both parties. It resembles a talent show as everyone shows off their greatest talents, whether dancing as pairs or individually with axes. The choreography is superb as every step is meaningful and delightful to watch.
However, the fancy footwork of the brothers is ruined by the handiwork of Adam who causes a brawl to break-out and chaos to ensue. The boys are left with holes in their heart over the lost chance at love. Their relationships aren’t the only ones on the brink of disaster, as Milly is fed up with Adam’s chauvinistic ways.
In the second act, Adam develops a plan for the brothers to steal back the girls’ affection, literally. Will it work? The title is ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,’ so I suppose the real question should be, How? I’m not going to tell everything, you need to go and see for yourself.
The show does not disappoint, in the leading roles of Adam and Milly, both Lukos and Kobylarz deliver performances dramatically and vocally that blare from the mountain tops. The large supporting cast is also strong, though the script does little to present either the brothers or the brides as individuals. With the boys there is Frank (Cardenas), who is teased a couple of times for the Bible reference which is name is derived from and Gideon (Diaz), provides some extra comic relief and impressive leaping ability. On the side of the brides, one of them is deathly afraid of mice, another is easily fooled by imitated cat noises and Sheets is dazzling as Martha.
Credit also goes to the scenery crew, whose set pieces, especially of the Pontipee House, make you feel like you are right there.
‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’ explores the true meaning of love and offers a feeling of happiness equivalent to the wedded bliss of the ‘Pontipee Bunch.’ (Rather than Marcia, its ‘Martha, Martha, Martha.)
At the La Comedia stage for the first tome in twenty years, ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,’ continues through April 23. Evening performances Wednesday-Sunday (arrival time 5:30-6:00 p.m) and matinees Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday (arrival time 10:30-11:00 a.m.). Pricing is based on section/tiered seating and ranges from $51-$69. Children 11 and under are $28. Reservations can be made my phone at 937-746-4554 or 1-800-677-9505.
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