More Information About Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

Description

<p>Broadway By the Bay launches its 2006 season with the MGM film favorite-turned-Tony-nominee SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS, at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center. Carrie Madsen and David Miailovich star as Millie and Adam, a love-struck pair who are determined to lead the ladies of the Oregon territory and the six remaining Pontipee brothers down the aisle.</p> <p>Ancient legends of heroes and battles have long proven fertile grounds from which to pluck ideas for films (Troy, Gladiator, and Alexander are recent examples), but only one Hollywood musical made the transition from ancient mythology to silver screen.  SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS was adapted from the legend of the Sabine women by way of the short story “The Sobbin’ Women” by Stephen Vincent Benet. Arguably one of the most enjoyable musicals to come from the classic era of the studios, SEVEN BRIDES…boasts music (by Gene de Paul, Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn) as memorable as that of Show Boat, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer, Al Kasha, and Joel Hirschhorn, and choreography as thrilling and athletic as Singin' in the Rain.  SEVEN BRIDES… was adapted for the stage in 1983, and was nominated for a Tony award for Best Score. </p> <p>Broadway by the Bay’s sensational production, directed by guest artist Evan Pappas and choreographed by Berle Davis, promises all the splendid fun that made SEVEN BRIDES… MGM’s biggest musical hit of 1954.  Irresistibly good-natured, the audience can’t help forgiving the brothers’ Neanderthal sensibilities as they learn etiquette, dance steps, and charm from their new sister-in-law in order to win over a bevy of reluctant brides-to-be.   </p> <p>Director Evan Pappas, a Broadway veteran and Daly City native, returns to Broadway By the Bay where his direction of 2004’s Funny Girl garnered six Bay Area Critics Nominations including Best Musical and Director.  Papas’ Broadway performance credits include Putting It Together (opposite Carol Burnett), Parade, My Favorite Year, and A Chorus Line, in addition to numerous Off-Broadway and regional performances which garnered Pappas multiple regional awards and award nominations.  Additional directing credits include My Favorite Year (Village Light Opera Group of Manhattan), Parallel Lives (Theatre for the New City , NYC), Broadway Babes (the Covent Garden Festival), Life, Love, Song: A Visit With Geena Branscombe, A Chorus Line, and Alright Ma, I’ll Sing.  He can be heard on the cast recordings of Parade, My Favorite Year, Lucky Stiff, Merrily We Roll Along (London), and Follies ( London ).  </p> <p>Berle Davis is in his 30th season choreographing for Broadway By the Bay.  In past years his work has been nominated many times for Bay Area Theater Critics Circle Awards for Outstanding Choreography, winning for Singin’ In the Rain, Me and My Girl, Guys and Dolls, 42nd Street and A Chorus Line.  As a performer, Berle has performed the choreography of Gower Champion, Jerome Robbins, Onna White, and Carol Haney.  </p>

About the Ticket Supplier: Broadway By The Bay

Broadway By The Bay, the largest theatre company on the Peninsula, has won numerous awards, including over 45 Theatre Critics Circle Awards, and has garnered acclaim throughout the San Francisco Bay Area as a destination for professional-quality musical theatre. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Brooke Knight and Executive Director Jim Gardia, Broadway By The Bay produces three full-scale musicals and one intimate composer/lyricist series each season.

Lauded for its efforts in education, Broadway By the Bay's Youth Theatre Conservatory - for ages 4-17 - gives younger students solid foundations in acting, singing, and dancing for the musical theatre. For those 18 and over, the Musical Theatre Conservatory offers professional classes to adults of all ages. Students aspiring to achieve a professional level of performance skills are taught by instructors who have excelled in their specialties. Musical Theatre Conservatory's intensive summer program is offered in conjunction with Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont.