Scott Schwartz's blocking of this show is wonderful. He utilizes
every inch of space in the theatre including the aisles and makes sure
the audience can see what is happening in this theatre in the round. His
pacing of the scenes makes the show flow smoothly all night long with
the energy and intensity to keep everyone's attention. Ed's musical
direction of these fabulous vocalists is splendid and the orchestra
captures the essence of the music of this time period. But since this is
a dancing musical, Patti's choreography is flawless especially in the
show stopping Challenge dance. These guys and gals execute these
strenuous routines with ease and the audience laps it up like gravy,
enjoying every single move that they make. This is some of the best
dancing I have ever seen onstage. Kudos on a job very well done.
Leading this cast is Edward Watts as Adam. He not only looks the
part of a lumberjack but he also possesses an incredible voice, too. His
first rendition of "Bless Your Beautiful Hide" sets the barometer of
topnotch vocals all night long. The character of Adam is a stubborn male
chauvinistic pig who eventually gets tamed by a woman. Edward's "Sobbin'
Women" is hilarious as he convinces his brothers to kidnap the girls and
his "Where Were You?" is poignant as he sings about how he took care of
his brothers after his parents deaths. Another splendid and emotion
packed number is the trio version of "Love Never Goes Away". Michelle
Dawson is fantastic as Milly. She is spunky and charming as this
frontier woman. Her strong character is reminiscent of Reba McIntire and
her voice is wonderful, too. Her many numbers include "Wonderful,
Wonderful Day", "I Married Seven Brothers'' ( she trains these rowdy
guys how to behave which is a major undertaking) and the tender "Glad
That You Were Born" which she sings to her daughter, Martha. Edward and
Michelle are topnotch in their roles and their chemistry with each other
makes the show a success.
All of the brothers are tremendous in their roles, are cast
perfectly and their dancing abilities are astounding. The youngest
brother Gideon, is superbly played by Christian Delcroix who steals many
scenes with his shy, youthful presence and makes the transition into
blossoming as a mature person along the way. His antics are a hoot and
he gets to show off his voice in the trio number, "Love Never Goes
Away". The confrontation scene with Adam in the second act is dramatic
and tugs at your heartstrings when Gideon proves he is more mature than
Adam. The multitalented brothers include Randy Bobish as Benjamin, Luke
Longacre as Caleb, Karl Warden as Daniel, Travis Kelly as Ephraim ( his
ballet moves in "Spring, Spring, Spring" are astounding) and Eric
Sciotto as Frank ( the perpetual hothead who is a hoot during the show.)
(A risque scene occurs in Act 1 when Eric's blanket is ripped off,
revealing an almost nude, Frank.) The equally multitalented girls who
play the wives and dance up a storm with the brothers and the townsmen
in The Challenge dance, "Spring" song and "You've Got to Make it through
the Winter" are Christina Rae Hedrick as Dorcas, Kate Marilley as Ruth,
Denise Payne as Liza, Margot de la Barre as Martha, Stephanie Fittro a
Sarah and Sarah Marie Jenkins as Alice. (Sarah gets to do a lot of cute
stuff with Christian as Gideon's girlfriend.) Kudos to everyone on a
spectacular show. So for an outstanding musical treat, be sure to catch
"Seven Brides for Seven Brothers". Tell them Tony sent you.
SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS ( 29 May to 17 June, 2007)
North Shore Music Theatre, 62 Dunham Road, Beverly, MA
