 Mountain man Adam is a-fixin’ to grab himself a “beautiful
hide” to wed so as she can take care of him and his six bachelor brothers up in
their isolated farmhouse. So he’s come to town to look for a bride, and ends up
taking a shine to Milly. She falls for Adam and is excited to start her new
life with him, but is disappointed to find she’s been primarily chosen for
cookin’, cleanin’, and birthin’ babies. She’s willing to put up with all of it,
and even help out the brothers in the courtin’ skills. But if they’re ever
going to have a happy home, Adam’s going to have to see his wife as something
other than a farmhand.
This entertaining, dance-heavy musical comedy gets an
impressive restaging by the Gilbert Fine Arts Association performing at the
Mesquite Junior High School Auditorium. Tregoney Shepherd, the musical
director and choreographer, has put together some fun, challenging, and right
fancy dance numbers that the cast performs with liveliness and precision.
Director Melody Stuart has the eye to capture all the show’s comic
potential, and she’s assembled a highly talented group of both seven brides and
seven brothers to do it all with.
As Adam, Kevin Stuart gets to be the oldest brother
after growing up as the youngest among five boys, and he’s clearly at home in
the new role with a good, prideful over-confidence and a smooth singing voice,
leading his brothers into a frenzy in the hilariously staged Sobbin’ Women.
Dobson High School senior Erica Smith stars as Milly, featuring a
gorgeous vocal performance and a strong feel for the role as she deals with her
husband’s lack of maturity and as she teaches her new, unrefined
brothers-in-law the finer nuances of Goin’ Courtin’.
And then there are those other six brothers, and the six
“brides” they court. A dozen triple threats who make sure the entire show is
one of surprising humor and terrific dancing. Each couple manages to create a
unique attachment to one another through just a few bits of spoken and unspoken
dialogue. They include the aggressive Dorcus (Kristi Oakes) and the plum
funny Benjamin (Nate Stuart), with Dorcus also leading the gals in the
big, well-done June Bride number. Lauren Vanassche is a riot as
the goofy Ruth who’s got it bad for her goofy counterpart Caleb (Ramsey
Margison). The youngest couple, Alice (Carrie Braver) and Gideon (Braden
Austin), have great chemistry with all the charmingly bashful eagerness
going on, with Gideon also impressing as he rebukes Adam in Love Never Goes
Away.
The other couples, consisting of Audry Sullivan
and Ramsey Margison, Stephanie Larsen and Chris Hunt, and Sarah
Hollands and Austin Stuart, make sure you know who goes with who
even if their costumes weren’t matched, doing it with great flirty fun. Such as
when they’re trying to play it cool during the long, cold winter, which
includes the brothers attempting to literally work out their frustrations in We
Got to Make it Through the Winter. And, of course, in the exuberant Social
Dance where the entire cast shines. A good orchestra conducted by Marcus
Denton keeps things lively, and Fight Coordinator Valerie Tanner
does the same for the fightin’. Cuz hey, Goin’ Courtin’ ain’t for no
sissy folk.
Performs November 7 - 15, 2008.
Rob Hopper
National Youth Theatre
~ Cast ~
~ The Brothers ~
Adam: Kevin Stuart
Benjamin: Nate Stuart
Caleb: Ramsey Margison
Daniel: Ryan Durfee
Ephraim: Chris Hunt
Frank: Austin Stuart
Gideon: Braden Austin
~ The Brides ~
Milly: Erica Smith
Dorcus: Kristi Oakes
Ruth: Lauren Vanassche/Tenae Hinrichs
Liza: Audry Sullivan
Martha: Stephanie Larsen
Sarah: Sarah Hollands
Alice: Carrie Braver
~ The Suitors ~
Preacher: Ammon Opie
Carl/Mr. Perkins: Kenton Durfee
Luke/Lem: Colin Gallacher
Matt: Ken Boelter
Joel: Thomas Huish
Zeke: Justin Durfee
Jeb: Javin Vincent
~ Townspeople ~
Mr. Bixby: Chris Humphrey
Mrs. Bixby: Cara Dodini
Preacher's Wife: Rebecca Bryce
Mrs. Perkins: Kathy McNeilly
Ensemble/Alternate: Tenae Hinrichs
Ensemble: Taryn Reed
Ensemble Children:
Holly Sullivan
Kayli Johnston
Alexa Stuart
Nicole Regulski
Ashley Regulski
Hunter Smith
Producer: Helen Hollands
Director: Melody Stuart
Musical Director/Choreographer: Tregoney Shepherd
Conductor: Marcus Denton
Fight Coordinator: Valerie Tanner
Set Design: Dane Burk
Costumes: Tamra Johnston and Barbara Stuart
Light Design: Joe Nask and Morgan Tanner
Sound Design: Ben Freedman
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