‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’ dances onto HU’s stage

Seven Brides for Seven BrothersHUNTINGTON, Ind. Singing, dancing and courting Oregon wilderness style, sets the tone for this musical theater classic as Huntington University's Theater and Music Departments present "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers."

Set in 1850, woodsman Adam Pontipee (Joshua Cookingham) has a larger shopping list than usual on his trip to town. This time around, he is in search for a wife. Against the odds, he finds a beautiful woman named Milly (Maggie Gilliam), the determined young cook at the local inn. Milly falls in love at first sight. Yet, after arriving at Adam's farm nestled in the Oregon mountains, she finds her newest task in life is not just to be a doting wife, but to be the head of the house managing Adam's six brothers.

The Pontipees are rough and ill-mannered, but Milly's influence and Adam's new lifestyle inspires the six brothers to search for wives of their own. In their search, they find six beautiful women to call their own, but their battle to win their hearts has only just begun.

Led by guest director Robin Higginbotham, "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" will debut in the Zurcher Auditorium of the Merillat Centre for the Arts on Nov 14-16 and 21-23. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. with 2 p.m. matinee performances on Nov. 16 and 23. There also will be an educational matinee at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 20. School groups, homeschoolers and children with parents are welcome to attend this performance. Contact the MCA Box Office to make reservations.

Higginbotham graduated from Shenandoah University with a bachelor's degree in theater and has lived and worked in the New York City area for more than 13 years. New York productions include the Off-Broadway premiere "Take It Easy," Equity Showcases "All Is Full of Love," and "Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It all for You." An avid dancer and choreographer, she frequently returns to the New Dance Group Jazz Choreographers Workshop. Robin has choreographed for The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Cumberland County Playhouse, "Take It Easy," NYU's production of "Assassins," and Coconut Grove's "Side By Side By Sondheim," a production for which she also served as assistant director. She previously guest directed "As it is in Heaven" in 2008 at HU.

"I can't wait to share this classic musical production with the Huntington Community. It's all things musical theater great songs, big dance numbers and both funny and touching moments" Higginbotham said. "It's been wonderful working with my very enthusiastic cast who seem to be really enjoying working together and seeing the production come to life."

"Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" was originally written by Lawrence Kasha and David S. Landay with music by Gene De Paul and lyrics by Johnny Mercer.

"It's a fantastic night of entertainment for the whole family," Higginbotham said.

For reservations, call the Merillat Centre for the Arts Box Office at 260-359-4261 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Tickets also will be sold at the door before every performance. Tickets are $12 for general admission, $10 for students and seniors, $6 for children 13 and younger, $5 for HU students and $9 for HU faculty/staff. Tickets are now on sale.

For more information about the Huntington University Theatre Company, visit www.huntington.edu/theatre.