As the second show of Briercrest's Summer Stage productions, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is a wild comedy about a collection of brothers muddling up their chances at romance in a number of ways, much to the leading woman’s exasperation.
Briercrest Onstage is performing the musical for the first time, and the cast is excited to perform the new show.
“I think it's just a real fun story. There's great dancing and lots of comedy in it as well, so it's a lighter show,” said Ron de Jager, artistic director of both shows. “And this is a story about a guy, especially the lead guy, who really had his mind set, and it really changes by the end of the story.”
The musical is known for it's numerous, rousing dance numbers, for which Briercrest has enlisted a professional choreographer from Moose Jaw to work with them to reach the potential of the show.
“It's going to be quite a high-quality production,” promised Ruth-Ellen Wallace, performing arts administrative assistant.
Briercrest Onstage does musicals each year, as so many students at the college are studying in that particular area.
“Most of them are students within our music department who are being professionally trained as singers, and they take musical theater classes as well to do dancing and acting,” said Wallace. “So we always choose musicals to do rather than straight dramas, so we can tap on that talent.”
“The reason we started this was to make an opportunity for our students to perform here at the college and it's just steadily grown over the last seven years,” said de Jager.
The leads for this show are Brett Mitchell and Sheridan Clifford, and Daniel McElroy and Nancy Moffitt, double cast as Adam and Milly — the first husband and wife pair of the seven brothers.
The cast is primarily made up of students, who are all excited to perform each year for audiences that come from as far away as Alberta and Manitoba.
“We're just actually pretty excited where it's going, and for the support from the community and also from Saskatchewan, period, because there's been a lot of interest,” said de Jager.
The show will debut on May 24, and continue on May 25, 31, and June 1 — the last date featuring a dinner theatre aspect for the first time ever. The Briercrest cafeteria will be open to provide the audience with a meal prior to the performance.
“We just wanted to have more of a wholesome meal available for people who were coming from out of town, to have dinner either after the afternoon show or before the evening performance,” said Wallace.
Tickets for the show are $17 for adults, $14 for students and seniors, and $6 for children under five, and can be purchased by contacting Briercrest Onstage at (306) 756-3250.
