On November 9th, 10th, and 11th of 2000, the Newcomerstown Thespians were pleased to present Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, a musical comedy in two acts. This musical marked the debut of Michael Lawrence, who thanked everyone in the play by getting into a car wreck. Regardless, the play went off without a hitch. For pictures from the play click here. For memories and other tidbits from Seven Brides, click here.

Starring:

Pontipee Brothers 

Michael Lawrence............Adam             Glenn Hunt..........Benjamin

Matt Fitzgibbon...............Caleb            Corey Spring........Daniel

Brad Cook.......................Ephraim       Adam Riggle........Frank

Steven Pritchard...............Gideon

The Brides

Emily Schrickel................Millie             Mary Murphy.........Ruth

Adrienne Dansby.............Dorcas           Mary Hogue..........Liza

Beth Dulaney..................Martha           Tiffany Roes.........Alice

Michael McCormick...........Sarah   

The Suitors

Patrick Harrison             Jonathan Orr             Josh Keating

Pantelis Arvanitakis      Eric Hickman              John Staley

Additional Cast Members

Brett Jacobs...............Preacher           Jordan Schrickel........Mr. Bixby

Anika Cox..................Mrs. Bixby        Josh Bosold..............Mr. Perkins

December Thomas......Mrs. Perkins     

Townspeople

Robyn Hickman                Angela Cochran            Ashley Heavilin

Alicia Boitnott                 Shannon Bryant            Courtney Hunt

Brittney Mason                Kadi Mason                   Amy Dickerson

Dana Dickerson               Kellie Chittum                Althe McCune

The Lumbermen

John Staley                     Patrick Harrison            Jonathan Orr

Pantelis Arvanitakis       

Stage Crew

Robbie Fries (Chief)        Paul Hannahs                 Jenna Lenzo

Dustin Watson                Courtney Hunt

Lights  

Dustin Kennedy               Steven Pritchard

Orchestra

BJ McFadden..............Conductor             Jessica Saylor............Trumpet

John Gunn.................Trombone             Mr. Mike Hoskins........Drums

Tara Belt..................Trombone              Mr. Tim Black............Violin

Miss Mable Little........Violin                   Mr. Mike Swaldo.........Cello

Derrick Kinsey............Bass Guitar           Miss Loraine George....Piano

Synopsis

    Set in Oregon in 1850, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers is the story of Adam Pontipee who goes to town looking for a bride (Bless Your Beautiful Hide). He finds Millie working in a restaurant and convinces her to marry him. Millie's ecstasy (Wonderful Wonderful Day) quickly sours when she finds she is to also take care of Adam's six unkempt, burly brothers. Deciding to make the marriage work (One Man), Millie sets a plan into motion to marry off the brothers, including teaching them how to court girls (Goin' Courtin').

    At the town social the brothers and girls' town suitors square off in a rousing challenge dance which ends in a brawl, and the brothers' banishment from the town.

    At the farm, Gideon's newfound feelings of love lead to a comparison of his, Adam's and Millie's view of love (Love Never Goes Away).

    When Adam realizes all the brothers are in love, but are totally frustrated by the banishment, he tells them to follow the example in one of Millie's books, do "like the Romans did with the Sabine Women" and just take the girls (Sobbin' Women) - and a preacher to marry them all.

    The boys kidnap the girls from the town and escape by causing an avalanche with shuts off their pursuers (Townsfolk's Lament). Because they forgot to kidnap the preacher, and angry Millie bars the men from the house until the Spring thaw when the girls could be taken back to town. Adam refuses to take Millie's orders and leaves for the trapping cabin (A Woman Ought To Know Her Place).

    During the winter, brothers and girls long for each other (We Gotta Make It Through the Winter).

    By Spring, the couples are together and in love (Spring, Spring, Spring). The arrival of Millie's baby prompts Gideon to go up to the cabin to get Adam to come home. Adam refuses but questions his feelings about Millie (A Woman Ought To Know Her Place (Reprise)). When Adam does return, Millie and the couples are singing the baby to sleep (Glad That You Were Born).

    Adam realizes that he was wrong and decides to take the girls back to town. The girls overhear Adam's plan and run to hide. They want to stay with their men. The townsmen appear and misinterpret what's happening as the brothers catch the girls in a situation that appears more sinister than it is.

    All ends well when the townsmen fulfill everyone's wishes by forcing the couples to marry in a shotgun wedding (Wedding Dance).

    And so, as in all love stories - this time seven love stories - everything ends happily, especially for the audience, who leave the theater with the warm feeling that they have been to a wonderful party.