Seven Brides For Seven Brothers

Edward Watts and Michelle Dawson (center) star in Theatre Under the Stars' production of SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS. Single tickets may be purchased by calling (713) 558-TUTS or online at www.tuts.com

THEATRE UNDER THE STARS MOUNTS CO-PRODUCTION OF “SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS”

HOUSTON, TEXAS… It’s a rip-roaring good time! Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) mounts its newly reworked, premiere production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers March 13-25 at Hobby Center for the Performing Arts (800 Bagby at Walker). Based on “The Sobbin’ Women” by Stephen Vincent Benet and the 1954 Stanley Donen-directed film, TUTS’ production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers will be filled with an exhilarating score and daredevil dancing, modeled after Michael Kidd’s famed film choreography. This new production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, featuring all-new sets and several new songs, will tour to Paper Mill Playhouse and North Shore Music Theatre, following its Houston run.

The musical comedy has music by Gene de Paul, lyrics by Johnny Mercer (who penned the movie songs), and a book by Lawrence Kasha and David S. Landay. New songs were created by Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn with music by Saul Chaplin and de Paul, and lyrics by Mercer. In addition to several new songs including “I Married Seven Brothers” and “Where Were You,” TUTS’ production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers will feature all-time favorites such as “Bless Your Beautiful Hide,” “A Woman Ought to Know Her Place,” and “Wonderful, Wonderful Day.”

Following the success of the MGM film version, which boasted the talents of Jane Powell and Howard Keel, the stage version of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers opened on Broadway in 1982 at the Alvin Theatre.

Theatre Under the Stars Presents SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS from March 13 - 25, 2007 at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts (800 Bagby at Walker, Houston, Texas). Photo courtesy of Sacramento Music Circus.

Scott Schwartz, whose Off-Broadway credits include Tick, Tick…Boom and The Foreigner, starring Matthew Broderick, will direct TUTS’ Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Previously, Schwartz directed Valerie Harper in the National Tour of Golda’s Balcony, which became the longest-running one-woman show in Broadway history. Golda’s Balcony ran on Broadway simultaneously with Wicked, for which his father, Stephen Schwartz, gained wide acclaim as composer and lyricist.

Patti Colombo, who received a Tony nomination for her work on Broadway’s production of Peter Pan, will serve as choreographer for TUTS’ Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Her many accolades include an Emmy and American Choreographers Award Nomination for her choreography on the A&E production of Peter Pan. Recently, she choreographed Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at Goodspeed Musicals.

Set in 1850’s Oregon territory, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers tells the story of Adam and his brothers’ pursuit for brides. Adam, the eldest of seven brothers, goes to town to get a wife and convinces a young woman named Milly to marry him that same day. They return to his backwoods home, only for Milly to discover that all six of Adam’s brothers also live in the log cabin. She sets out to reform the uncouth siblings, who are anxious to get wives of their own. Then, Adam develops an inspired solution to his brothers’ loneliness…kidnap the women they want!

The creative team will include Tom Helm (Musical Director), Don Holder (Lighting Designer), Christopher “Kit” Bond (Sound Designer), Jess Goldstein (Costume Designer) and Anna Luoizos (Set Designer).

The cast of Theatre Under the Stars' production of SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS. Single tickets may be purchased by calling (713) 558-TUTS or online at www.tuts.com

Single tickets for TUTS’ production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers ($29-$92) are available to the public by phone at (713) 558-8887 or outside the Houston area at (888) 558-3882; or in person at the Theatre Under The Stars Box Office, (800 Bagby at Walker, Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat-Sun 11am-4pm); or on-line at www.tuts.com. Audio described performances are available March 25 at 2 p.m.; open captioning March 25 at 7:30 p.m. Wheelchair accessible. Student and Senior (60+) discounted tickets available one hour before performance. Group discounts available for 15 or more and may be purchased by calling (713) 558-8888.

TUTS 2006-2007 “Really Big” Season is sponsored by Stanford. Sponsors of TUTS’ production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers include Time Warner Cable, Spectra Energy, Intercontinental Fragrances and Ballard Exploration Company, Inc. Air transportation is provided by Continental Airlines, the official airline of Theatre Under The Stars. Additional support is provided by St. Luke’s Episcopal Health System, the Official Healthcare Partner of Theatre Under The Stars. Media sponsors are ABC-13 and Houston Chronicle.

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) was founded in 1968 by Frank M. Young. TUTS was the first theatrical organization in Houston to perform free to the public in 1968 at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park, and is the only Houston arts organization that has performed there free to the public every year since the building opened. Since its founding, TUTS has produced more than 275 musicals including many local, national and world premieres and is currently represented on Broadway with Beauty and the Beast. TUTS is also noted for mounting many International tours, including Debbie Reynolds in The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Juliet Prowse in Mame, Robert Goulet in Man of La Mancha and the Tony Award-winning revival of Carousel. As a way to continue the tradition of musical theatre, TUTS’ Humphreys School of Musical Theatre provides instruction and stage experience for more than 1,700 students annually. Now housed in the new Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, TUTS also annually presents the Tommy Tune Awards, honoring the best and brightest in Houston’s high school musical theatre programs.

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The cast of Theatre Under the Stars' production of SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS. Single tickets may be purchased by calling (713) 558-TUTS or online at www.tuts.com

TUTS Premiere

A rip-roaring good time! Based on “The Sobbin’ Women” by Stephen Vincent Benet and the 1954 Stanley Donen-directed film, TUTS’ production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers will be filled with an exhilarating score and daredevil dancing, modeled after Michael Kidd’s famed film choreography. Following the success of the MGM film version, which boasted the talents of Jane Powell and Howard Keel, the stage version of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers opened on Broadway in 1982 at the Alvin Theatre.

With a book by Lawrence Kasha and David S. Landay, the musical comedy also has music by Gene de Paul and lyrics by Johnny Mercer (who penned the movie songs) and additional songs by Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn with music by Saul Chaplin and de Paul, and lyrics by Mercer. Unforgettable songs include “Bless Your Beautiful Hide,” “A Woman Ought to Know Her Place,” and “Wonderful, Wonderful Day.” Following its Houston run, TUTS’ production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers will tour to North Shore Music Theatre and Paper Mill Playhouse.

Set in 1850’s Oregon territory, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers tells the story of Adam and his brothers’ pursuit for brides. Adam, the eldest of seven brothers, goes to town to get a wife and convinces a young woman named Milly to marry him that same day. They return to his backwoods home, only for Milly to discover that all six of Adam’s brothers also live in the log cabin. She sets out to reform the uncouth siblings, who are anxious to get wives of their own. Then, Adam develops an inspired solution to his brothers’ loneliness…kidnap the women they want!

IT’S ALL HIGH-JENKS & HIGH-KICKS AT TUTS’ “BACKSTAGE AT SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS” WORKSHOP

HOUSTON, TEXAS… Kick up your heels and mosey on down to Theatre Under The Stars’ “Backstage at Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Workshop,” presented by Target, on Saturday, March 17 at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts (800 Bagby at Walker.) Held in conjunction with the matinee performance, TUTS’ “Backstage at Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Workshop” will be from 9-11:30 a.m. Taught through The Studio at TUTS’ Humphreys School of Musical Theatre, this workshop is open to ages 7-18.

TUTS’ “Backstage at Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Workshop” will kick-off with a comprehensive high-kicking demonstration where participants will learn dances modeled after Michael Kidd’s famed film choreography, which turned mundane frontier chores such as wood chopping and barn raising, into high-kicking shenanigans. Participants will also go onstage to learn about the sets and props used in the show, and meet and greet the cast during a question and answer session.

To purchase your ticket package, call the TUTS Box Office at (713) 558-TUTS or visit www.tuts.com. Per person ticket packages (includes a workshop and show ticket) are $61-$107. To download a registration form, visit www.tuts.com.

All participants under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a paid chaperone. Recommended attire is comfortable clothing and closed toed footwear. For groups of 15 or more, and for special lunch reservations available at The Hard Rock Café please contact Natalie Young at (713) 558-8888 or email Natalie@tuts.com.

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) mounts its newly reworked, premiere production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers March 13-25 at Hobby Center for the Performing Arts (800 Bagby at Walker). For tickets to Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, call (713) 558-TUTS or visit www.tuts.com.

TUTS 2006-2007 “Really Big” Season is sponsored by Stanford. Sponsors of TUTS’ production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers include Time Warner Cable, Spectra Energy, Intercontinental Fragrances and Ballard Exploration Company, Inc. Air transportation is provided by Continental Airlines, the official airline of Theatre Under The Stars. Additional support is provided by St. Luke’s Episcopal Health System, the Official Healthcare Partner of Theatre Under The Stars. Media sponsors are ABC-13 and Houston Chronicle.

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) was founded in 1968 by Frank M. Young. TUTS was the first theatrical organization in Houston to perform free to the public in 1968 at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park, and is the only Houston arts organization that has performed there free to the public every year since the building opened. Since its founding, TUTS has produced more than 275 musicals including many local, national and world premieres and is currently represented on Broadway with Beauty and the Beast. TUTS is also noted for mounting many International tours, including Debbie Reynolds in The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Juliet Prowse in Mame, Robert Goulet in Man of La Mancha and the Tony Award-winning revival of Carousel. Since 1972, TUTS’ Humphreys School of Musical Theatre provides instruction and stage experience for more than 1,700 students annually. Now housed in the new Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, TUTS also annually presents the Tommy Tune Awards, honoring the best and brightest in Houston’s high school musical theatre programs.

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