Photo Coverage: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Opens

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers opened at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, NJ on Sunday, April 15th, and is slated to run through May 13th. The opening night party took place at Martini's Restaurant.

The show previously played Theatre Under the Stars. After the Paper Mill run, it will process to North Shore Music Theatre in Massachusetts, and Theater of the Stars in Georgia. This newly reworked, premiere production, directed by Scott Schwartz (Bat Boy, tick, tick...BOOM) and choreographed by Patti Colombo (Peter Pan), is based on "The Sobbin' Women" by Stephen Vincent Benet and the 1954 Stanley Donen-directed film. "Set in 1850's Oregon territory, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers tells the story of Adam and his brothers' pursuit of 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!," state press materials.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers 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. The company of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is led by veteran actors Michelle Dawson (Milly) and Edward Watts (Adam). The production also features Jason Babinsky, Becky Barta, Randy Bobish, Ryan Christopher Chotto, Christian Del Croix, Christina Rae Hedrick, Cameron Henderson, Nathan Hershberger, Sarah Marie Jenkins, T Ravis Kelley, Luke Longacre, Kate Marilley, Andy Paterson, Denise Payne, Benjie Randall, Luke Rawlings, Shane Rhoades, Eric Sciotto, Dan Sharkey, Tina Stafford, Tiffany Sudol, Nick Sullivan, and Karl Warden.

As previously announced, Paper Mill is in danger of closing unless it can raise $500,000 to get through the next two weeks of Seven Brides of Seven Brothers. Donations are graciously accepted by the theatre.

Visit www.papermill.org for tickets and more information, as well as to make a donation.

Photos courtesy of Shayne Miller, Paper Mill Playhouse

Acting Artistic Director, Mark S. Hoebee, Dawn Thorn, and Chairman of Paper Mill Playhouse Board of Trustees, Kenneth H. Thorn

Acting Artistic Director, Edward Watts (Adam), Michelle Dawson (Milly) and Director Scott Schwartz