Married Couple Will Star in SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS

If the leading couple in Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre's current production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers seems to have chemistry, it's not simply from their acting talents. Tony Lawson and Krista Severeid are actually married, and have returned to the stage where life as they now know it began.

"Beef & Boards and the state of Indiana hold a prominent place in my family's story," Krista noted. "My husband and I met at this theatre. We were cast opposite each other in Phantom as Phantom and Christine."

That was in 2006. Three years later - just after starring as Adam and Milly in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, also at Beef & Boards - they married.

"I think our wedding was only a couple weeks after the show closed, so it was a little crazy," Krista recalled. "I remember trying to coordinate everything for the wedding in New York from here and it was challenging. But everything turned out beautifully." But there were perks, too, her husband pointed out.

"Seven Brides gave us a chance to 'date' on stage - flirt, joke, bicker, hug, kiss, and then marry in white every show we did," Tony said. "It sure did add to the excitement of the actual upcoming wedding!"

Although, Krista noted, "getting married on stage is much less stressful than in real life. It was fun to put on the wedding dress costume every night and anticipate our actual wedding. It did kind of seem like we were already married once we got to the real wedding, so maybe it took the pressure off a bit." What Krista didn't know while she was working on her real wedding during the production of Seven Brides..., was that the production would make its way into her wedding. "Actually it was sweet because our pastor in New York (Pastor Chris Mietlowski at Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran) found show photos of us from Seven Brides and printed some out to reference in his wedding sermon," she explained. "I remember he made some jokes about we'd been practicing for our wedding, and it was all really personal and fun." In Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Adam takes Milly as his bride in the 1850s Oregon wilderness. Then Adam's six younger brothers decide they want wives of their own. To help - and to ensure the success of her own marriage - Milly takes it upon herself to civilize her six rowdy brothers-in-law.

Not only can they relate to the relationship they portray in the show, Krista added they can relate to the characters themselves.

"I think we both have a lot of Adam and Milly in us," she noted. "For one, I'm from the Northwest (Washington State), so I love the Oregon pioneer days setting. The way we relate to each other as a couple is also very 'Adam and Milly' in that I am very strong and independent like Milly and Tony is pretty laid back and goofy like Adam." "I wear this role close like a warm, soft, fun flannel shirt," Tony agreed.

"But we complement each other well and make a great team as friends and partners through all the challenges of life," Krista added. "I love how Adam and Milly work through their problems and come out stronger as a couple on the other side." Their lives off the stage changed significantly three years ago with the arrival of their son, whose very name reflects the origins of their family. "When we were trying to pick a name for our son that was meaningful to both of us, Indiana (nickname "Indy") is the one that stuck," Krista said. "So this place means a lot to us and we are so happy to be here with our little guy along for the adventure this time! The Indiana Jones reference is fun too, and he lives up to it with his zest for life and excitement!" So she brings experience to the role of Milly this time around.

"After almost 9 years of marriage now, I really relate to the highs and lows of marriage relationships portrayed in the show, and how important marriage is as the core of a family. As parents now, it's especially meaningful when Adam and Milly become parents and Milly sings a lullaby that I sang to Indy as a baby. I also love the extended family relationships in the show and how much fun Milly has with her new brothers-in-law and how those friendships grow." "You know there's nothing like life experiences to add bright colors to an actor's performance," Tony remarked. "During a show, it's thrilling to realize 'I remember this emotion! I've made this same mistake myself! I've been down the same road before'!"

"There's so much to relate to in this show and I understand the heart of it more now than ever," Krista added. "I think, through all the fun and dancing and silliness, it's really all about love and family."

"I believe this run will be quite special for both Krista and myself," Tony said. "Working on the stage where we first met. Sharing music, humor, and love with a different audience each day! It's a blessing we'll honor each and every time." Tony and Krista are not the only married couple in the cast. Indianapolis residents Peter and Sally (Mitchell) Scharbrough, who also performed in the 2009 production, have since married and return to this show as husband and wife. They also have a young son, Finn, who will soon be 2 years old.

The lively stage version of the rip-roaring MGM film "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" continues at Beef & Boards through Oct. 7. Great songs fill this show including "Bless Your Beautiful Hide," "Goin' Courtin'" and "Wonderful, Wonderful Day." Tickets range from $44 to $69, and include Chef Odell Ward's dinner buffet, fruit & salad bar, unlimited coffee, tea and lemonade. For reservations, call the box office at 317.872.9664 anytime between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays. For complete show schedule, visit beefandboards.com.

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