SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS Dances Onto Hale Centre Theatre Stage

The Hale Centre Theatre in Gilbert is transformed into the Old West when Seven Brides for Seven Brothers dances onto the family-friendly stage Oct. 13 through Nov. 26. The laugh-filled musical comedy revolves around an 1850-era Oregon Territory town where one of seven brothers, Adam, ventures from the backwoods into town to find a wife. He meets Milly and the couple quickly marry. They hasten back to Adam's mountain ranch, where Milly is shocked to find Adam's six slovenly brothers living in the ranch house. Milly attempts to change their ways, teaching them order, manners, singing and dancing.

The group attends a dance social where the six unmarried brothers meet six young ladies who catch their eye. Conflict and jealousy erupt when the young women's boyfriends take umbrage and a free-for-all breaks out. The brothers end up abducting the women and make off for the mountains. Milly is furious with all of the men and banish them to the barn with the rest of the livestock. Adam, meanwhile, retreats to a mountain cabin for the winter. Back at the ranch, the girls eventually fall in love with the brothers while Milly gives birth to Adam's daughter. Adam is persuaded to return to reconcile with Milly and meet his baby. Later, the father of two of the young ladies, a preacher, shows up along with the other townsfolk armed with shotguns. The preacher performs a shotgun wedding for the unmarried brothers and their brides.

The stage version of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is based on the Academy Award-winning film of the same name. It features music and lyrics by Saul Chaplin, Gene de-Paul and the multi-talented and immensely popular Johnny Mercer. Exuberant dancing, romance, and tons of fun make this classic show one of the greatest musicals of all time, according to the American Film Institute.

The show is directed and choreographed by multiple ariZoni Award winner Cambrian james. Fellow ariZoni Award winner Lincoln Wright is the music director. Audience favorite Rob Stuart, also an ariZoni Award winner, performs the role of Adam. Laura Anne Kenney, in her fourth show at the Hale, has the role of Milly.

Tickets for Seven Brides for Seven Brothers are available at the Hale box office. Prices are $18 for children ages 5-12, $22 for students with ID, and $32 for adults. Tickets for groups of ten or more are $22 each. Call the box office at 480-497-1181 or go online at www.HaleTheatreArizona.com to purchase tickets. The best seats sell out quickly and many shows sell out completely, so buy your tickets today.

A gem of a theatre, the Hale Centre Theatre has a rich tradition of presenting "Powerhouse Musicals, Outrageous Comedies, and Tastefully Clean Shows." The theatre is located in the Gilbert Heritage District at 50 West Page Avenue, across from the historic Water Tower Park. A variety of restaurants and abundant free parking are located near the theatre.

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