Mamie Parris, George Dvorsky and More Star in Pittsburgh CLO's SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS, Now thru 6/16

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is a love-struck comedy taking the Benedum stage tonight, June 11-16, 2013. Audiences are sure to be delighted by the antics of seven brothers and "wannabe" brides living under one roof in 19th century Oregon. Noted Broadway performers including Pittsburgh CLO alumni George Dvorsky and Mamie Parris will take the lead as Adam and Milly, along with an incredibly talented Pittsburgh CLO cast.

When she said her vows, Milly didn't know life with Adam would include six rowdy brothers-in-law as roommates. Now, her plans to marry them off may backfire when the rambunctious bachelors kidnap rather than court their brides-to-be. Based on the MGM blockbuster film, this audience favorite is filled with daredevil dancing and features an exhilarating score including "Wonderful, Wonderful Day," "Love Never Goes Away" and "Sobbin' Women."

Keely Beirne (Ruth) is a recent graduate of the B.F.A. Musical Theatre program at Penn State University. Recent Credits: Hairspray (Dynamite) at Merry-Go-Round Playhouse and numerous productions at Penn State, including Bernstein's Mass, Rent, and Peter Pan. She also studied dance at Center Stage Dance & Theatre School.

Callan Bergmann (Gideon) is returning to Pittsburgh CLO for his fifth summer. Most recently he could be spotted on the Off-Broadway stage inSilence! The Musical (Dream Hannibal). Other NYC/tour: Mary Poppins (National Tour), Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (Encores!), Lucky Guy (Off-Broadway). Film/Television: Lovestruck The Musical (ABC Family), "Smash" (NBC) and Sorority Row (Summit Entertainment). Mr. Bergmann is a graduate of Point Park University.

Sarah Blodgett (Alice) is making her Pittsburgh CLO debut this season. Sarah was last seen dancing her way across Europe in the international tour of West Side Story. She has performed in the national tour of The Music Man, and regional favorites include Carousel (Louise) and Oklahoma! (Dream Laurey). She danced professionally with Ballet West and Ballet West II, and as a soloist with Connecticut Ballet. She holds a B.S. in Business and Marketing from University of San Francisco.

Scott Brateng (Daniel) makes his Pittsburgh CLO debut. His credits include: Sugar Babies (NYC), White Christmas (1st National Tour), West Side Story (A-rab), Singin' In The Rain (Sid Philips/The Baron), Spamalot, Cabaret, Damn Yankees, Best Little Whorehouse..., Hello, Dolly!, Evita, Joseph... Dreamcoat, Pippin. Training: BFA NYU '04, Pacific Northwest Ballet and School of American Ballet.

George Dvorsky (Adam) is currently starring as El Gallo in New York's Longest Running Musical, The Fantasticks and returns to Pittsburgh CLO for his 10th production. Broadway credits: The Scarlet Pimpernel, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Passion, Marilyn: An American Fable andThe Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. He also starred as Prince Charming in the NYC Premiere of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella at Lincoln Center. Off-Broadway: Revival of Closer than Ever, Pete N Keely, the revival of Dames at Sea and 'And the World Goes Round. His solo CDs, "All Through the Night," and "In the Still of the Night" are available on the Jay Records label. www.georgedvorsky.net

Jeff Howell (Mr. Bixby) was recently seen as the Captain in The Sound of Music (PMT). Pittsburgh CLO shows include Sunset Boulevard(DeMille), Jesus Christ Superstar (Annas), Jekyll and Hyde (Poole), A Musical Christmas Carol (Bob Cratchit), Beauty and the Beast(Cogsworth), Bells are Ringing (Dr. Kitchell) and Pajama Game (Prez). Other credits include Candide (Dr. Pangloss), Chicago (Billy Flynn),Tribute to Lerner and Loewe with Marvin Hamlisch and the PSO.

Ashley Kasunich (Martha) is in her hometown making her Pittsburgh CLO debut. Favorite regional: The Producers, Cats (Victoria), Cabaret, Oklahoma! and Footloose. Ashley spends her holidays on the Great Stage at Radio City Music Hall kicking with the world famous Rockettes and has appeared on the "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade" and "Project Runway," among others. BFA: Point Park University.

David Paul Kidder (Ephraim) is a New York stage veteran whose credits include Stuyvesant Town: This is Your Home (Signature Theatre) and Homo: The Musical (The Wild Project). Favorite regional credits include Crazy For You (Moose), Footloose (Travis), Sound of Music (Rolf),Once Upon A Mattress (Jester) and Into The Woods (Cinderella's Prince). Mr. Kidder performed at Walt Disney World in the Hoop Dee Doo Revue and Beauty and the Beast: Live On Stage. BFA in Musical Theatre from UCF.

Isabelle McCalla (Sarah) is making her debut at Pittsburgh CLO. She is a rising junior musical theatre major at the University of Michigan. Regional credits: Aladdin (Muny), Singin' in the Rain (Assistant Choreographer at Music Theatre of Wichita). U of M: Crazy for You (Mitzi/Dance Captain), Chicago.

Paul Palmer (Preacher) returns to the Benedum stage for his 57th Pittsburgh CLO summer show, reprising the role he performed in the 2006 CLO Seven Brides for Seven Brothers production. A veteran of 34 CLO summer seasons, Mr. Palmer was Abner Dillon in last week's production of 42nd Street.

Mamie Parris (Milly) is currently on hiatus as Elphaba in the National Tour of Wicked. Pittsburgh CLO audiences will recognize her as Judy Bernly from the First National Tour of 9 to 5: The Musical. Broadway: Tony Award -Nominated revival of Ragtime, 5-time Tony Award winnerThe Drowsy Chaperone and Roundabout Theatre's 110 In the Shade. Other National Tours include Legally Blonde The Musical. Ms. Parris created the role of Dodi in the acclaimed new musical See Rock City and Other Destinations, presented Off-Broadway by the The Transport Group. Also: Chicago at the Macau International Music Festival in Macau, China; two national tours with country music icon Kenny Rogers; The Radio City Christmas Spectacular; and numerous regional roles.

Jonalyn Saxer (Liza) is making her Pittsburgh CLO debut this season. Credits include Judy in A Chorus Line, Kate in Legally Blonde, 42nd Street (MSMT); Anything Goes, 42nd Street (MGR Playhouse); White Christmas, The Lion, The Witch... (Syracuse Stage); Reasons To Be Pretty (Black Box Players). BFA: Syracuse University 2014.

Brian Steven Shaw (Caleb) is a proud graduate of California State University Fullerton where he obtained his BFA in Musical Theatre. Some favorite roles include: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, La Mirada Theatre (Daniel); A Chorus Line, Candlelight Pavilion (Mark), Mickey and The Magical Map, Disneyland Resort (Flynn Rider); Disney Dream, Disney Wonder (Swing / Dance Captain).

Peter Matthew Smith (Mr. Perkins) is a Pittsburgh native who just closed the first national tour of Memphis the Musical. Broadway: Rent, Mamma Mia, Hairspray, Fiddler on the Roof (Motel) and Cry Baby. Other Pittsburgh CLO credits include Joseph... (Pharoah), The Student Prince (Tarnitz) and A Musical Christmas Carol (Fred).

Gavin Stewart (Frank) is originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Professional dance credits: Richmond Ballet II, Wylliams/Henry Contemporary Dance Company, Owen/Cox Dance Group and toured British Columbia with MOVE: the Company. He has composed music for UMKC dancers, Stewart/Owen Art and Performance Laboratory. Choreographic credits: UMKC Conservatory, Wylliams/Henry Contemporary Dance Company and Stewart/Owen Art and Performance Laboratory. BFA: Dance Performance from the Conservatory of Music and Dance at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Alex Michael Stoll (Benjamin) last appeared in Broadway's Evita and previously in West Side Story. L.A.: Leap of Faith (world premiere); TV/Film: "Smash," "Gossip Girl;" Upcoming film: A Million Ways to Die In The West.

Andrea Weinzierl (Dorcas) is back in her hometown after performing in the National Tour of A Chorus Line (Director Baayork Lee). She has been a featured vocalist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. A Pittsburgh showgirl, choreographer, and dance teacher, she is the recipient of the 2010 Gene Kelly "Best Actress" Award. Other Pittsburgh CLO credits include this season's 42nd Street. Ms. Weinzierl will resume as a Musical Theatre major at Point Park University in the fall.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is complete with a talented ensemble, including Jesse Carrey-Beaver, Max Clayton, Lucas Fedele, Mike Greer, Rodney Jackson and Connor McRory. They will be joined by two CLO Academy students, Lucia Williams and Halle Surgil.

Sha Newman (Director/Choreographer) has been highly honored for her work directing and choreographing musical theater across the country. She has directed and choreographed many award winning stage productions, including Brigadoon, Evita, West Side Story, Anything Goes and Jekyll & Hyde. Television and film work include "Mr. & Mrs. Ryan," "A Celebration of Gershwin" and "Lucky Stiff."

Tom Helm (Music Director) returns for his 18th season with Pittsburgh CLO. On Broadway, he has conducted the revival of Brigadoon, Cats, Me and My Girl, LES MISERABLES and Souvenir. Tom was musical director of the First National Tour of Cats, Radio City's 5-6-7-8 Dance!, and television programs such as "Crazy for You" and the "Today Show." Mr. Helm has conducted at Radio City Music Hall, Paper Mill Playhouse and many other regional and national productions.

John McLain (Lighting Designer) is illuminating the Benedum stage this summer for his 25th season with Pittsburgh CLO. Lighting design for past Pittsburgh CLO productions include Funny Girl, Grease, Evita, Fame, Godspell, Cats, Les Miserablés, Jesus Christ Superstar and Annie.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is a musical based on the 1954 film of the same name, which was directed by Stanley Donen as an adaptation of the short story "Sobbin' Women" by Stephen Vincent Benet. Director Lawrence Kasha brought the story to the stage in a successful U.S. National Tour and then to Broadway for a brief run.

The production opened in Broadway's Alvin Theatre on July 8, 1982, and played for five shows after fifteen previews. The original production starred Debby Boone as Milly and David-James Carroll as Adam. Since closing on Broadway, successful revised versions of the musical have been performed in London's West End and Madrid, as well as in regional and community theaters across the country, making it a popular audience favorite throughout the world.

The original production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Original Score.

Performance schedule for Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

Tuesday	June 11	8:00 p.m.
Wednesday	June 12	8:00 p.m.
Thursday	June 13	8:00 p.m.
Friday	June 14	8:00 p.m.
Saturday	June 15	2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
Sunday	June 16	2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.

Tickets are available online at pittsburghCLO.org, by calling 412-456-6666 or at the Box Office at Theater Square. Groups of 10 or more enjoy exclusive discounts and specialty packages. Call our Group Sales Hotline at 412-325-1582 for more information. Visit pittsburghCLO.org for further information.

Pittsburgh CLO gratefully acknowledges our Season Sponsors: the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and WTAE-TV.

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