Musical comedy kicks off theater's 40th season

Usually, popular musicals originate on Broadway and are then adapted into Hollywood movies. Occasionally, it works the other way around.

"Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" is a boisterous musical comedy that was originally a hit 1954 film from the dream factory at MGM. In 1982, it was adapted into a short-lived TV series that starred Kansas City native Terri Treas.

That same year, a stage version opened on Broadway that has become a regional theater staple. An amiable production of the show kicks off the 40th season for Shawnee Mission's Theatre in the Park.

The story is loosely based on the ancient Roman legend "The Rape of the Sabine Women," but the plot and characters have been transported to the Oregon wilderness in 1850.

Adam McAdoo leads the cast as Adam Pontipee, a backwoodsman who takes a young woman named Milly (Amy Hurrelbrink) as his wife. Once they reach his remote mountain cabin, she discovers that he lives with six uncouth brothers (Dustin West, Ryan McAdoo, Andrew Luzania, Collin Kessler, Zach Boswell and Eric Morris) ...and she's expected to serve as their maid. 

Ultimately the brothers want brides of their own and after hearing the story of the "Sobbin' Women," they kidnap six girls from the nearest town (Brooke Lacy, Danielle Shelton, Kate Hess, Rachel Rebottaro, Amanda Raney and Hannah See) and then cause an avalanche to prevent their families from rescuing them until the spring thaw.

Many of the catchy, toe-tapping tunes by Gene de Paul and Johnny Mercer come directly from the movie and a few agreeable songs written by Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn were added for the play.

Director Jim Shelton and choreographer April Okken have managed to mount a winsome show despite a limited budget and rehearsal time. One is left to wonder what a splendid production it could have been with a bit more time for polish.

Todd Burd's orchestra sounds crisp, and they are often called upon to vamp during some lengthy scene changes. Still, Glen Anderson's sets look good even though they sometimes take a bit too long to arrive.

As is often the case with Theatre in the Park shows, the cast and crew bring enough infectious energy, enthusiasm and good will to win over most of the audience.

"Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" runs through June 21 at Shawnee Mission Park, 79th Street and Renner Road, Shawnee. For tickets, call 312-9941 or visit www.theatreinthepark.org.

THEATER NOTES

Sonlight Productions presents the Kansas City premiere of "Altar Boyz," a show still running on Broadway. It's a musical comedy about a popular Christian boy band's final tour performance.

The cast includes Adam Branson, Keegan Rice, Jordan Boucher, Nick Mast and Stephen Eubank.  The musical is directed by Kevin Bogan and choreographed by Nathan Thomas. 

Kevin Bogan and Diane Robertson founded Sonlight in 2008 as a Christian organization striving to offer clean, family-oriented theater using local, professional talent.

The show runs through June 21 at the H&R Block City Stage at Union Station, Kansas City, Mo. For tickets, call (816) 460-2020 or visit www.unionstation.org.

***

Kansas City actress Corrie Van Ausdal has founded a new performance company, Fishtank. Van Ausdal stars in Fishtank's inaugural production of the classic suspense drama "Sorry, Wrong Number," directed by Katie Gilchrist. In a genuinely unique move, audiences will be outside on the sidewalk and view the action through the studio windows.

The show runs June 27 through July 11 at Fishtank Performance Studio, 1715 Wyandotte, Kansas City, Mo. For information, visit www.fishtanktheater.com or call 621-1304.

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