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v. MAY 13?╟÷19, 1981 J^mmAmm THEATRE-REVIEWS Seven Brides for Seven Brothers REVIEWED BY JACK HOLLAND Produced by Kaslan Productions, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Music Center, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles; 460-4411. Opened May 4; plays Tucs.-Sat., 8:30; Wed. 8c Sat. matinees, 2; through June 19. Hold on to your hats, folks, here comes the gol durndest, knee slappin', rousin', roarin\ rip-snortin* musical to hit town in some time. You'll feel so durned good watchin' it! Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is a tailor-made choice for Civic Light Opera audiences, as antiseptically clean and a* unsophisticated as you can get these days. Nary a cuss word, nary a suggestion of erotic giddiness, just plain old cyclonic fun. It's the kind of show where you sit back and just enjoy yourself. It has enough explosive energy, enough superb dancing, to make the evening a zippy experience. It may not be as expansive as was the MGM film on which it is based, but in its own right it'll be a happy relief from shows that engulf one in problems, messages and sexual misencounters. It's corn, it's sticky schmaltz, it's old-fashioned, but maybe this is the time for old time 'virtues.' Debby Boone is the star, but while she is good as Milly and sings well, she isn't much of an actress or dancer, and it is the brothers who take this show and sweep the stage with it. They arc a perfect ensemble. They are astonishing in their brilliantly staged dances by Jcrryjackson_, and they elco trify the stage with their precision and raw energy. Headed by David-James Carroll as Adam in a thoroughly ingratiating pertormance and with a fine singing voice, the brothers rise to one occasion after another. Each and every one is exceptional, with Craig Peralta, as Gideon, the standout; he sings well, dances well and has personality as an actor. However, Jeffrey Reynolds (Ephraim), Jeff Calhoun (Daniel), Michael Ragan (Frank), D. Scot Davidge (Benjamin) and Lara Teeter (Caleb) all create smaD marvels of explosion. Also good arc the brides, Linda Hoxit (Sarah), Sha Newman (Ruth), Laurel van der Linde (Martha). Jan Mussetter (Liza) and Nancy Fox, particularly good as Alice; they are all expert dancers too. The six town swains are Kevin McCready (Zeke). Gary Moss (Matt), Russell Giesenschlaf (Jeb), Don Steffy (Carl), Clark Stirling (Joel) and David Pavfosky (temporarily subbing for James Horvath) as Luke; they are in essence an ensemble within an ensemble. Others who are good in the cast are Gino Gaudio as Mr. Perkins, Jeanne Bates as Mrs. McClane and the Preacher's Wife and Manette LaChance as Dorcas. As good as the total is, there are some scenes that don't play too well, one being the confrontation scene between Gideon and Adam at the cabin. Most of the lines here were lost and those that could be understood were not very illuminating. Also the overly saccharine "Glad That You Were Born" sequence with Milly is a bit hard to take. But these are minor flaws in a show that is geared to total enjoyment for all, even the cynics who veer away from sentimentality. David-James Carroll and Debby Boone having a wonderful day in "Seven Brides" Since the dances arc the highlight of the show two stand out, the "Social . Dance" and the "Wedding Dance!" SpectacularhMusic by Gene de Paul is tuneful if not memorable, and lyrics by Johnny Mercer nimbly move out of dialogue and right back into dialogue. The best songs are "Love Never Goes Away," sung by Craig Peralta, David-James Carroll, and Debby Boone; "Bless Your Beautiful Hide" robustly sung by Carroll and "Goin' Courting" another impressive number. New songs by Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn have been added. The light and improbable book is by Lawrence Kasha and David Landay. Lawrence Kasha directed with abandon and never lets things sag for more than a brief moment or two. His pacing is excellent. The settings by Robert Randolph consist mainly of backdrops with suggested frame buildings, and they show the results of touring. Costumes by Robert Fletcher are colorful without being ostentatious, and Thomas Skelton's lighting is subtle and tastefully done. Let's hope that New York will be given a chance to get on the hay wagon with this rather nostalgic show. It has the ingredients that used to make musicals smash hits. So, have we outgrown them? Let us hope not.