ent000294-014

review Wednesday, may 12, 1982 review THEATER Fun to revisit the Pavilion for heady 'Brides' By Sabrina Gledhill Assistant Review Editor Done well, mindless entertainment can be rewarding, if only because it induces forgetfulness and is not as habit-forming as a stiff drink. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, which opened May 4 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, anesthetizes the angst induced by life's harsh realities, if only temporarily. Not for die-hard cynics, this staged version of the famous film presents a world in which people fall in love at first sight, women accept roles as cooks and laundry maids, and absolutely everyone can dance and sing. Placed under the civilizing influence of women, the scruffiest roughnecks shed hair and dirt to become eligible bachelors. Even the hardest- headed, anti-romantic character is eventually persuaded to bill and coo with the rest. Staged with imaginative scenery, lively music and dancing, dancing and more dancing. Seven Brides pulls it off for most. If you can die from grinning for over two hours, the production might be lethal. The best-known member of the cast is Debby Boone as Milly, the first of the seven brides and instigator of six other marriages. Milly doesn't mind cooking and washing for one man, but seven are much too much ?╟÷ so she plans to have six girlfriends marry her brothers-in-law and share in the chores. Boone's major achievements seem to be a hit record, "You Light Up My Life," in 1977, and calling Pat Boone "father." This is her first theatrical appearance, and although she seemed uncomfortable at times on opening night, she managed to give some fire to the pure, sweet character of Milly. The plot of Seven Brides is fairly simple, involving the requisite number of twists and the obligator} multiple marriage made so popular by Shakespearean comedies. A more direct reference to classic works is an echo of the rape of the Sabine women by Boone and company kick up their heels in 'Seven Brides' the founders of Ancient Rome. Plutarch is actually cited by one brother as the author of "The Sobbin' Women'1 {coincidentally the name of the short story by Stephen Vincent Benet upon which the musical is partially based). Christian mores make the brothers' task more complex than that of the Romans ?╟÷ they have to carry off a preacher, too, or no hanky panky. It doesn't take the mind of Plutarch to guess just who they forget, dooming themselves to a cold and comfortless ^winter. Obviously, the plot is not what holds the production together. Th?· vivacious axe .dance in the opening scene, the_over- whelmingjy compiex, energetic and captivating Social Dance that forms the .climax oT the show, the Spring Dance and VVedding Dance are the lifeblood and pulse cof Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. ^Choreographed bv Jerry Jackson, the dances have a lively, kick-up-your-heels- jmci^do-a-cartwheel bounce appropriate to lhe_moocl of the musica 1. It is difficult to say how this pre- Broadway production will be received when it reaches its destination. As it is. Seven Brides is amusing, nostalgic (if there ever was such a period of purity and rustic innocence), lively, and well worth seeing. Call 460-4411 for information. The show will play until June 19.