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ent000294-013

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ent000294-013
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University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Libraries

Seven Brides dazzle of film ures PUT REVIEW ?√ß y ';. ;' . jurr1 Debby Boone, David-James Carroll ByLUAINELEE Entertainment Editor Now this is more like it! The Log Angeles Civic Light Opera has tried to sell some slippery stuff to its L.A. audience, what with the likes of "Chicago" and '-Umbrellas of Cherbourg"and "Sweeney Todd/' ' - But when you get gussied up or a night on the town you crave a little fun -~ some lighthearted musical with foot-snarling dancing qnd songs you can hum. They've done that and more; with "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers," now pt the Music Center Pavilion. The production* which is bound for Broadway, breathes with that old-fashioned lest we've come to expect* from musicals. Of course, it's not really new. The show is an expanded version of the hit 1954 movie musical of the same name: With four new songs by Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn and breath-bating choreography by Jerry Jackson, "Seven Brides for Sev/feV Brothers ' almost matenes the movie's scope. Debby Boone (yes, that Debby Boone ?╟÷ Pa?╜v> daughter) delights as the sweet victim of the u* feeling Adam (David-James Carroll) who marries her so he can acquire a cheap hired girl to clean up after his six oafish brothers. With a clear and sure voice (of limited range) Ms. Boone's Milly ii touching and tender, almost introverted. In contrast to her reticence are the six brothers, most of whom are allowed to overact outrageously. Clearly at fault here is director Lawrence Kasha who permits Craig Peralta's slapstick to weaken the inherent humor of the play. And occasionally Kasha stumbles over his own cuteness, especially when Peralta (as the youngest brother) and Nancy FpMAJice) pair off for some excessively sweet nothings. Aside ttom th^se lapses the production sings with joy. And Jthe t?ld song?, by Johnny Mercer and Gene DePaul, remain the best. Most remarkable is "Love Never Goes Away," $ung in eloquent counterpoint bjr'Ms. Boone, Carroll and Peralta. put by far the show.stoppers of the evening are the dance numbers ?╟÷, simmering mixtures of the jig, the reel, the square dance and the Clog, (with some gymnastics thrown in) they brim with energy. The chorus work of the seven women fares better than the men's. Although the <?ast is miked, there were "some sound problems opening mgnt and the male voices .did, not blend as well aa those of the females. ' X (; ,,, f ^ '.