ent001648-039

Ft Lau?·>c.&t>a Wednesday, February**, 1979 The TRIBUNE Page 15 7 Brides For 7 Brothers Makes A By A1 Capitano One of the finest musicals ever written directly for the screen was ?╟ Seven Brides for Seven Brothers*; The film was released by MGM in 1954 and was named one of the ten best for that year, I don?╟╓t know why it took so long, but now, nearly a quarter century later, that hit film has been transformed into a stage musical. Now at Parker Playhouse, through Feb. 24, ?╟ Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' stars the same leading performers as did the film: Howard Keel and Jane Powell. Before the Parker curtain went up, I had my doubts about seeing this remake. Normally when a play is successful, the film version follows. In this case, the situation was reversed. That usually makes an inferior stage presentation. Well, I was wrong. By the end of the opening night performance, I felt as good and happy about ?╟ Seven Brides?╟╓ as I did after seeing ?╟ A Chorus line?╟╓. A half dozen of the Johnny Mercer-Gene de Paul songs from the original have been augmented with some new numbers by A1 Kasha and Joel Hirchhom. Although the ?╟ June, moon and spoon?╟╓ songs are on the trite side ?╟÷ j none of the original songs have ever become musical; standards the music is ?√ß charming.. The plot is pure Americana and cane sugar sweet: Adam Pontipee (Keel) sets' out for town with a grocery: list which includes finding'm bride to cook, take care of the homsestead and take care of himself and his six brothers. Inside the local bar he finds Milly (Miss Powell) and asks her to marry him. It was true love at first sight (of her cooking). She says yes and the two ride off into the sunset Singing Don?╟╓t Need Anyone But You?╟╓ ?╟÷ one of the new tunes. Adam never did tell her about the rest of the family and when she arrives at the Pontipee place she croons, ?╟ I Married Seven Brothers?╟╓ ?╟÷ another new one. When the brothers decide to socialize with members of the fair sex, Milly gives them lessons, ?╟ Goin?╟╓ Courtin?╟╓ \ This is one of the carry-overs from the original and is delightful. At the town social, problems arise and a fight ensues. The first act ends with ?╟ The Challenge Dance?╟╓ ?╟÷ a segment similar to the dance hall number in ?╟ West Side Story?╟╓. Act Two finds the brothers ?╟ stealing?╟╓ their brides and taking them back to the farmhouse where Milly quickly orders the men to the barn for the rest of the winter as punishment, Adam huffs off to a mountain cabin in protest to Milly?╟╓s actions. By the end of the play, everyone is married and lives happily ever after (?╟ The Wedding Dance?╟╓). What makes this stage presentation so great is the fantastic dancing by the graphy makes this musical i Talking to some oi the cast the hit that it is. _/ members during the east A fine cast of singers and party at La Scala, I learned dancers ?╟÷: most of whom are from Los Angeles ?╟÷ add to the production, as does Jack McAdams?╟╓ excellent sets, ?╟ Seven Brides?╟╓ had been scheduled for a four-week run at Parker before going on the road and eventually ending up on Broadway. the play will dose, at the end of a three-week run Persons holding tickets for Feb. 26 through March 3 (original closing date; should contact the box office as soon as , possible ( 764-0700).