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Theatre on a Shoestring

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Seven Brides for Seven Brothers


THE STORY


The setting is the 1850s Oregon wilderness. The brothers are the Pontipees -- orphan farm boys. At the urging of his six younger brothers, Adam, the eldest, goes to town in search of a bride. He meets Milly who works at the town restaurant, and, after a whirlwind courtship, the two agree to wed. Milly soon discovers that she has married into a small army of overaged adolescents, all of whom expect her to provide food and laundry service. She immediately sets out to transform them into the region's most eligible bachelors, with an eye to marrying them off as quickly as possible. Adam complicates things by convincing his brothers to find their own sweethearts when Milly's method fails. The Pontipee brothers go into town and abduct the six women they love, carrying them back to their mountain retreat, where marriage awaits them. But wait! An avalanche closes the pass behind them! Milly spends the winter chaperoning the brothers and the would-be brides until the spring thaw when the preacher is finally able to reach them to pronounce the multiple wedding vows. Bursting with action and bubbling with fun, this show tugs at the heartstrings and makes believers out of even the most hard-hearted skeptics.


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THE CAST


Adam Pontipee -- Jay Elsen

Benjamin -- Joe Hammes

Caleb -- Mark Lakowske

Daniel -- Anthony Scholze

Ephraim -- Scott Brooks

Frank -- Kyle Flaten

Gideon -- Jake Brooks

Milly -- Melissa Swigart

Dorcas -- Tessie Haun

Ruth -- Leanne Koller

Liza -- Jill Giudice

Martha -- Lindsey McNown

Sarah -- Anne Wachter

Alice -- Rachel Schmidt

Luke/Lem -- Ryan Eddy

Matt/Hank -- Eric Solberg

Joel/Harry -- Mike Kuderer

Carl/Sam -- Matt Simpson

Mr. Krebbs -- David Gaunky

Mr. Jones -- Bob Gaunky

Preacher Brown -- Frank Dloniak III

Mr. Bixby -- Josh Scholze

Mrs. Bixby -- Missy Herold

Mrs. Perkins -- Beth Pedretti

Mrs. Samson -- Sarah Sullivan

Mrs. Peabody -- Melissa Arnold

Mrs. Milburn -- Sara Weiner

Sally -- Lacey Marx

Tommy -- DJ Satterfield

Samuel -- Samuel Schauf

Samantha -- Beth Ascher

Billy -- Robert Arnold

Lucy Milburn -- Becca Brooks

Molly -- Leah Eddy

Clara -- Rachel Brooks

Elizabeth -- Teresa Arnold



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THE ORCHESTRA

Piano - Deb Ruckwardt
Flute -- Crystal Canady, Miranda Laufenburg
Clarinet -- Desiree Culpitt
Trumpet -- Alyssa Young, Fred Bolen
Bass Guitar -- Jym Farley
Percussion -- Lisa Jensen



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THE PRODUCTION STAFF

Musical Director -- Laurie Swigart
Pit Director -- Jon Marin
Stage Manager -- Emily Ascher
Box Office Manager -- Erv Elsen
Scene Construction -- Todd Brooks, Nate Scholze
Rick Koller, Larry Lakowske, Roger Swigart
Costume Design -- Patty Elsen
Scene Painting -- Russ Tock
Lighting Design -- Ben Richgruber
Stage Combat Instructor -- Paul Christopher
Choreographer -- Susanne Swanson-Wagner
Sound Design -- Wayne Lehrmann
Hair Dressers -- Lori Brueggen of Shear Experience, Sparta
Poster Design -- Pat Olbert
Makeup Design -- Laurie Swigart
Stage Crew -- Lindsey Eddy, Megan Jones, Micarah Larson



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THE SHOW

(Photos taken during dress rehearsal)

Got any wives in stock?
Got any wives in stock?
I'll keep you ALL in mind!
I'll keep you ALL in mind!
My stew can stand on its own two feet!
My stew can stand on its own two feet!
Marry me, Milly!
Marry me, Milly!
I hear mountain men turn into bears at midnight!
I hear mountain men turn into bears at midnight!
Marryin's for life...
Marryin's for life...
You didn't tell me you had brothers!
You didn't tell me you had brothers!
Now that I'm here...
Now that I'm here...
You can eat like pigs!
You can eat like pigs!
When you're in love...
When you're in love...
You boys clean up nicely.
You boys clean up nicely.
Oops, Benjamin!
Oops, Benjamin!
We're Goin' Couuuuuuuurtin'!
We're Goin' Couuuuuuurtin'!
Our boys will protect us!
Our boys will protect us!
Boy(s) meet Girl(s)
Boy(s) meet Girl(s)
Ta-Da!
Ta-Da!
FIGHT!
FIGHT!
Whatsa matter, Gideon?
Whatsa matter, Gideon?
Lonesome Polecats
Lonesome Polecats
AVALANCHE!
AVALANCHE!
Well that doesn't make you right, Adam!
Well that doesn't make you right, Adam!
What'll we do all winter?
What'll we do all winter?
June Brides
June Brides
Reunited
Reunited
MINE!
MINE!


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Milly and Brothers Milly and Brides

Our family portrait


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RETURN TO THEATRE ON A SHOESTRING