Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (musical)

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is a musical with a book by Lawrence Kasha and David Landay, lyrics by Johnny Mercer, and music by Gene de Paul, Al Kasha, and Joel Hirschhorn. It is based on the 1954 film of the same name, which itself was inspired by the story "The Sobbin' Women" by Stephen Vincent Benét.

Synopsis: The story is set in Oregon in 1850. Adam Pontipee, a rugged backwoodsman, goes to town to find a wife. He convinces Milly, a young woman working at a local diner, to marry him. He brings her back to his remote mountain cabin, where she discovers he has six uncouth and unsophisticated brothers. Milly decides to civilize the brothers and find them wives of their own. When her efforts prove successful, the brothers, impatient for wives, kidnap six women from the nearby town. After an avalanche traps the women in the Pontipee cabin for the winter, Milly, in disgust, helps them escape back to town in the spring. When they are discovered to be pregnant, their fathers force the brothers to marry them.

Notable Productions: The stage musical premiered in 1978 and has had numerous regional and international productions. It has also toured extensively. While never a major Broadway hit, it remains a popular choice for community and amateur theatre groups due to its familiar story, energetic choreography, and singable score.

Musical Numbers (selection):

• "Bless Your Beautiful Hide"
• "Wonderful, Wonderful Day"
• "One Man"
• "Goin' Courtin'"
• "Barn Dance"
• "June Bride"

Critical Reception: The musical has received mixed reviews. Some critics praise the energetic dance numbers and catchy tunes, while others criticize the plot's outdated themes and questionable depiction of relationships and gender roles. The storyline concerning abduction has also drawn criticism in modern times.