BRIDES & BROTHERS: `SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS' OPENS AT NOTRE DAME (PLAY REVIEW)

Sophomore Jessica Hency plays the female lead Milly.

Gymnastic dance sequences are a highlight of the Notre Dame production.

As musicals go, "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" lacks memorable tunes and there's a waferish plot in which seven uncouth brothers kidnap seven brides with the help of an avalanche.

Make that six brothers and six brides. The oldest uncouth brother, Adam, actually persuades lonely Milly to marry him, but only because she doesn't know there are six more like him at home to cook for and pick up after.

The fun in Notre Dame High School's production of this musical lies in the gymnastic hoedown dance sequences and the charm of the performances. Leading the way are the six brothers, played by Ben LeGrand, Jeremy Burford, Michael Renick, Tom Berkbigler, Scott Strattman and Sean Seyer, who bound about the stage doing cartwheels and flips with thrilling abandon.

Their opposite numbers, Tara Mosby, Sarah Essner, Alexandra Kohlfeld, Nina Prost, Katy McCann and Beth Essner, do less vaulting but Deana R. Pecord's choreography sets a lively pace for everyone.

Directed by Cynthia R. King with musical direction by Ellen Seyer, "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" debuts at 8 tonight and continues through Sunday.

At the heart of this musical with lyrics by Johnny Mercer and music by Gene de Paul is the relationship between the oldest brother Adam (Bryan Schaefer) and his bride Milly (Jessica Hency). Her love for him transcends hearing Adam advise youngest brother Gideon (Sean Seyer) that "One girl's pretty much like another."

The song the three of them sing together, "Love Never Goes Away," is one of the high points of the show.

Schaefer is a proficient singer who imparts Adam with the stubborn solidness the role demands. Hency, who as a freshman last year was dazzling as the gangster's moll Bonnie in "Anything Goes," is even better and startlingly assured as Milly.

"Glad You Were Born," the song she sings to her infant, is lovely, as is her duet with Schaefer, a reprise of "Love Never Goes Away."

Appearing as the brides' rival suitors in the production are Robert Macklem, Matt Fisher, Michael Sander, Sean Hagan, Steven Bucher and Joe Essner.

The townspeople are Kelly Fisher, Kara Mason, Krissi Cox, Melanie Beel, Briana Welker and Natalie Jones. Also appearing as townspeople are Bethani Vandeven, Natalie LeGrand, Chad Heuschober, Ben Edwards, Mark Buehrle, Chris Hoffman and Mathew Essner.

The orchestra, conducted by Jim Hindman, includes Lenny Kuper, Kris Springer, Narvol Randol Jr., Shannon Randol, Dr. Dan Cotner, Tim Cannon, Mary Polsgrove, Ann Welker, Heather Buncher, Lydia Eddy, Shane Keefe, Mark Koehler and Tyler Kennedy.

The assistant to the director is Julie Stoverink, and the assistant to the chroeogrpaher is Louisa Kinder.