A spokesperson for the not-for-profit previously told Playbill.com that the musical, which has been reworked by director Scott Schwartz, would play at least through April 15. "We have funding for payroll at least through Sunday (April 15)," spokesperson Shayne Miller told Playbill.com.
It is still uncertain, however, if the production will be able to complete its run, which had been scheduled to play through May 13.
An April 13 press statement from Paper Mill managing director Diane Claussen said, "Although the theatre is engaged in accelerated negotiations to obtain a 'bridge loan' that would allow us to finish the season, it will likely take a minimum of two weeks to complete the loan process. We need to raise an additional $500,000 to get us through the next two weeks of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers."
Michelle Dawson (Milly) and Edward Watts (Adam) head the Seven Brides cast; the company also features Jason Babinsky (Joel), Becky Barta (Mrs. Sanders), Randy Bobish (Benjamin), Ryan Christopher Chotto (Zeke), Margot De La Barre (Martha), Christian Del Croix (Gideon), Stephanie Fritto (Sarah), Christina Rae Hedrick, Cameron Henderson (Jeb), Nathan Hershberger, Sarah Marie Jenkins (Alice), Travis Kelley (Ephraim), Luke Longacre (Caleb), Kate Marilley (Ruth), Andy Paterson (Mr. Hoallum), Denise Payne (Liza), Benjie Randall (Matt), Luke Rawlings (Luke), Shane Rhoades (Swing), Eric Sciotto (Frank), Dan Sharkey (Mr. Sanders), Tina Stafford (Mrs. Hoallum), Tiffany Sudol (Swing), Nick Sullivan (Preacher) and Karl Warden (Daniel).
Set in 1850s Oregon territory, the musical, according to press notes, "tells the story of Adam and his brothers' pursuit of brides. Adam, the eldest of seven brothers, goes to town to get a wife and convinces a young woman named Milly to marry him that same day. They return to his backwoods home, only for Milly to discover that all six of Adam's brothers also live in the log cabin. She sets out to reform the uncouth siblings, who are anxious to get wives of their own. Then, Adam develops an inspired solution to his brothers' loneliness…kidnap the women they want!" The creative team for Seven Brides also includes Patti Colombo (choreographer), Tom Helm (musical director), Don Holder (lighting designer), Christopher "Kit" Bond and Randy Hanson (sound designers), Jess Goldstein (costume designer) and Anna Louizos (set designer).
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is based on both the Stephen Vincent Benet novel "The Sobbin' Women" and the 1954 film. The musical was penned by Gene de Paul (music), Johnny Mercer (lyrics) and Lawrence Kasha and David S. Landay (book). New songs were created by Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn with music by Saul Chaplin and de Paul, and lyrics by Mercer.
The Paper Mill Playhouse is located on Brookside Drive in Millburn, NJ. For tickets call (973) 376-4343 or visit www.papermillorg.
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Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is a joint production with Theater Under the Stars in Houston, North Shore Music Theatre in Massachusetts and Theater of the Stars in Georgia.
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To make a donation to the Paper Mill Playhouse, call (973) 379-3636 ext. 2SAV or visit the theatre's website.
