California students find ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’
CALIFORNIA – California Area High School students will perform Steven Vincent Benet’s “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” during three shows set for Wednesday through Friday, March 5-7. Adam Pontipee, a rough backwoodsman of the Oregon Territory, played by junior James Sible, heads to town determined to return home with a wife. He succeeds by winning the affection of local waitress Milly, a young orphan who dreams of cooking and caring for one special man, played by senior Candice Jones.
The new bride’s joy is quickly shattered when she arrives home with Adam and discovers that he shares his cabin with his six unruly younger brothers, Benjamin, Caleb, Daniel, Ephram, Frankincense and Gideon (played by juniors Kyle Niccolai, Parke Bongornio, Evan Reynolds and Zach Buday and sophomores James Painter and Dan Santo).
Milly teaches the boys the etiquette of “Goin’ Courtin'” and sends them into town for a social, where they can seek women of their own. When the party turns disastrous, the young brothers accept advice from Adam, who suggests they empathize the ancient Roman’s treatment of their “Sobbin’ Women” by kidnapping six potential sweethearts (seniors Alex Bennett, Gemai Shen, Amy Wohar and Stacey Jones and juniors Keren Hall and Christina Heino).
The 14 men and women spend a very interesting winter trapped in the mountain homestead. When the spring thaw finally arrives, it brings a variety of surprising blessings. Junior Kate Bennett is stage manager. Senior Kristy Caster is house manager and junior Dana Slavic is props manager. Samantha Lawrence is dance captain, assisted by sophomore JoAnna Encapera. Dara Drupp is scenic artist. Local pianist Brad Henry once again lends his expertise to California’s annual senior play, as does director Lori Martin.
Members of the supporting cast and chorus are Eugene Axton, Chris Cope, Dara Drupp, Luke Hixon, James Holman, Seven King, Samantha Lawrence, Myles Nickolich, Seth Prentice, Nigel Wright and Danny Yurkovich as well as Drew Dunlevy, Alison Edwards, JoAnna Encapera, Rebecca Evans, Tasha Hasbrouck, Sherry Hixenbaugh, Roxanne Kuznar, Ashley Neil, Natalie Pappas, Alex Petro, Ashley Riva and Lisa Sible.
Ticket sales will be held in the school store near the high school auditorium entrance from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday. Tickets may also be purchased through the mail. Those ordering tickets are asked to make checks payable to CAHS Class of 2003 and send to California Area High School, 293 Malden Drive, Coal Center, Pa. 15423.
Tickets will also be sold at the door on the night of each performance.
All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. in California Area High School’s auditorium, 293 Malden Road, Coal Center.
For more information, call the high school’s main office at 724-785-5800.