To celebrate our grand reopening of Theatre 1, we present this eye-popping widescreen extravaganza, now seven decades old: a rousing and ridiculous adaptation of Stephen Vincent Benet’s short story "The Sobbin’ Women" (itself a retelling of the Roman myth of Romulus’ capture of the Sabine women). 

The production, touted by contemporary ads as "In Blushing Color," was directed by film musical GOAT Stanley Donen (SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, ROYAL WEDDING), featuring lush, hand-painted backdrops and rainbow-hued mise-en-scene that'd make Douglas Sirk turn red. Michael Kidd’s balletic and gymnastic choreography of life in the Oregon Territory circa 1850 remains some of the most beloved dancing ever put on film – an unlikely marriage of sophistication and corn, as only Hollywood’s Golden Age could produce. 

Led by tall drink o’ water Howard Keel as eldest brother Adam and the indomitable Jane Powell as his sturdy bride Milly, SEVEN BRIDES’ cast is stacked with professional dancers, including lithe Julie Newmar, spunky Russ Tamblyn, and radiant NYC Ballet principal Jacques d’Amboise. And if that’s not enough for you, there’s a zany grab bag of Johnny Mercer tunes (including “Lonesome Polecat”) and an unforgettable pas-de-deux with a hatchet. 

See you at the altar!  (Gabriel Wallace and Alice Quinlan)