AHS raises curtain on ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’

Tamara Helland, school counselor for Stevens Elementary, is once again directing the high school’s annual musical production.

By Kat Bryant • November 13, 2018 1:30 am

Aberdeen High School will raise the curtain this weekend on “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” the play adapted from the 1954 film of the same name.

Tamara Helland, school counselor for Stevens Elementary, is once again directing AHS’ annual musical production.

“I love working with this group of kids. They have been respectful, focused and determined,” she said. “But most of all, they’ve been a lot of fun. We laugh a lot at our rehearsals.”

Set in 1850s Oregon, the story starts with Adam, a pioneer farmer, meeting and marrying Milly, a townswoman, to keep house for himself and his six unruly brothers. His six brothers decide to take brides of their own — by kidnapping them. But in the end, the seven savvy women show them who’s really in charge.

The cast features 14 Aberdeen seniors.

The starring roles of Milly Bradon and Adam Pontipee are being played by seniors Kendall Cavin and Ben Fagerstedt, respectively. Adam’s six brothers are being played by Trevor Mullin, Dakota Cruikshank, Parris Nicholson, Justin Haven, Andy Blake and Evan Weidman.

Twelve students will share the brides’ roles in this production: Marissa Wagner, Kathryn Weidman, Brielda Manu, Madi Niemi, Hania Bielec, Zoe Templeton, Michaela Leach, Allison Patterson, Hannah Mareth, Brooke Solan, Alessia Loreno, Savannah Chandler and Lauren Fagerstedt.

“We’ve tried lots of new things, learned lots of new dances, and played with fun acting choices,” said Helland. “Every student in our cast has stepped up with the attitude of ‘Sure, I’ll try it’ or ‘Yes, we can do that.’ And that has made this year very exciting.

“I’m very proud of how much they’ve learned and how hard they’ve worked to make this a great show.”

The musical opens this weekend at the high school, 410 N. G St., with performances at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The run continues the following weekend, with the addition of a Sunday 2 p.m. matinee to close the show Nov. 25.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students, available at the Tinder Box, Harbor Drug and the school office.

Local businesses help support the AHS drama program. To make a donation, please contact Kim Edwards at 360-538-2052.