Published: Thursday, March 11, 2010

By Jennifer Few
Madison Magazine

The award winning drama department at Bob Jones High School is preparing to bring of one of the most popular musicals to Madison.

Students will present Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. The musical runs April 8, 9, and 10 with evening performances at 7 p.m. in the Zompa Auditorium at Bob Jones, and a matinee on Saturday, April 10 at 2 p.m.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers was a musical film released in 1954. Set in 1850 Oregon, when a backwoodsman brings a wife home to his farm, his six brothers decide that they want to get married too. The only problem is that to get their own wives they ‘kidnap' women from the nearby town causing a string of hilarious situations. It received a 1954 Oscar nominee for Best Picture.

There are about 110 students involved in this student led production. Four of the young women included in the play have been in each of the Bob Jones productions over the past four years, which is significant considering the number of students who try out.

"Each school year I start with a clean slate when choosing a cast,” said instructor Mary Davis, who is helping to guide the students along with Dwayne Craft. “Some may get a part one year and don't the next; so for them to make all four years takes talent.”

Rachel Gosnell, Cassie Blake and Aly Fellows are seniors who will be involved in their last musical at Bob Jones before graduating in May.

Gosnell is helping to lead the cast as a student director.

"When I was told that I was selected for this year's student director I was so very excited!" said Gosnell. "I love to help out wherever possible."

"Rachel is such a unique girl. She has been involved on all levels of our plays the last four years. She had been on stage, worked in the pit and is now the student director," said Davis.

Blake has been cast as "Martha" one of the brides.

"I tried out for the lead part but would have accepted any part," she did. Blake was a chorus member the past two years.

Aly Fellows plays the lead role of Millie. She has been supporting lead roles for the past three years and was shocked to find she had been selected for the lead role this year.

"I was ecstatic," said Fellows. "I've tried for three years to get the lead and when I was told I had been selected for the lead role I was ecstatic!”