Valley View Students Presenting 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' this Weekend

Edna's Performing Arts Center will be transported back to Oregon in the 1850s as students present a series of "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" performances later this week.

This is the eighth consecutive year Director Elizabeth Chaigne and Music Director Catherine Zajac are overseeing the Valley View Middle School musical. But they're also joined by 2007 EHS graduate Emilia Allen, who recently returned to the Twin Cities after completing her studies at Bard College as a freelance director and stage manager.

More than 100 Valley View students have been involved in the production, which has a no-cut policy. The large cast and numerous ensemble scenes are part of the reason "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" was selected as this spring's musical.

The show will be performed in Edina High School's Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 11, through Saturday, April 13, with a 1 p.m. matinee performance on Saturday.

The musical centers on the story of Adam, a rugged mountain man who comes to town looking for a wife. He eventually charms and marries Millie, but she's surprised to meet his six younger brothers upon arrived at his rustic log cabin. Millie spends the rest of the show attempting to civilize and marry off her rowdy young brothers-in-law.

In an effort to give as many different students opportunities to participate in the show, the parts of Adam and Millie have been double-cast. Adam and Millie will be played by Ben Weiman and Kelly Good for the Thursday and Saturday evening performances, while Dylan Rickard and Emily Neville will play the roles on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon.

Reserved tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors. General admission tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased online at www.edina.k12.mn.us/valleyview, at the VVMS Cafeteria the week of the shows from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. or at the box office one hour before each performance.

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