For this ‘Bride’ and ‘Brother,’ a musical trip back to the Wild West

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And she isn’t pleased when she learns that instead of using match.com to find their own wives, the brothers use a more archaic approach to their marriage proposals. (An original source material for the play is the ancient Roman story of “The Rape of the Sabine Women,” which involved the men of Rome holding mass abductions of young women from other cities.)

2.

The movie came first.

That would be the 1954 film directed by Stanley Donen and starring Howard Keel as Adam and Jane Powell as Milly. Known for its rousing choreography, the film includes a famous barn-raising dance (ending in the barn actually tumbling down) that delighted audiences. The film was nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards but lost to “On the Waterfront.”

The theatrical version opened on Broadway in 1982, and has been a staple of community theaters ever since.

3.

The music is wonderful.

That’s why Moran auditioned for Adam.

“This was my dream role,” he says. “I’ve always wanted to play the part. The music has been in my soul since I was a kid.”

The music is by Gene de Paul, Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn, and lyrics are by Johnny Mercer, Al Kasha and Hirschhorn.

4.

Moran and GCP go way back.

He’s an alum of the Junior Company and was in several mainstage shows many years ago, including “Grease” and “Paint Your Wagon.” But then grown-up life intervened. Moran served in the armed forces, and while he was able to keep his hand in singing — he performed the national anthem each year at the Marine Corps Ball — theater took a back seat. After that, family and business took precedence. But after a 15-year break, he knew he’d do whatever it took, time-wise, if he could be in “7 Brides.”

“It’s a 15-week commitment, so it’s really a lot of time away from family,” he says.

He continues to hone his singing chops on a regular basis, by the way, performing the national anthem for Bulldogs and Grizzlies games and veterans events. Once you hear his voice, you’ll know why.

“It’s an opportunity to sing for 90 seconds, and everyone has to stand up,” he says.

5.

Clark has had quite a variety of roles this year.

Her performances have included starring roles in “The Fantasticks” and “Urinetown.” GCP audiences will know Clark from “H.M.S. Pinafore” at the 2nd Space Theatre. She also understudied Eliza Doolittle in the GCP production of “My Fair Lady” — and ended up having to step into the title role several times when the leading actress got sick.

Good Company Players

Meg Clark plays Milly in ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.’

For “Seven Brides,” Clark’s challenge has been to update Milly in a way that presents her as a strong woman while still remaining faithful to the story. She’s worked with director Laurie Pessano to make Milly a well-rounded and empowered character.

The show has undergone changes since its Broadway debut. A song titled “A Woman Ought to Know Her Place” is long gone. (You can see why.) The show’s book was also extensively rewritten in 2006.

6.

There’s no big barn dance like in the movie, but there’s still a barn-burner of a number.

Making a barn fall down would probably have been a little beyond the scope of GCP’s budget (and most other theater companies). But the dancing in the show is still vigorous and energetic, and the barn number has been replaced by a Social Dance. Both Moran and Clark note (with just a trace of weariness) that their already intense rehearsal schedule (Mondays through Fridays) also included an extra Saturday dance class with choreographer Kaye Migaki.

By the way, Adam and Milly didn’t need to be champion dancers, for which they’re both thankful. “They get me to dance a little,” he says with a laugh.

7.

It’s good, clean, old-fashioned fun.

Moran notes that “Seven Brides” doesn’t exactly have a modern message. But it has a lot of heart.

“For me,” he says, “I love this show so much that I’ll never get tired of it.”

Show info

“Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” a Good Company Players production. Runs through Nov. 11 at Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater, 1226 N. Wishon Ave., Fresno. Tickets (some including dessert or dinner) are $32-$60.