BY BOB CURTRIGHT
The Wichita Eagle

"Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" is a big, sprawling, old-fashioned Broadway musical -- by way of Hollywood, of course.

And Music Theatre of Wichita's production -- directed with graceful flow by Wayne Bryan -- is lively, athletic, boisterous entertainment where the music is hummable and the dance is glorious.

It's a showcase for male dancers, particularly, in this tale of seven backwoods frontier brothers who kidnap rather than court the prettiest girls in town to be their wives.

Some of the relationship conflicts are musty and corny today. Equality issues are moot. But this period -- both frontier and 1950s -- romantic fantasy of the "civilizing" of the brothers by "mere women" is still a joyous excuse for all the rompin', stompin' production numbers.

Choreographer Peggy Hickey whips up three. The first -- at the town social -- stopped the show with extended applause opening night. There was also a terrific wedding finale filling the entire Century II stage with 26 dancers cavorting at once.

But my personal favorite was an ethereal spring fling number with the brothers and brides barefoot in the meadow. Lovely, lyrical and balletic, it's reminiscent of the famous dream ballet of "Oklahoma!"

Edward Watts (Frank Butler in "Annie Get Your Gun" two years ago) as oldest brother Adam is a tall, commanding presence with a thunderous baritone. His "Bless Your Beautiful Hide" gets the music off to a solid, macho start.

Soprano Kim Huber, back for her 10th show, is a spunky delight as Adam's willful bride, Milly, who is determined to protect the girls from the brothers until proper etiquette -- marriage -- is observed.

She is the heart and soul of the show, and her "Wonderful, Wonderful Day" and "Glad That You Were Born" are highlights.

Except for youngest brother Gideon (Roy Lightner, back for his fourth summer), who finally stands up to Adam for his chauvinism toward women, the brothers, brides and suitors are mostly interchangeable. Sad to say, that's the way it's written.

But together as an ensemble with leaps, lifts, throws and high-stepping kicks, they are the exuberance and energy that drive this old war horse to the finish line and into the winner's circle.