THEATER:

Aficionados of old movie musicals generally include among their favorites the sparkling, dance-heavy, outdoor-themed “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.”

Headlined by Howard Keel and Jane Powell, and featuring Russ Tamblyn, the flick was among the top-ranked MGM musicals, from the era in which its lion roared with vigor.

Yet when the stage version opened on Broadway in 1982, it ran for only five performances.

Martie Ramm, who directs the annual musical productions at Golden West College, points out that, despite this initial lack of success, “Seven Brides” has been presented almost continually somewhere in the United States ever since. “The reason is simple,” she says. “Audiences love this musical.”

It’s rather strange that local audiences haven’t been exposed to it in the past quarter-century, but Ramm is about to rectify that oversight. Her early May production of it will be auditioning Feb. 5 and 6 in the college’s Mainstage Theater.

“I decided to approach ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’ with three goals in mind,” the director notes. “The first was to have the audience gasping for breath after watching the daredevil, energetic and lively dancing.

The second was to make the audience leave the theater with beautiful music resounding in their heads.

“The last goal was to honor the film’s choreographer, Michael Kidd, who created some of the most exciting choreography ever captured on film,” Ramm declares. Kidd was among the names in 2007’s celebrity obituary listings.

Auditions for “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” will be both days at 7 p.m. for dancers/singers for the roles of Milly, brothers, brides and suitors.

Those trying out for Adam or ensemble roles will be seen at 8:30. All roles are open.

For Ramm, who also is choreographing the show, and musical director Bruce Bales, this will be one of Golden West’s more ambitious undertakings.

The end results will be displayed May 2-11.

TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Independent.