Mercury Seven summon the last group. The tests included spending hours on treadmills and tilt tables, submerging their feet in ice water, three doses of castor oil, and five enemas. Six candidates were rejected as too tall for the planned spacecraft. Another 33 failed or dropped out during the first phase of exams. Four more refused to take part in the second round of tests, which eliminated eight more candidates, leaving 18. From the 18, the first seven NASA astronauts were chosen, each a "superb physical specimen" with an IQ above 130, and the ability to function well both as part of
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (musical) among them - and fans of the show chanted and held picket signs demanding Rich retract his review presumably in vain hopes of a resultant reprieve for "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers".) "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" would receive a Tony Award nomination for Best Original Score. The musical premiered in the West End at the Old Vic, starting on July 2, 1985 and running for 41 performances. It starred Roni Page and Steve Devereaux and included Michaela Strachan as the bride Liza. The show also played at The Prince of Wales Theatre, Leicester Square produced by Michael Winter, and