Anyone who has loved and lost due to the circumstances in their lives will identify with the lovers in “The Bridges of Madison County,” the Tony Award winning musical continues through Jan. 17 at Center Theatre Group’s Ahmanson Theatre. Based on the best-selling novel by Robert James Waller, it tells the story of Iowa housewife Francesca Johnson and her life-changing, four-day whirlwind romance with traveling photographer Robert Kincaid. It’s an unforgettable story of two people caught between decision and desire, as a chance encounter becomes a second chance at so much more.
No doubt most in the audience have seen the movie starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep, but the staged musical with music and lyrics by three-time Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown (“Parade,” “The Last Five Years”) and book by Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Marsha Norman (“The Secret Garden,” “The Color Purple,” “‘night, Mother”) adds in more of the leads’ family members and Iowa farming neighbor’s reactions to what is going on with Robert and Francesca while her husband and children are away competing at the State Fair.
Skillfully directed by Tony Award winner Bartlett Sher (“South Pacific,” “The King and I,” “The Light in the Piazza”), multi-location scenes are often juxtapositioned with the lovers’ story against other situations in their lives, adding more depth and sadness to the love story that should have been but was doomed from the start. Sher does give us one moment of hope that the musical will end differently and that moment gives romantics a chance to believe it will all work out for Robert and Francesca.
Wonderfully performed by Elizabeth Stanley as Francesca and Andrew Samonsky as Robert Kincaid, these two accomplished actors allow us to see and wholeheartedly experience their 4-day affair with all the longing and revelations the relationship creates for both lovers. Stanley is a marvelous singer who allows Francesca’s deep-seated loneliness as well as her steadfast devotion to her family on a farm that bores her to shine through every scene. Samonsky shares Robert’s hesitation to get involved with Francesca, as well as his overwhelming love for this simple Iowa housewife who longs for a more exciting life that has passed her by.
Francesca’s family encompasses her husband Bud (Cullen R. Titmas), her son Michael (Dave Thomas Brown) and daughter Carolyn (Caitlin Houlahan), all of whom are going to the Iowa State Fair where Carolyn is going to attempt to win the Best of Fair contest with her prize steer. Brown and Houlahan are adorably accurate in their sibling rivalry, during which we learn Michael hates farming and plans to escape, all the while knowing Carolyn will no doubt stay and take care of the family farm.
As the story unfolds, we learn from Bud how he fell in love with Francesca in Italy during World ware II just as if she was “Something From a Dream.” But even though he still feels that way, it is very apparent Francesca longs for something other than cooking and cleaning while stuck in the middle of nowhere.
Francesca’s busybody but truly caring neighbor Madge is hysterically brought to life by Mary Callahan who spies Robert’s truck out of her kitchen window and realizes what is going on when it stays parked there overnight. Madge and her husband Charlie (David Hess) are an ordinary mid-West farming couple who resemble many other long-married and slightly bored couples anywhere in the world. When Madge sings the soulful “Get Closer” as Francesca and Robert do just that, hearts will melt knowing it is what she wishes for herself and her often emotionally distant husband.
“The Bridges of Madison County” features a marvelously abstract, movable scenic design by two-time Tony Awardwinner Michael Yeargan, with mood-enhancing lighting design by two-time Tony Award winner Donald Holder. All set pieces are moved on and off stage by ensemble members, several of whom sit onstage dressed as farmers until called upon to swiftly change the scene. The “bridge” lowers into place, and amazingly three bare-boned arches totally create the illusion when Francesca and Robert visit the location where their love story blossoms.
Do not be mistaken that this musical is just for women. I can attest to the gentleman sitting next to me who was enthralled with every scene and even shared moments of tears with many of those in the audience as the story unfolds. It is a tale for lovers and those of us who will never forget that special someone with whom love was meant to be but never was. Bring tissues and walk away with a heart full of love, both real and unrequited.
The Ahmanson Theatre is the second stop on a 15-city tour, which began in Des Moines,
Iowa, home of the famous bridges of Madison County, after which the show is named.
To purchase tickets for the Ahmanson Theatre presentation, visit www.CenterTheatreGroup.org, call 213-972-4400 orvisit the Center Theatre Group box office at the Ahmanson Theatre. Ticket prices start at $25. The Ahmanson Theatre is located at the Music Center, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. And don’t forget to take a Metrolink train there to avoid fighting traffic.
