BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY Extended To May 5

THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY - the heartfelt, intimate musical based on Robert James Waller's tender story of love, regrets and second chances - will play an additional two weeks to meet audience demand, according to Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre Artistic Director Fred Anzevino. The new closing date is now Sunday, May 5. Theo Ubique's production, which opened to the press on March 11, earned raves from critics and has been playing to near-capacity houses since its opening. Giving the production 3-1/2 Stars, the CHICAGO TRIBUNE's Chris Jones said leading actress Kelli Harrington "shines in a Broadway-worthy performance." Catey Sullivan, writing for the CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, said "the supporting cast is a delight" and called the show " a genuinely moving story of loss, longing and sacrifice." WTTW's Hedy Weiss said music director Jeremy Ramey has "a genius for conjuring a symphonic sound with a five-piece ensemble." The entire cast will continue with the production for the two-week extension.

Kelli Harrington (left) and Tommy Thurston (right). Photo by Cody Jolly Photography.

This is the second show of Theo Ubique's first season in its new home at 721 Howard Street in Evanston. Kelli Harrington plays Francesca Johnson, an Italian war bride living in rural Iowa in 1965 who meets and falls in love with a handsome globe-trotting photographer while her husband and children are out of town at a 4-H convention. Harrington won Jeff awards as a leading actress in a musical for her roles in Theo Ubique's THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA and ASPECTS OF LOVE, and last year earned raves for her Desiree in BoHo Theatre's A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC. Tommy Thurston, who this past fall was praised for his role of Bill Starbuck in BoHo's 110 IN THE SHADE, is the photographer Robert Kincaid. Carl Herzog, a hit with audiences and critics alike in Theo Ubique's MY WAY: A MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO Frank Sinatra, plays Francesca's farmer husband Bud Johnson.

Molly LeCaptain (of Theo Ubique's THE FULL MONTY and a 2018 Jeff Award nominee for her multiple roles in Pride Films and Plays' YANK! A WWII LOVE STORY), has the role of Kincaid's ex-wife Marian, seen in flashbacks. Kate Harris (Theo's THE FULL MONTY) and Randolph Johnson (Jacques Brel'S LONESOME LOSERS OF THE NIGHT) are Francesca's neighbors Charlie and Marge. Francesca and Bud's teenage children Michael and Carolyn are played by Christopher Ratliff (BoHo's 110 IN THE SHADE) and Peyton Shaffer (Jane Banks in Paramount's MARY POPPINS). Completing the cast are Matt Frye (following his role as Jerry in THE FULL MONTY) and Lizzie Cutrupi, making her Theo Ubique debut. Understudies are Michelle Owens (State Fair Singer/Marian), Lizzie Cutrupi (Francesca), Bradley Kieper (Robert, Charlie), Brandon Michaud (Michael/ensemble), Hannah Simpson (Marge), Colie Smigliani (Carolyn).

The production team includes Colt Frank (scenic design), Bill Morey (costume design), James Kolditz (lighting design), Robert Hornbostel (sound design), Giselle Castro (sound engineer), Aubrey Adams (dance sequences), Matt Zalinski (properties design), Kathy Logelin (dialect coach), Courtney Crouse (assistant director), Hai Alvarez-Millard (stage manager), and Ben Lipinski (technical director). The intimacy was choreographed by the actors themselves with their full consent, in a safe environment and under the guidance of the artistic staff.

All performances are in the new Howard Street Theatre, 721 Howard Street, Evanston. Single tickets and two-show season tickets are now on sale at www.Theo-u.com or by phone at 773-347-1109.