BrightSide Theatre to Bring THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY to Naperville

BrightSide Theatre, Naperville's only professional theatre performing in the historic downtown district, kicks off their 7thSeason - Cinema to Stage - with the Western Suburb Premiere of two-time Tony Award winning Broadway musical The Bridges of Madison County.

Performing at the Theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall at North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth Street in Naperville November 3-19, 2017. Tickets are on sale now at www.brightsidetheatre.com, or by phone at 630-447-TIXS (8497). The press performance is Friday, November 3 at 8pm.

A talented ensemble of actors make up the Cast of The Bridges of Madison County: Laura Brennan (Chicago); Morgan Dietkus (Aurora); Julie Ann Kornak (Naperville), Justin Miller (Utica, KY); David Moreland (Chicago); Brandon Pisano (Elmhurst); Christine Ronna (Wilmington); Gary Smiley (Lisle); Shaina Summerville (Chicago); and Matt Whalen (Woodridge).

Our first production of our season of celebrating stories that have been adapted to the stage from the cinema has been called "one of the most unforgettable romantic stories ever written." The Bridges of Madison County first captured the nation's attention as a best-selling novel, then became an award winning film, is now an irresistible, two-time Tony Award-winning Broadway musical. Francesca Johnson, a beautiful Italian woman who married an American soldier to flee war-torn Italy, looks forward to a few days alone on her Iowa farm when her family heads to the 1965 State Fair. When National Geographic photographer Robert Kincaid pulls into her driveway seeking directions, a chance encounter becomes a four-day whirlwind romance caught between decision and desire -offering a second chance at so much more. This sweeping romance about the roads we travel, the doors we open and the bridges we dare to cross will leave audiences breathless.

IF YOU GO:

The Bridges of Madison County

Music and Lyrics: Jason Robert Brown
Book: Marsha Norman
Based on the novel by: Robert James Waller

Director: Jeffrey Cass
Musical Director: Jon Neuhoff

Cast: Julie Ann Kornak (Francesca), Justin Miller (Robert), Laura Brennan (Marion/Chiara), Morgan Dietkus (State Fair Singer), David Moreland (Paulo/Ensemble), Brandon Pisano (Michael), Christine Ronna (Marge), Gary Smiley (Charlie), Shaina Summerville (Carolyn),Matt Whalen (Bud)

Dates: November 3-19, 2017
Press Performance/Opening: Friday, November 3 at 8pm
Curtain Times: Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm; Sundays at 3pm

Location: Theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall at North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth Street, Naperville. IL 60540

Tickets: $30 Discounts: Students/Seniors $25. Groups 10+ /$23. Tickets are on sale now at www.brightsidetheatre.com, by phone 630-447-TIXS (8497) or the night of the performance at the box office at the Theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall at North Central College.

Jason Robert Brown (Music and Lyrics, Orchestrations) has won three Tony Awards for his groundbreaking work as composer, lyricist and orchestrator. His scores for Honeymoon in Vegas, The Bridges of Madison County, Parade, The Last Five Years, 13, The Trumpet of the Swan and Songs for a New World have brought is unique voice and highly personal songs to stages worldwide. A film of The Last Five Years staring Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan premiered in 2014. Jason's solo CD Wearing Someone Else's Clothes features his band, the Caucasian Rhythm Kings. Jason lives in NYC with his wife, composer Georgia Stitt, and their two genius daughters. Visit him on the web at?www.jasonrobertbrown.com.

Marsha Norman (Book) is a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and co-chair of Playwriting at Juilliard. She won a Tony Award for The Secret Garden, and another nomination for The Color Purple. Her other plays include Getting Out, Traveler in the Dark, Sarah and Abraham, The Laundromat, The Pool Hall, Loving Daniel Boone, Trudy Blue, and Last Dance. Published collections of her works include Four Plays, Collected Works of Marsha Norman, Vol. 1, and a novel, The Fortune Teller. She has also worked extensively in television and film and has an upcoming play for the UN about trafficking and violence toward women. She is a member of the Fellowship of Southern Writers, a former advisory member of the Sewanee Writers Conference, and current vice president of The Dramatists Guild of America. She serves on the boards of The New York Foundation for the Arts and the Independent Committee for Arts Policy. Ms. Norman was elected to the Agnes Scott College Board of Trustees in 2003. She lives with her two children in Monterey, MA and New York City.

ROBERT JAMES WALLER (Novelist) grew up in Rockford, Iowa, where his mother was a housewife and his father operated a small produce business. He was educated at the University of Northern Iowa and Indiana University, where he received his doctorate. He taught management, economics, and applied mathematics courses at the University of Northern Iowa from 1968 to 1991. He worked for more than 20 years as a musician (guitar, flute, singer/songwriter) playing nightclubs and concerts, and is a serious photographer. Among his publications is the best-selling novel, The Bridges of Madison County, with 12 million copies in print in 40-plus languages, and which was adapted into a major motion picture starring Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood. He published a total of seven novels, with sales of more than 17 million copies. Robert recently passed away in March of 2017.

JEFFREY CASS (Director/Artistic Director) a Joseph Jefferson Award Nominee most recently directed BrightSide Theatre's: Guys and Dolls, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Monty Python's Spamalot, The Sound of Music, It's a Wonderful Life: a Live Radio Play, Cabaret, RENT, Company, BrightSide Theatre's inaugural production - Run For Your Wife and also for BrightSide Theatre's Youth Project inaugural production of Disney's Alice in Wonderland, Jr., Disney's The Little Mermaid, Jr., Disney's Aladdin, Jr., Legally Blonde the Musical Jr., ?and Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr. ?He holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theater Performance from Roosevelt University where he also studied lighting design and stage management. He previously served as the Producing Director for Circle Theatre where he directed The Who's Tommy (6 Joseph Jefferson Nominations including Best Musical and Best Director) Neil LaBute's Bash and The Distance From Here (Midwest Premier), Burning Blue (Midwest Premier), Crazy for You, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Urinetown, Peter Pan and for their New Plays Festivals.

JON NEUHOFF (Music Director) is proud to be working with BrightSide Theatre!? Recent musical keyboard activities include Guys and Dolls, Beauty and the Beast (also music directed), and Spamalot with BrightSide Theatre; Cats with Elmhurst Children's Theater; Legally Blonde and Oklahoma with Summer Place Theatre; and selections from Annie, Oliver, Matilda, The Wiz, Hairspray, Rent, and Frozen with Broadway in Naperville.? He is also the accompanist for "Cellissimo" (a Suzuki cello ensemble), ballet classes for the Naperville School of Performing Arts, and various choirs, solos, auditions and competitions.

BrightSide Theatre (Jeffrey Cass, Artistic Director and Julie Ann Kornak, Executive Director) celebrates our 7th season as Naperville's only professional theatre performing in the historic downtown district. BrightSide Theatre is committed to Enlighten, Educate, and Entertain through comedies and inspirational stories from across the globe. BrightSide's shows are selected to be a unique blend of award-winners, premieres, modern works and timeless classics meant to reflect upon and inform our community. BrightSide Theatre is partially supported and funded by a generous grant from the City of Naperville. For more information on BrightSide Theatre, visit www.brightsidetheatre.com.

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