THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY Opens Tonight at the Ahmanson

The first national tour of THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY opens at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre tonight, December 10, 2015, and plays through January 17, 2016.

Joining the previously announced Elizabeth Stanley (On the Town, Million Dollar Quartet) as Francesca and Andrew Samonsky (The Hunchback of Notre Dame, South Pacific) as Robert are Cullen R. Titmas (The Last Ship, Avenue Q) as Bud, Mary Callanan (Mamma Mia!, Annie) as Marge, David Hess (Sweeney Todd, Annie Get Your Gun) as Charlie, Dave Thomas Brown (The Legend of Georgia McBride, Heathers) as Michael, Caitlin Houlahan (Parade at Lincoln Center) as Carolyn and Katie Klaus (THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY Original Broadway Cast Member, Bonnie & Clyde) as Marian/Chiara/State Fair Singer. The ensemble is comprised of Cole Burden (LES MISERABLES), Caitlyn Caughell (Newsies), Brad Greer (I Am Harvey Milk at Lincoln Center), Lucy Horton (Cats), Amy Linden (Cheer Wars), Trista Moldovan (The Phantom of the Opera), Jessica Sheridan (Sister Act), Matt Stokes (Jesus Christ Superstar), Tom Treadwell (Annie) and Bryan Welnicki (Peter and the Starcatcher).

The critically acclaimed musical features one of Broadway's most accomplished creative teams with music and lyrics by three-time Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown (Parade, The Last Five Years), book by Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Marsha Norman (The Secret Garden, The Color Purple, 'night, Mother) and direction by Tony Award-winner Bartlett Sher (South Pacific, The King & I, The Light in the Piazza), recreated by Tyne Rafaeli (Fiddler on the Roof, The King & I).

The team also includes scenic design by two?time Tony Award?winner Michael Yeargan (The Light in the Piazza, South Pacific), costume design by six?time Tony Award?winner Catherine Zuber (The King and I, South Pacific, The Light in the Piazza), lighting design by two?time Tony Award?winner Donald Holder (South Pacific, The Lion King), sound design by Jon Weston (Les Mise?rables, The Color Purple), wig and hair design by David Brian Brown, arrangements and orchestrations by Jason Robert Brown (Curious Incident, Sister Act), music supervision by Tom Murray (The Last Five Years, Parade), movement by Danny Mefford (Fun Home, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson) and casting by Telsey + Company/Cesar Rocha, CSA.

Based on the best?selling novel by Robert James Waller, THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, 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.

The Original Broadway Cast Recording of THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, now available on Ghostlight Records, was released on April 15, 2014, and debuted as the #1 Cast Recording on the Billboard charts. For more information or to purchase the Cast Recording, visit www.sh?k?boom.com/bridgesofmadisoncounty.

THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, national tour starts at the Des Moines Civic Center with performances beginning Saturday, November 28 and an official opening on Tuesday, December 1st. The tour will travel to more than 15 cities in its first season. For more information, visit www.BridgesMusical.com.

CAST BIOS:

ELIZABETH STANLEY (Francesca) recently starred as the man?crazed anthropologist Claire De Loone in the Broadway revival of On the Town (Drama Desk Nomination). Other roles originated on Broadway: Dyanne in Million Dollar Quartet, Allison in Cry?Baby, and April in the Tony Award?winning revival of Company. First National Tour: Kira in Xanadu. Off?Broadway: Gussie in the New York City Center Encores! production of Merrily We Roll Along, and The Nurse in Hello, Again (Transport Theatre Group-Drama League Nomination, Best Ensemble). Favorite regional roles: Kate in Kiss Me Kate, Sugar in Sugar, Constanze in Amadeus. TV: "Black Box," "Made in Jersey," "Fringe," "The Chappelle Show," and "PBS Great Performances ? Company." Graduate of Indiana University. www.elizabethstanley.net

ANDREW SAMONSKY (Robert) recently played Captain Phoebus in the American premiere of The Hunchback of Notre Dame at the Paper Mill and La Jolla Playhouse. Broadway: The Mystery of Edwin Drood
(Neville), Scandalous (Kenneth Ormisten, Original Cast Recording) and South Pacific (Lt. Cable, including
the Live from Lincoln Center PBS broadcast). Off?Broadway: Queen of the Mist as Frank Russell (Drama Desk Award nomination, original cast recording) and Encores! Productions of Fiorello! and Merrily We Roll Along. Original productions of Somewhere in Time (Richard, Portland Center Stage), Tales of the
City (Beauchamp, ACT), Little Miss Sunshine (La Jolla Playhouse, Joshua) and Disney's On the Record (Original Cast Recording). He's a soloist with symphonies across the country. TV/Film: "Elementary," "Guiding Light."

CULLEN R. TITMAS (Bud). Willie Nelson says it best, "On the road again..." Broadway/Nat'l Tour: Sting's The Last Ship, Billy Elliot (Tony), Avenue Q (Nicky/Trekkie). Off?Broadway: Avenue Q (Nicky/Trekkie). Disney: Finding Nemo, the Musical (original Marlin). NYC/Regional favorites: Waitress by Sara Bareilles at The American Repertory Theater, John and Jen, Aida (Radames), Footloose (Ren), Forever Plaid (Sparky), and the title role in Floyd Collins. TV: "Person of Interest." Film: I've seen SO many good movies. Thanks to all at Telsey and Co., and to my dudes at CGF.

MARY CALLANAN (Marge) comes to Bridges from playing Rosie in the closing company of Mamma Mia! Broadway, as well as Vegas/National Tour. Broadway: Annie. Tours: The Sound of Music, Big, Damn Yankees. Favorite regional roles: Rose in Gypsy, Mme. Thenardier in Les Mise?rables, Hattie in Follies, Rev. Hightower in Batboy, Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd and Mama Morton in Chicago. Cabaret work in NY, Boston, Provincetown, and yes, cruise ships. www.marycallanan.com

DAVID HESS (Charlie). Broadway: Sweeney Todd (Sweeney/Judge Turpin standby), Annie Get Your Gun (Frank Butler/Buffalo Bill standby). First National Tours: Sweeney Todd (Sweeney), Ragtime (Admiral Peary, Whitman). Carnegie Hall/Royal Albert Hall: Kristina (Daniel). Lincoln Center: Dessa Rose (Bertie). Off? Broadway: Prodigal, Love in a Thirsty Land. Regional theater: Shenandoah (Charlie; Chicago Jefferson Award), Jane Eyre (Rochester; San Francisco Bay Area Critics Award), Grand Hotel (Baron; Philadelphia Barrymore nominee). Film: New York Crossing, Tennessee Nights. TV: "The Americans," "Elementary," "The Good Wife," "Royal Pains." Happily married to actress Joan Hess. www.DavidHess.info

DAVE THOMAS BROWN (Michael) is a North Carolina bred Sagittarius with a serious case of Peter Pan syndrome, and no interest in a cure. He starred as Casey in the NYC premiere of The Legend of Georgia McBride at MCC, and as JD in Heathers: The Musical. Melchior in Spring Awakening (Cygnet Theatre ? SD Critics Circle Nomination), At Liberty Hall (Premiere Stages), Shakespeare's R&J (Cygnet Theatre), The Tempest (Taksu Theatre Co), Asking For Trouble (Ensemble Studio Theatre), These Seven Sicknesses (The Flea), Blogologues (Lively Productions). A proud graduate of UNCSA, he can be found up to no good on the information superhighway @davethomasbrown.

CAITLIN HOULAHAN (Carolyn) is a Cleveland, OH native and is so happy to be with the Bridges family! NYC: Parade in Concert (Lincoln Center, Iola Stover). Regional: Spelling Bee (Bucks Co, Olive), Theory of Relativity (Goodspeed, Julie), Carrie (Beck Center, Carrie, Cleveland Critics Circle Award). TV/Film: "Peter Pan Live!" The Bridges of Madison County, Full Casting Announced - Page 4 (Jane). Education: Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music grad. Special thanks to SMS. All her love to Ry, Bellatrix, and the Houla?fam who get her through everything. XOXO Insta: @caithoula

KATIE KLAUS (Marian/Chiara/State Fair Singer). Broadway: The Bridges of Madison County (State Fair Singer, u/s Marian/Chiara), Bonnie and Clyde (u/s Blanche), A Catered Affair (Alice, u/s Jane Hurley), Inherit the Wind (Gospel Quartet), The Times They Are A?Changin' (Cleo s/b). NYC: Follies at City Center Encores! (Young Sally). Regional: Queen Mother (Goodspeed), Band Geeks! (Goodspeed/Human Race Theater). Film/TV: Boardwalk, Commentary, "Empire." CCM grad, proud AEA member. Many thanks to CGF, Telsey + Co., cast, creative team, loving family, supportive friends and wonderful husband Jeff.

COLE BURDEN (Ensemble, u/s Robert).The 25th Anniversary Les Mise?rables (Paper Mill/Tour), Applause (City Center Encores!), Bonnie and Clyde (NYMF), Murder Ballad (Studio Theatre), The Secret Garden (Capital Rep), Himself and Nora (American Theatre Group), A Christmas Carol (Arvada Center), Legally Blonde (Marriott Lincolnshire), Grey Gardens (Philadelphia Theatre Company), Evita (Mason Street Warehouse), The War Dept, Red Eye Of Love (Eugene O'Neill Center). Film/TV: "Beautiful Creatures," The Rainbow Bridge Motel, "As The World Turns," "30 Rock."

CAITLYN CAUGHELL (Ensemble, u/s Carolyn, u/s Marian/Chiara/State Fair Singer) is thrilled to be part of the Bridges story! Seen in the original cast of Newsies on Broadway (understudied and performed the roles of Katherine and Medda Larkin). Favorite performances: Orlando Shakespeare (Broadway World Orlando Award, Eponine), Sacramento Music Circus, Kennedy Center, Hangar Theater, TriArts Sharon Playhouse, The York Theater. Studied vocal performance at NYU Steinhardt. Grateful for the opportunity to give back to arts education in her hometown of Bartlesville, OK through cmtonstage.com. Wouldn't be here without the support of family & friends, TGC, and Rickey. www.caitlyncaughell.com

BRAD GREER (Ensemble, Paolo, u/s Robert, u/s Michael). Off?Broadway/NY: The Orion Experience, I Am Harvey Milk (Lincoln Center). Regional: Les Mise?rables (Marius), Legally Blonde (Emmett), Grease (Johnny Casino, Danny u/s), Joseph...Dreamcoat (Simeon). Brad is also a proud member of The Broadway Boys, Broadway Inspirational Voices, and AEA. BFA Musical Theatre, University of the Arts.

LUCY HORTON (Swing, u/s Francesca) is thrilled to be joining the Bridges family! National Tour:
Cats (Jellylorum). Favorite regional credits: Mary Poppins (Winifred Banks), Cats (Jellylorum, u/s Grizabella), Annie (Grace), Guys and Dolls (Sarah), Boys from Syracuse (Adriana), Into the Woods (Florinda). Thanks to Judy Boals, Inc! Love and thanks to Mum, Dad and Jo. Ruti loves Teb! www.LucyHorton.com

AMY LINDEN (Ensemble, u/s Carolyn, u/s Marian/Chiara/State Fair Singer). Select NYC Theatre and
Regional: Cheer Wars (dir. Hunter Foster), Show Choir! The Musical (NYMF), Rory O'Malley's Pub Crawl (MD Stephen Oremus), 54 Below, Lincoln Center, Ars Nova, NAMT, Weston Playhouse, the Armory Theatre. Thank you to family, Telsey & Co. and Whole Artist Management, with dedication to Leslie Varnick (the world's greatest vocal coach) and Josh (the world's greatest husband). Indiana University Jacobs School of Music graduate, Cleveland OH native. Tweets/'Grams @amyazing84 www.amy?linden.com.

TRISTA MOLDOVAN (Ensemble, u/s Francesca, u/s Marge) starred on Broadway as Christine in The Phantom of the Opera where she had the honor of playing the role in the celebrated 10,000th performance. National Tour: Christine in The Phantom of the Opera (Denver Ovation Nomination, LA and San Francisco engagements), Betty Haynes in Irving Berlin's White Christmas. Regional: Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Arkansas Rep; Abigail in 1776, Pittsburgh Public; Sophia Grey in the World Premiere of Sense and Sensibility, Denver Center; Simeone's Gift with Julie Andrews, Bay Street Theatre. Headliner: Omaha Symphony. TV: "Celebrity Ghost Stories," "Guiding Light," "All My Children." Baldwin?Wallace alum. Proud Actor's Equity member.

JESSICA SHERIDAN (Ensemble, u/s Marge). NYC credits include a staged concert of Showboat with the New York Philharmonic (to be seen on PBS), Sister Act, Follies, Mary Poppins, Les Mise?rables, Radio City's Christmas Spectacular, and Side by Side by Sondheim. National Tours include Sister Act, The Producers, Beauty and the Beast, Footloose, How to Succeed ... and Les Mise?rables. Recent regional shows include Elf, Oliver!, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Guys and Doll, et al. Films: Liza Live, The Producers (2005). She has toured the United States and Europe performing with the incomparable Liza Minnelli. Jessica is an Ovation Award and an LA Weekly Award nominee.

MATT STOKES (Ensemble, u/s Bud, u/s Charlie) is thrilled to be a part of this beautiful production. Credits include the 2012 Broadway revival of Jesus Christ Superstar and the National tours of Evita and South Pacific. See more at StokesCreative.com. A BIG thanks to Mom, Dad, Josh, Jon, Kate, Charlie Mae, Ruby Lou, NENA and my beautiful wife, Keri!

TOM TREADWELL (Ensemble, u/s Bud, u/s Charlie). Broadway: Annie. National Tours: Ragtime, Cats, Company. Regional: 1776 and Annie at Paper Mill Playhouse, Limpicka at Yale Repertory Theatre, Annie at Theatre Under The Stars, Ragtime at Portland Center Stage, Starcrossed: The Trial of Galileo at Goodspeed? at?Chester, Of Thee I Sing at Bard SummerScape Festival, Paint Your Wagon at Sacramento Music Circus, and No Sex Please, We're British at Northern Stage. Film/TV: Beijing, New York; "The Knick"(Thomas Edison); "30 Rock;" "Law and Order: SVU;" "The Bronx Is Burning;" "Guiding Light;" "Onion Sports Dome."

BRYAN WELNICKI (Swing, u/s Michael). Thrilled to be a part of the Bridges family! Nat'l Tour: Peter and the Starcatcher (Boy) The Addams Family (Lucas Beineke). Regional credits include Sweeney Todd (Tobias Ragg), and The Addams Family (Lucas Beineke). Proud Graduate of NYU Steinhardt under Michael Ricciardone. www.bryanwelnicki.com

Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy

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