Interview: 6 Questions & a Plug with BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY's Elizabeth Stanley

It's always exciting to see a show that's premiering for the first time in Minneapolis -- while the repeats can be fun, there's something thrilling about seeing something new. In the case of the upcoming THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, it also comes with a celebrated score by Jason Robert Brown, so I'm interested to hear and see more.

The musical adaptation of popular film and 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. (See video preview below.)

Opening June 21 at Minneapolis' Orpheum Theatre, Francesca is played by Elizabeth Stanley. This edition of 6 Questions & a Plug gives us a little insight into her thoughts on the show and her background in theatre.

While many people will be familiar with the movie version of BRIDGES, the musical may be less known, so can you tell our readers about the show and specifically your character, Francesca?

The musical is a unique variation of the book of BRIDGES. Obviously, the biggest difference is that the musical has singing! As far as the storyline, the musical really focuses on Francesca's experience. The audience learns more of her background and what brought her to where she is now. Marsha Norman (book writer of the musical) also introduces the community and the family in to the story in a way that wasn't done in the book or the movie.

This national tour began last winter -- how did you become involved with it and what was your audition song?

I auditioned for the musical just over a year ago and found out I was cast a year ago this week! My audition songs were from the score: "Almost Real" and "What Do You Call a Man Like That?"

The score by Jason Robert Brown won a Tony and is much celebrated; what is your favorite song (whether you sing it or not), and can you tell readers what it was like working with this composer? (Full disclosure: I'm a huge fan of his PARADE and THE LAST FIVE YEARS.)

I'm a HUGE Jason fan as well. Getting to work with him has been one of the highlights of this tour for sure. When he conducts it's like having another scene partner--he feels the music so deeply--it's really special. In rehearsals he was a great help, very generous and also very open to us bringing ourselves to the music rather than wanting us to imitate the original cast.

Your role was originated on film by Meryl Streep and on stage by Kelli O'Hara, which is obviously good company to be in! Can you tell a little about your process to make the role your own and if you tried to use or not use what you saw these actors do? What are the characteristics of Francesca you most identified with?

Good company, indeed! I really admire the talents of both of those women. I am sure, having seen them both interpret the role, there are elements that influenced me, but generally speaking I really try to be authentic to myself rather than attempt to copy someone else. I didn't have to conciously TRY to be different, I think just the very nature of me being a different woman, made my performance in the role unqiue to me. I can certainly identify with where Francesca is living in Iowa because I was born in Iowa and spent most of my childhoold in rural Illinois just outside a town of 1,000 people. Francesca and I are also both artists.

Your past Broadway and touring characters are all lighter or more comic and this role seems to be romantic and heavier with emotion. How has it been taking on this role and doing it eight times a week? And, as you near the end of the tour, what will you miss most about Francesca?

It has been really fun to flex a different muscle. I think most every character has room for both humor and drama but it's been nice to play a more "realistic" tone after the over-the-top comedy of ON THE TOWN. Of course, now after a year of crying I'm longing to act like a fool again!

Tell us about your training and background -- what path did you take to get to this point in your career? Did you always want to act and sing?

I attended Indiana University Jacob's School of Music as a voice major with the plan to become an opera singer. I'd studied piano and voice from an early age and had also done musicals at the community theatre growing up, but it wasn't until I got to IU that I really found my interests in acting. I've continued to take classes and study in NY--seems there is always something to learn!

(And for the plug...) When the tour closes this summer, what's next for you on stage or off?

I'm going to Greece in September! :)

Elizabeth Stanley bio:

Elizabeth Stanley was last seen 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 (PS Classics cast album) and The Nurse in Hello, Again (Transport Theatre Group, Drama League Award - Best Ensemble). TV: "The Affair," "Black Box," "Made in Jersey," "Fringe," "The Chappelle Show," and "PBS Great Performances - Company." Favorite regional roles: Regionally she has performed with Sundance Theatre Festival, Sacramento Music Circus, Pittsburgh CLO, Barrington Stage Co., Philadelphia Theatre Co., Rep. of St. Louis, O'Neill, La Jolla Playhouse, Pioneer Theatre Co., Cincinnati Playhouse. Ms. Stanley has been a soloist with numerous orchestras and also is celebrated for her cabaret acts. Graduate of Indiana University.

More information:

Performance dates are Tuesday, June 21 through Sunday, June 26 at the Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis. Performance times are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m.

Ticket prices start at $39.00 and are available at HennepinTheatreTrust.org.

The critically acclaimed musical THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY 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 and I, The Light in the Piazza), recreated by TYNE RAFAELI. For more information, visit www.BridgesMusical.com

Photo: Elizabeth Stanley (Francesca) in the national tour of THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

Video preview:

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