Review Roundup: First International Production of THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY

Manila, Philippines-- Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group (ATEG) brings the first international production of the book-to-stage adaptation of Robert James Waller's THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY to Manila. The production premiered on November 20, and will run until December 6, at Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium (4/F RCBC Plaza, Ayala Ave. cor. Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City).

Directed by Bobby Garcia ("Saturday Night Fever," "The Addams Family"), THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, stars Joanna Ampil ("Miss Saigon," "Les Miserables") and MiG Ayesa ("Rock of Ages," "We Will Rock You") in the lead roles of Francesca Johnson, an Italian war bride who lives in Iowa, and Robert Kincaid, National Geographic magazine photographer, respectively.

Based on Waller's 1992 novel of the same name, the musical is written for the stage by Marsha Norman ("The Color Purple," "The Secret Garden"), featuring music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown ("The Last Five Years," "Parade"). Brown won the 2014 Tony Award for Best Original Score and Best Orchestrations for his work on the original Broadway production of the show, which played Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre from February 20 to May 18 last year.

"THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY tells the story of Iowa housewife Francesca Johnson (Ampil) and her life-changing, four-day whirlwind romance with traveling photographer Robert Kincaid (Ayesa). 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," its official synopsis says.

The production in Manila features choreography by Cecile Martinez ("Ghost, the Musical"), musical direction by Ceejay Javier ("Saturday Night Fever"), set design by Faust Peneyra ("Piaf"), lighting design by JonJon Villareal ("Rak of Aegis"), hair and makeup design by Johann dela Fuente ("Saturday Night Fever"), costume design by Eric Pineda ("Saturday Night Fever"), and vocal direction by ManMan Angsico (Disney's "Aladdin").

Let's hear what the critics have to say about the show:

Mirava M. Yuson, Philippine Star: There are little extracts of humor here and there, but for the most part, the play is presented as a straight romantic drama. At first, I was wary - it's not my favorite genre in the world, and as far as tales of affairs go, they're a dime a dozen especially in this day and age. So what sets Bridges apart from the Nicholas Sparks formula of good-looking people falling in love in unexpected places? Well, firstly, the play is powered by guilt and remorse, and all semblances of whimsical romantic tones screech to a halt the moment characters actually contemplate the consequences of their actions. What stands as the main theme of the production is a somber riff, a violin solo that serves as a bookend for most scenes.

The musical never stops reminding you that a whirlwind affair is, first and foremost, an actual whirlwind, meaning it is a catastrophe for everyone involved. Characters are hyper-realistic in their biggest dreams and deepest flaws. There's no card-carrying villain ex who goes into a murderous rampage during the third act. Each member of the family is fleshed out, and their mistakes are scrutinized to an almost depressing degree. Rather than a "me against the world" vibe for the main couple, it's a battle of them against the audience. They attempt to prove that their love matters in the grand scheme of things, that it is a necessary disruption of the often demoralizing status quo that is home life. Brutally honest even in its display of family dynamics, some interactions are portrayed as ridiculous, and gut-bustingly funny, and at the same time, may hit too close to home.

Vladimir Bunoan, ABS-CBNNews.com: Filipino audiences finally get to discover just how terrific and talented Joanna Ampil truly is as the bored Iowa housewife in the stage musical adaptation of the 1992 romance best-seller "The Bridges of Madison County"...

Although Ampil has appeared in several musical productions in Manila since her critically acclaimed performances in London's West End ("Miss Saigon," "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Les Miserables," "Cats"), local theater fans haven't seen her in a role as demanding as that of Francesca Johnson, an Italian war bride transplanted to an American farm after she marries a GI, who meets a traveling National Geographic photographer Robert Kincaid in the 1960s...

From the moment she strolled to center stage in the opening solo "To Build a Home," we immediately get to fully appreciate Ampil's gifts - her classic musical theater voice that's powerful, thrilling and seemingly effortless, her confident command of the stage and natural yet emotional delivery.

Vincen Gregory Yu, Philippine Daily Inquirer: Elegant musicality aside, it's also how the world of this "Bridges" is conjured that makes it such a beauty, via Faust Peneyra's set, Jonjon Villareal's lights and Garcia's splendid direction.

What Peneyra has achieved here is not just spectacle, but a sweeping grasp of past and present. By converting the proscenium of the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium into a magnificent gilded frame, by depicting the stark Iowa landscape through rectangular snapshots hanging on all three walls of the stage, "Bridges" becomes a memory that refuses to stay buried beneath earth and dust.

It is a photograph that has weathered time, granted distinct tones by Villareal's transformative lighting: blood red for overwhelming love; deep blue for the hurtful past; and so on.

It is this moving picture that Garcia directs with clockwork fluidity. Everything falls neatly into place at the perfect time--the movements precise and meaningful, from the way the actors are blocked to how some of Peneyra's frames are flipped to become props or present-day articles, all the way to the tiniest shade of light and angle of limbs.

Photo: Jaime Unson

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