Review: BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY at the Kennedy Center - A Glorious Musical

I was so disappointed I was unable to witness the original Broadway cast of the musical THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY which starred Kelli O'Hara and Steven Pasquale (and Hunter Foster). I even attempted to purchase a ticket on a Saturday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. for that evening's performance but was told ONLY tickets for the day's matinee could be sold one half hour before showtime. And then I heard the show was closing.

I did purchase the CD and love listening to the great music by Jason Robert Brown who won two Tony Awards for the music and orchestrations. Brown also provided the brilliant orchestrations. I was astonished that a show that wins a Tony for Best Music did not get a nomination for Best Musical. The nominations in 2014 were AFTER MIDNIGHT, ALADDIN, BEAUTIFUL, and GENTLEMAN'S GUID TO LOVE AND MURDER. Only one these shows had original music (GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE) which won the Tony for Best Musical. I will never understand this.

I must admit though I knew all the music, I was not familiar with the story based on the best-selling novel by Robert James Waller and then a film starring Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood.

The show opens with the lovely strains of a solo cello played by Suzanne Orban. Later, Orban was pointed out by Brown from the podium after her great work in the song "Almost Real". Standing front and center is Francesca (the amazing Elizabeth Stanley) who relates her story growing up in Naples, Italy, marries a GI named Bud at age 21 (the wonderful Cullen R. Titmas) who takes her to his home in Iowa. By 1965, her husband is 45, her son Michael (Bryan Welnicki) is 16, daughter Carolyn (Caitlin Houlahan who I saw in PARADE IN CONCERT at Lincoln Center) is 14 and Francesca is 38. The opening number "To Build a Home" is a lovely number expressing her life to this point.

Her family is now ensconced in farm life. While her husband and children head to the Iowa State Fair, (Carolyn is competing), Francesca is left alone for four days where she plans to sip tea on the porch swing.

The plans change abruptly when a National Geographic photographer named Robert Kincaid (the handsome and talented Andrew Samonsky), comes to the home asking directions to a bridge he is to photograph. He sings the powerful "Temporary Lost".

Everyone knows what is next but even so, the music and the talent on stage is just plain spectacular.

Every show needs a comic aspect and book writer MarSha Norman provides that with Francesca's next door neighbors, Marge (Mary Callanan who had the honor of playing "Rosie" in the closing company of the Broadway production of MAMMA MIA!)) and her husband Charlie (David Hess). Marge uses binoculars to spy on her neighbor and surmises what is happening when she sees a suspicious truck in the driveway. But what a friend she turns out to be later. She also gets to shine in a jazzy number "Get Closer".

There are so many wonderful numbers. Wait till you hear "When I'm Gone" by Charlie and Bud.

But it's the ballads that you will be singing on your way home. "What Do You Call a Man Like That", "Wondering", and "It All Fades Away". I cannot stop humming.

Directed on Broadway by Bartlett Sher and recreated by Tyne Rafaeli with precision, the show allows past and present incidents to flow even while the leads are singing. One example is the bossa nova style song sung by Robert's ex-wife Marion (the talented Katie Klaus) with "Another Life".

Brown presents a potpourri of musical styles. There is operatic, jazz, blues, and country and the cast and orchestra which are being conducted by the composer until July 3 are just superb. There's a spotlight on Brown while he sways and urges the musicians to bring vitality to his score which he doesn't need to use. He's a joy to watch. How many composers actually conduct their own music??

The eight member ensemble (Cole Burden, Caitlyn Caughell, Brad Greer, Amy Linden, Trista Moldovan, Jessica Sheridan, Matt Stokes, and Tom Treadwell) add so much with their gorgeous voices. When not moving scenery, they sit as observers on both sides of the stage, not unlike OUR TOWN.

Francesca is faced with choosing between her love of Robert versus her husband and family. I was reminded of Ibsen's A DOLL HOUSE where Nora leaves her husband and family for independence. I won't spoil what she decides.

THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY should not be missed. It reminded me a little of a similar musical which takes place in Italy, LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, which coincidentally both O'Hara and Pasquale played in a workshop version (O'Hara ultimately performed in the Broadway production). This is not a big splashy musical with trumpets, horns, and woodwinds. You will hear a great string section, keyboards, percussion, and two great guitars (Dan Erben and Justin Rothberg). The concertmaster, Michelle Maruyama, even gets to shine at the top of Act II with her violin leading a hoedown ("State Road 21).

The terrific Sound is by Jon Westin, Lighting by Donald Holder, Set Design by Michael Yeargan, while Catherine Zuber (I remember her at Center Stage) did the great costumes.

Once again, try to get to see this memorable show by Sunday, July 3 to see Jason Robert Brown conduct. Brown stays after the show in the pit to chat with his fans who seek both photos and autographs. He attracts a very young following and it's such a pleasure to see so many young people at the theater. There are also discounted orchestra seats available July 4th week-end. It continues until July 17, 2016 at the Eisenhower Theater in the Kennedy Center. For tickets, call 202-467-4600 or visit www.kennedy-center.org. You can also see comments at #BridgesOnTour or #KennedyCenter.

Why not make it a double-header. Playing in the Opera House is KINKY BOOTS, the Tony-winning musical until July 10 which will be followed by PHANTOM OF THE OPERA running from July 13 to August 20.

cgshubow@broadwayworld.com

Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy

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