Kristin Wetherington in “The Bridges of Madison County" at the Timber Lake Playhouse -- September 12 through 21.
Friday, September 12, through Sunday, September 21
Timber Lake Playhouse, 8215 Black Oak Road, Mt. Carroll IL
Adapted from the literary phenomenon and Clint Eastwood's Oscar-nominated movie, the musical version of The Bridges of Madison County makes its Mt. Carroll debut at the Timber Lake Playhouse September 12 through 21, this Tony Award winner's Broadway production praised by the Associated Press for its “superb, thrilling score,” and by Time Out NY for being “a new work that plays like a classic.”
The musical tells the tale of Francesca Johnson, a beautiful Italian woman who married an American soldier to flee war-ravaged Italy, and who, with her family heading to the 1965 State Fair, now looks forward to a rare four days alone on her Iowa farm. But when ruggedly handsome National Geographic photographer Robert Kincaid pulls into her driveway seeking directions, what happens in those four days may very well alter the course of Francesca's life. Based on the bestselling novel by Robert James Waller – a book that spent 164 consecutive weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List – and developed by the Pulitzer- and Tony Award-winning creative team of Jason Robert Brown (The Last Five Years and Parade) and book writer Marsha Norman ('night, Mother and The Secret Garden), The Bridges of Madison County captures the lyrical expanse of America's heartland along with the yearning entangled in the eternal question “What if … ?”
The production's music draws on various styles, but is largely influenced by American folk music, and there are several unaccompanied vocal parts with definitive folk undertones. The orchestra is mid-sized, with the musical being scored for piano, two guitars (one doubling on mandolin), acoustic/electric bass, three violins, one viola, one cello, and a sizeable array of percussion, including drum kit. Composer and lyricist Brown stated that he had been looking for a project that was "serious and intense and overflowing with unrestrained passion," and referred to the production as his La Traviata. The Bridges of Madison County was nominated for three 2014 Drama League Awards: Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical and the Distinguished Performance Award for leads Kelli O'Hara and Steven Pasquale. The show went on to receive four 2014 Tony Award nominations for its Broadway production directed by iconic stage helmer Barlett Sher, leading Brown to win two trophies, for Best Original Score and Best Orchestrations.
Timber Lake's director and scenic designer Christian Fleming leads an acclaimed creative team, and is joined by : music director Ashley Grace Ryan (and a live, nine-piece orchestra); costume designer Matthew Eggers; lighting designer José Santiago; sound designer Cameron Griffiths; projections designer Brian Pacelli; props fesigner Jeff Creath; technical director Luke Francis; production manager Julia Gangemi; and stage manager (and Actors Equity Association member) Lexi Holder.
The Bridges of Madison County cast, meanwhile, is led by Actors Equity Association members Leland Burnett as Robert Kincaid and Kristin Wetherington as Francesca Johnson, with Daniel Pippert as Richard “Bud” Johnson, Darcie A. Hingula as Marian and Chiara, Matthew Hommel as Michael, Tori Tiernan as Carolyn, John Chase as Charlie, and Quad Cities favorite Nancy Teerlinck as Marge.
The Bridges of Madison Country runs at the Mt. Carroll theatre from September 12 through 21, with scheduled 2 and 7:30 p.m. performances Wednesdays through Sundays. Admission is $34-54, and more information and tickets are available by calling (815)244-2035 and visiting TimberLakePlayhouse.org.
