“Rodgers & Hammerstein's State Fair" at the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre -- June 30 through July 17.
Thursday, June 30, through Sunday, July 17
Clinton Area Showboat Theatre, 311 Riverview Drive, Clinton IA
A Tony-nominated stage sensation by the legendary composing team behind The Sound of Music, Oklahoma!, South Pacific, and other iconic titles, Rodgers & Hammerstein's State Fair enjoys a Clinton Area Showboat Theatre run from June 30 through July 17, this beloved musical delivering such treasured show-tune staples as "It's a Grand Night for Singing," "It Might as Well Be Spring," and the state-specific "All I Owe Ioway."
Originally based on Phil Strong’s 1932 novel of the same name, State Fair was the only musical that Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II wrote directly for the screen, with the feature film released in 1945. A half-century later, this romantic story set in America’s heartland was adapted for the stage, and featured both songs from the movie and additional numbers from the composers' extensive songbook. Rodgers & Hammerstein's State Fair follows the Frake family’s journey from their farm to the three-day 1946 Iowa State Fair. Ma Melissa and Pop Abel are intent on winning prizes for their accomplishments in hog raising and mincemeat cooking, while their children Margy and Wayne have romantic adventures ahead of them. As Margy and Wayne find love and heartbreak on the midway, they discover what they find most important and carry home lessons on love and life that will sustain them long after the State Fair, resulting in a glorious family entertainment that has played sold-out runs all across the country.
The Clinton Showboat's producing artistic director James Beaudry, who staged last summer’s musical comedy All Shook Up and this year's season-opening presentation of Sister Act, directs and choreographs Rodgers & Hammerstein's State Fair, and says of the musical, "State Fair is a wholesome and joyous celebration of Iowa families and one of the state’s great traditions. It’s an upbeat show for the whole family that’s filled with laughs, romance, fantastic Rodgers & Hammerstein songs, and some of the best dance arrangements of the 20th century.”
Beaudry's cast includes Courtney Crouse as Abel Frake, Lisa Crosby Wipperling as Melissa Frake, Kiara Durbian as Margy Frake, and Dan Rice as Wayne Frake. Additional cast members include Jaheim Hugan as Pat Gilbert and Megan Grace Ludwig as Emily Arden, as well as Grant Alexander Brown, Tiffany Beckford, Jordan Drake, Benjamin Michael Hall, Anthony James, Sydney Jaye, Katelyn Murphy, Noah Wohlsen, and Brian Selcik, the latter of whom also serves as the show's associate choreographer.
Local performers from the region, meanwhile, include Myah Ackeberg, Lillian Asay, Norah Balk, Carter Jargo, Gabrielle Sampson, Jaycee Siefkin, Amira Tharp, and Autumn Tharp. Gabriella Saxon is the production stage manager for State Fair, and the design team includes Mollie Abkes, Montana Carlson, James Kyle Davis, Dylan Dutro, and Brian Seckfort.
The Clinton Area Showboat Theatre's Rogers & Hammerstein's State Fair runs June 30 through July 17 (with no show on Friday, July 1), with performances Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays and Wednesday at 3 p.m. Admission is $18-25, and more information and tickets are available by calling (563)242-6760 and visiting ClintonShowboat.org.
