The Bridges of Madison County — The Musical – David Stringer, Publisher

With the current production of The Bridges Of Madison County—The Musical, Prescott’s Hazeltine Theater continues a tradition of presenting contemporary, cutting edge theater to the local community. The musical follows the story line of Robert James Waller’s 1992 blockbuster novel which has over 50 million copies in international sales. In 1995 it became an award winning movie staring Meryl Strepp and Clint Eastwood, who also directed.

Photo: Joshua Worden as Bud and Taylor Cienega as Francesca

The story follows Francesca, a romantic young Italian girl and her practical marriage to an American GI in the aftermath of WII to escape the devastation of war torn Italy. Putting aside her dreams, Francesca settled down to a dutiful marriage, children and a life of ordinariness on a Iowa farm. But one magical day while her husband and teenage children were away from home at the State Fair, an unexpected visitor appeared at the farmhouse seeking directions. Robert  Kincaid, a photographer for National Geographic, was visiting Madison County to photograph the county’s famous covered bridges. He was lost on the rural back roads and needed directions. Francesca ends up showing him the way. When it grows late, she invites  him to stay for dinner.

Photo: Joel Mills as Robert Kincaid

A romantic spark between them grows into a torrid four day affair, after which Robert asks her to leave her life on the farm and make a new life with him. Francesca  is overwhelmed with temptation. She makes plans to leave but her sense of responsibility to her husband and children prevent her from following through. In the end,  she watches Robert drive off without her as she resigns herself to the compromises she has made in life.

Photo: Joshua Worden as Bud

This simple, ‘soap opera’ of rural American life has unaccountably captured the imagination of millions of people all over the world. In 2014 it was made into a Broadway musical with music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown. The show was not a commercial success and  closed after a short run. But the music and lyrics garnered four Tony award nominations,  winning for Best Original Score and Best Orchestration. It also won a Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award for outstanding music. It has enjoyed revivals in major theaters around the country and has become a staple of community theater.

Photo: Joel Mills and Taylor Cienega

The Hazeltine’s current production, directed by Silas Hall, is a tightly woven, dramatically intense night of musical theater. Mr. Hall, professionally trained in dance and theater arts, has brought together an excellent cast of singers and actors who have clearly worked hard to master a difficult score. All of the leads have professionally trained voices. The music and lyrics are inspired by the American folk tradition with many songs having an operatic quality. Of particular note is Taylor Cienega, who played Francesca with great tenderness  and whose rich mezzo-soprano was more than equal to the challenging score. Joshua Worden, a handsome and vocally talented newcomer to local theater played the part of Francesca’s husband, Richard “Bud” Johnson, with quiet dignity and  restraint. Joel Mills, as Robert Kincaid, was a little tentative in the first half of the opening night performance reviewed here. But he came into his own with a powerful, well controlled voice in the second half and demonstrated his deep mastery of the role. The talented Silas Hall not only directed the show but designed the lighting and early 1960’s period set. It was clearly his show and his vision on stage at the Hazeltine.

Performances of The Bridges Of Madison County—The Musical continue thru November 15^th.  Tickets are available HERE