The romantic story of star-crossed lovers in the fields of Iowa in the mid-1960s is brought to life at Footlite Musicals’ production of The Bridges of Madison County: The Musical, running through March 18.
Based on the bestseller by Robert James Waller, with a book by Marsha Norman and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, “Bridges” is the story of an Italian war bride who feels stifled and out of place on the vast plains of Iowa. With two bickering children and a husband preoccupied with keeping the farm going, Francesca quietly yearns for something a little more — which comes to her in the guise of a lost National Geographic photographer, Robert. He’s in Iowa to take pictures of the covered bridges, and Francesca, alone in the house for a few days when the rest of the family is at the state fair, helps him out. They discover they are both lonely, in different ways, and one thing leads to another . . . which leads to brief, intense affair which ends with Francesca making the choice to stay with her husband and family. As the decades pass, they never forget each other — and what might have been if another decision had been made.
Footlite has a deep bench of fine vocalists, particularly Lori Ecker as Francesca and Rick Barber as Robert. Both bring an operatic sensibility to a score that mixes traditional ballad, some country-western, folk, and Perry Como-esque crooning. Elly Burne as daughter Carolyn is also a practiced singer and actress who lights up the stage. Nosy neighbor Marge, portrayed by Jeanne Chandler, brings some humor and understanding to a story that could have easily become sappy and mawkish.
Juggling the emotional elements of romance and cold, hard realities and directing them effectively is no easy task, and Tim Spradlin does a great job telling this story and getting the best out of a big cast. The set design for the small stage by Jerry Beasley is clever and effective — there are many quick cuts from indoor/outdoor and different location.
Performances are Thurs.-Sun. at various times. Visit www.FOOTLITE.org to reserve tickets, or call 317-926-6630. The theatre is located at 1847 N. Alabama St.
