THOSE BEAUTIFUL BRIDGES

REVIEW: BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY

BY RYAN M. LUÉVANO

The 2014 Tony award winning musical Bridges of Madison County, book by Marsha Norman and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, has landed in L.A. with the Mr. Brown conducting the performances. Until now most are only familiar with the Broadway cast recording, but upon seeing this production at the Ahmanson Theatre all the pieces fully come together forming an enchanting theater piece. Simply put, this show is a masterpiece of musical theater story telling, with a score that is sumptuous yet accessible as cherry pie, mixing folk, country, pop and opera. The original production opened on Broadway on February 20, 2014 and closed after 137 performances. This of course is no indicator of the true value of this show or its rightful place in the canon of American musical theatre.

Elizabeth Stanley, left, and Andrew Samonsky. Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy.

The musical is based on the Robert James Waller 1992 novel of the same name which tells the story of Iowa housewife Francesca Johnson who’s life changes when National Geographic photographer Robert Kincaid comes to her doorstep asking for directions to one of the famous covered bridges—the two embark on a four-day romance, all while her husband and family are away. It’s an unforgettable story of two people who fall in love at the wrong time and must make a decision to make up for lost time or let their time run out.

L-R: Dave Thomas Brown, Tom Treadwell, Cole Burden, Cullen R. Titmas, Elizabeth Stanley, David Hess, Mary Callanan, Caitlin Houlahan and Matt Stokes. Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy

Set in Winterset, Iowa the production’s lighting and minimal set design take audiences from sunrise, to sunset, dawn, twilight, moonlight, and starlight on the vast prairies of Middle America. The original scenic design by Michael Yeargan and additional adaptations by Mikiki Suzuki MacAdams create stunning tableaus resembling a John Steuart Curry painting coming to life on stage. Additionally, the detailed lighting design by Donald Holder seamlessly enhanced the optical display generating sky colors that are a vivid kaleidoscope moods and space.

Andrew Samonsky, left, and Elizabeth Stanley. Photo Credit Matthew Murphy.

Elizabeth Stanley (Francesca) is a delight from beginning to end—her performance is touching and heartfelt: a housewife that audience’s can’t help but sympathize with no matter what decisions she makes. Stanley tackles Brown’s challenging score with ease passing through recitative, arietta and heightened operatic moments with tremendous vocal fluidity—even in the moments when her Italian accent blurs the words, you just don’t care. Stanley ardently pursues the dimension and arc the writers provided while bringing her own inner background to this complex woman.

Stanley’s lover Andrew Samonsky (Robert) is an absolute hunk and the moment he enters the stage you already know what’s going to happen. How could Francesca ignore such an Adonis? However, Samonsky proves to be more than just a heartthrob as his vocals are full, sweet and husky, his renditions of “Wandering” and “World Inside a Frame” and “It All Fades Away” are sensational. One of the most surprising numbers in the show is the act II song, “When I’m Gone” soulfully led by neighbor Charlie (David Hess), and Francesca’s husband Bud (Cullen R. Titmas).

In the musical, the cast remains mostly onstage providing a Greek chorus of sorts symbolizing the transparency and community in a small town—everyone knows each other’s business and they’re always there for support. These choir moments come at the most heightened dramatic moments providing rich musical textures to further the story.

WHAT ABOUT THE MUSIC DIRECTOR?

Unfortunately, composer Jason Robert Brown was away on his holiday vacation, not conducting this performance, however, the music director in his place is seasoned national tour conductor Keith Levenson. Levenson’s direction is superb as he conducted the cast and 9-piece orchestra without a baton, using his nimble fingers to bring out the intricacies in Brown’s orchestrations and those lush choir moments. Levenson’s conducting is full of high energy and precision—you can see and hear his appreciation and knowledge of Brown’s moving score in every move.

Elizabeth Stanley and Andrew Samonsky. Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy.

Given the original book and then the film starring Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood, this musical is often seen as a steamy romance that women swoon over. Given the story, there is inherently residue of that notion; however, the writers here choose to tell a deeper story—a story about real people, showing how a simple interaction has the power to transform. Bridges is not a razzmatazz musical filled with big townspeople numbers or pop ballads—it’s a musical in the spirit of great storytelling continuing the American tradition of Rodgers and Hammerstein. The show is certainly far from perfection, running at 2 hours, 45 minutes, some areas could be tightened, yet the story’s poignant music, lyrics and book brings golden age musical techniques to the present giving audiences a grand romantic tale of love in a world that could use a little more.

The Bridges of Madison County runs at the Ahmanson Theatre until Jan. 17, 2016; 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays. For tickets or more information call (213) 628-2772 or visit www.centertheatregroup.org.