[Free Lance-Star] A swoonworthy ‘Bridges of Madison County’ takes hold of Riverside
GAIL CHOOCHAN The Free Lance-Star
Oct 12, 2023
As the fall weather turns cooler, the desire for all things cozy and heartwarming becomes stronger. And Riverside’s beautiful production of “The Bridges of Madison County” exceedingly fits the bill.
The musical, based on the novel by Robert James Waller, might be more familiar to audiences through its 1995 big-screen adaptation starring Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood. Featuring a book by Marsha Norman, Waller’s story unlocks another emotional level with music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown. This Tony Award-winning show had a short-lived run on Broadway in 2014 and is now feeling the love again on local stages.
This sweeping story follows a WWII Italian warbride who left her home and family to begin a new life with her soldier husband in America — specifically, Winterset, Iowa. For 18 years, Francesca has built a home with Bud, raising two children, Michael and Carolyn, and her life has become routine, filled with farm work, county fairs and football games. In her words, “It stays the same.”
When the family leaves for the Indiana State Fair to show Carolyn’s steer Stevie, Francesca stays behind, with three days all to herself. Her plans take a turn when a handsome stranger looking for directions breezes into town. Robert Kincaid, a National Geographic photographer, is on assignment taking pictures of the area’s famous covered bridges and has one left on his list.
Francesca offers to show Robert the location of Roseman Bridge, and that simple, kind gesture is just the beginning of something neither of them had expected. Sitting close to Robert in his dusty old truck, Francesca is fascinated by this easy-going man and his travel stories and their talks continue well into the evening over a home-cooked dinner.
Lovingly directed by Patrick A’Hearn, “Bridges” is a slow-burning story that allows audiences to come to know its characters as they watch this relationship develop. While Francesca and Robert come from different worlds, these two solitary souls find a connection — so intense that nothing else matters.
Their love story gorgeously unfolds in Frank Foster’s scenic design, filled with vibrant visuals and swirling staircases. Although an intimate story, “Bridges” plays big in Riverside’s cavernous dinner theater space. Michael Jarett’s massive projections elevate the show, helping to establish both time and place. Rolling hills, tree-lined rural roads and starry night skies mix in with black-and-white videos of Francesca and Bud’s early beginnings to her fleeting time spent with Robert at Roseman Bridge.
Real-life couple Adrianne Hick and Andrew Foote, as the lonely housewife and the nomadic photographer, bring spark to this whirlwind romance. After strong performances in Riverside’s “Bright Star” and “Ragtime,” Hick is the perfect choice to play the emotionally torn Francesca — and her exquisite vocals shine on multiple occasions throughout the production.
Making his Riverside debut, Foote is impressive as the photographer who feels lost and like he’s living outside of the frame. He’s convincing as the free spirit who now finds someone who grounds him and wants to share his world with. Foote’s commanding vocals also make songs, such as “Wondering” and “It All Fades Away,” two of the show’s biggest highlights.
However, the real showstopper is Hick and Foote’s passionate delivery of “Before and After You/A Million Miles,” with all its volcanic emotions and notes.
Another standout performer is Sarah Mae Andersen as Robert’s first wife, Marian, in a brief appearance. While Francesca and Robert prepare dinner in the kitchen in the background, Marian dreamily sings the folksy number “Another Life,” which gives more insight to their relationship and how it ended.
Bringing some humor into the love story is Marge and Charlie, the Johnsons’ older next-door neighbors. Marge, played by Andrea Kahane, is more concerned with the happenings at the Johnson farm, while Ian Lane’s Charlie calmly entertains his wife’s wild thoughts regarding the “bald hippie.”
“Bridges” is filled with big emotions and big songs to match, all wonderfully performed by music director Carson Eubank and the orchestra. Brown — whose works include “The Last Five Years” and “Parade” — has created these grand, nuanced musical numbers that give performers space to showcase their vocal range. However, there are a few tunes from secondary characters that feel random and unnecessary, drawing away from the main narrative.
With its unabashedly romantic story and Brown’s swoonworthy orchestrations, it’s no wonder this musical is getting lots of love lately. (Signature Theatre in Arlington recently wrapped up its production of “Bridges”). If you missed out on that production or want to experience this again, Riverside’s dynamic staging of “Bridges” is worth the trip.
If You Go
"The Bridges of Madison County," Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, 95 Riverside Pkwy., Fredericksburg. Wednesdays–Sundays through Nov. 12. $75 for adult dinner and show (discounts available for seniors 65+, children 3-12 and show only). 540/370-4300; riversidedt.com
