WaterTower Theatre presents The Bridges of Madison County in Concert
The Bridges of Madison County
Directed by Shane Peterman
Music Directed and piano by Vonda K. Bowling
Orchestra Members Sara Bollinger, Elijah Evans, Eric Jones, Dennis Langevin, Kami Lujan, Jesse Ramirez, Brian Seo
Set and Prop Design Kennedy “Kae” Styron
Lighting Design by Keith Gillespie
Sound Design and Engineer Jorge Guerra
No Choreographer or Costume Designer credited
My Thoughts on The Bridges of Madison County in Concert or…is this heaven? No, this is Iowa.
WaterTower Theatre presents
The Bridges of Madison County in Concert
Music and Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown
Book by Marsha Norman
Directed by Shane Peterman
Music Directed by Vonda K. Bowling
I knew nothing about The Bridges of Madison County when I attended the preview performance except for hearing some songs on the radio occasionally. So, I was unprepared for the rapturous beauty of this musical tale of Francesca Johnson, an unfulfilled Iowa housewife, and Robert Kincaid, the traveling photographer who brings brief happiness to her life.
I fell under the spell of Madison County from the moment Laura Lites appeared on stage singing the story of her life from Italy to Iowa in “To Build a Home.” Lites brings a wistful quality to Francesca that is irresistible. She wins our hearts, sympathy and respect immediately. And that voice.
Christopher J. Deaton is Robert Kincaid, who finds his way to Francesca’s farm while looking for a bridge to photograph. Deaton gives Robert a quiet, appealing masculinity and one can easily see why Francesca is drawn to this worldly, yet humble, man. And that voice.
Aaron C. White is Francesca’s husband Richard “Bud” Johnson, who is conveniently away at the Indiana State Fair with their two teenage children, Carolyn and Michael, wonderfully played by Analyse Melendez and Bryson Pope. Bud is a hardworking, down to earth Iowan who loves his wife and family. White makes Bud a sympathetic character. He’s a good man who wants the best for his Italian wife as he proves in the song “something From a Dream.” And that voice.
Caroline Rivera as the snoopy, but caring and compassionate, neighbor Marge is a comic wonder here. Rivera, with a perfect Iowa farm wife accent, is reminiscent of a young Carol Burnett, using both her body and voice to get laughs, and her solo “Get Closer” is a highlight of the evening as she pines for attention from her husband Charlie, played with down home charm by Stan Graner.
Amber Marie Flores is Robert’s ex-wife Marian. Strumming a guitar and looking like a country music star, Flores sings “Another Life,” a beautiful solo about why she loved and left Robert.
It was great to see one of the most talented actors in DFW, Rachel Nicole Poole, who recently starred in Kinky Boots, in the brief role of the State Fair singer and a couple other cameo appearances in the play. I wanted to see much more of her. The WaterTower is lucky indeed to have an actor of her ability in a small role.
In fact, I have seen many of the actors who are listed as “Pit Singers” and understudies and appear on stage in many different roles and sing incredibly, as stars or featured players in other productions. They include Claire Greenberg, Jason Hallman, Tara Park, Hunter Hurt, Anthony J. Ortega, Megan A. Liles, Nijel Smith, Jessica Webba, Rebekah Prim, and Dominic Pecikonis. They make the song “State Road 21” a real treat and it is heavenly to hear their voices blend.
The sound of the orchestra, led by Vonda K. Bowling, is nothing less than exquisite playing Jason Robert Brown’s lush and melodic score. Indeed, exquisite is the word to describe this entire production from Kennedy “Kae” Styron’s two-level set to Keith Gillespie’s lighting to Jorge Guerra’s sound to Director Shane Peterman’s eye for movement. All the elements come together here to make The Bridges of Madison County in Concert a feast for the theater lover.
I must issue a two-tissue advisory here as The Bridges of Madison County in Concert is an emotional experience. I was a puddle on the floor at the end and I hear that the WaterTower has to mop after every performance.
Photo by Jamie Brogdon Photography
