Let's cross that "Bridges..."

Marsha Norman has fashioned an appealing drama  with music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown from Robert James Waller's over-the-top romance for the musical version of "The Bridges of Madison County." In this open run at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, Kelli O'Hara plays the Iowa housewife, Francesca, with Steven Pasquale as the itinerant photographer, Robert Kincaid.

Kelli O'Hara as Francesca and Steven Pasquale as Robert Kincaid in "The Bridges of Madison County,"
at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre in an open run.  Book by Marsha Norman, adapted from Robert James Waller, music
and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown. Photo by Joan Marcus.

Robert Kincaid has lost his way, looking for the last of the covered bridges he was sent by National Geographic to photograph. Francesca Johnson takes him to it, and asks him to stay for dinner.

Caitlin Kinnunen as Carolyn and Hunter Foster as Bud in
"The Bridges of Madison County." Photo by Joan Marcus.

Her family, Bud (Hunter Foster) and the children, Michael (Derek Klena) and Carolyn (Caitlin Kinnunen) have gone to the Indiana State Fair so that Carolyn can compete with her prize steer, Stevie. As Francesca tells Robert, they will have a better time without her looking at prize pigs and large zucchini squash.

Hunter Foster as Bud and Kelli O'Hara as Francesca in
"The Bridges of Madison County." Photo by
Joan Marcus.

She married an American soldier in Naples right after the war when they were very young, came to Iowa, made a home for herself but isn't completely comfortable as a farmer's wife.

Kelli O'Hara and Steven Pasquale in a scene
 from "The Bridges.." Photo by Joan Marcus.

There are many seriously powerful voices singing Jason Robert Brown's lovely songs. In addition to the excellent leads, there is Cass Morgan as Marge whose torchy "Get Closer" is very close to a show-stopper. Katie Klaus as the State Fair Singer and Whitney Bashor in a flashback to Robert's ex-wife lend voltage in their roles. Michael X. Martin is very natural as Marge's down-to-earth husband, Charlie.

It's only fitting that such an operatic love story should get the full operatic treatment Brown gives it. "The Bridges of Madison County" is melodramatic and overwrought, but its cast remain cool-headed and dry eyed, even if we cannot.

Suggestion of a setting drops from rafters-- the outline of a roof, window frame, doorway-- and the ensemble doubles as stage hands, pulling up fences, moving in the kitchen table-- in Michael Yeargan's imaginative design for "The Bridges of Madison County."

Fade to violins, cue tears. [For more commentary see VP.]

For more information about and a chance to preview the music of "The Bridges of Madison County," please visit  http://bridgesofmadisoncountymusical.com/.