A wondrous evening of sonorous music awaits you at The Bridges of Madison County. The story was also a 1995 film (Clint Eastwood directed and starred opposite Meryl Streep, who won an Oscar) then was translated into this Broadway musical in 2012 - all based on Robert Waller’s blockbuster 1992 romantic novel – 60 million copies sold worldwide.
For this show, directed by Fred Anzevino, Theo Ubique’s cozy new cabaret playhouse on Howard Street gives us an unimaginably intimate performance. It is like a jewel box setting for a chamber opera, and features the immensely talented Kelli Harrington - a Broadway bel canto if ever there were one.
The tale is really a reverie on romantic love, and paths not taken, as the married but lonely Italian-American, Francesca (Harrington) questions her life as an Iowa farm wife with two teenaged children. Her considerate, dutiful but uninspiring husband Bud brought her home as a war bride from a devastated Naples to his Madison County farm – a place as foreign to her roots and soul as the other side of the moon.
While Bud (Carl Herzog) is away at the Iowa State Fair with their teenagers Michael (Christopher Ratliff) and Carolyn (Peyton Shaffer), a National Geographic photographer, Robert Kincaid (Tommy Thurston) rings Francesca’s doorbell seeking directions. It turns out he has recently photographed Naples and happens to bring the issue featuring his photographs of her lost home. This helps triggers a torrid, four-day affair.
The drama unfolds at a leisurely pace. It is a low-key tale of self-reflection, befitting the emotional struggles of the Robert and Francesa as they weigh running away together. Just this side of becoming saccarine, The Bridges of Madison County's underlying story appealed to men and women, as does this show. It analyzes the values of duty and commitment, and where lies the duty of the chivalrous Robert Kincaid and the ultimately faithful Francesa. The lovely, harmonic music by Jason Robert Brown is more tone poems than Broadway numbers - perfectly suited to the remarkable Kelli Harrington, who teaches voice and has a string of Jeff Award honors.
In a class all by herself, Harrington sings and evokes in parallel, like a fine diva – an arched eyebrow, a furtive look, shaking her locks – it’s really quite stunning to witness. The elegant chamber music ensemble led by Jeremy Ramey emphasizes cello, violin, and keyboard. Francesca’s role dominates the musical minutes, with Robert as her partner in emotional upheaval countering with a comparably challenging song book. Tommy Thurston acquits himself admirably, in a complex role.
Among the standouts were Shaffer and Ratcliff as completely convincing teens who sing wonderfully; and Molly LeCaptain as Robert’s ex Marian (she also plays Francesca’s sister Chiara) – backing herself beautifully on guitar in a solo. Plaudits to Kate Harris, whose performance I loved as neighbor Marge, always supportive, not too intrusive, who lives a parallel life of love and loss. Harris has a wonderful stage delivery, and played so realistically a woman aging over the years.
This is my second show at Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre, and because I like the space so much I am tempted to see everything this season. Theo Ubique allows you to order dinner in advance, and the performers serve before curtain and during. Or you can do as I did and sit in a bar stool and run a tab (no serving during the show itself, of course.) I have two related suggestions: for ticket buyers, because the theater has no lobby, you can’t be seated after curtain. (I learned that when I was a few minutes late for a performance. So be early.) The other suggestion I have is for a minor adjustment to the sound system, which is really pretty good. It could just be my ears, but certain upper vocal ranges seemed constrained.
Recommended See The Bridges of Madison County through April 21, 2019 at Theo Ubique, 721 Howard Street, Evanston.
*Extended through May 5th
First on the stage was Tabla artist Salar Nader, considered Afghanistan’s premier virtuoso on the table. His unceasing accompaniment was…
When we think of summertime in Chicago, we probably wouldn’t associate it an existential play set in a small Russian…
I was thoroughly captivated by the remarkable dancers and musicians brought together by Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater’s Artistic Director,…
“Die Hard 4 Your Luv” by Kirk Pynchon and Mike Beyer at The Factory Theater is a great send-up of…
For more than 50 years, Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd Webber’s powerful masterpiece, Jesus Christ Superstar, has wowed audiences with…
This Pride Month, the electrifying musical "SIX" playing at the James Nederlander Theatre isn’t just a celebration of female empowerment…
Something special has been afoot at Chopin Theatre for the past few weeks: the world premiere of “Turret,” written and…
"Stokely: The Unfinished Revolution" a world premiere written by Nambi E. Kelley and directed by Tasia A. Jones, ambitiously attempts…
Artemisia announces it’s 13th season will open with a immersive soundscape production of GOODS by Lauren Ferebee, directed by Erin…
Chicago Opera Theater premiered a one-act opera, “Before It All Goes Dark,” in two performances over Memorial Day weekend at…
I love stories about World War II, particularly about survivors of the Holocaust and the Camps. And I love stories…
Celebrating its 50th anniversary season, The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center, Lyric Opera of Chicago's premier artist-development program, is proud to…
Steppenwolf Theatre is pleased to present Rachel Bloom's sell-out off Broadway hit Death, Let Me Do My Show, playing a limited engagement August 14 -…
“Viva La Mort: A Play With Songs” mines the 1956 Swiss novel “The Visit” by Friedrich Durrenmatt that came to…
Marriott Theatre brings the heat this summer with a rockin' tribute to the music of the 1960s, with BEEHIVE: THE 60'S MUSICAL. Directed…
Language may be the backbone of human communication, but there’s a lot that happens between the lines. Sanaz Toosi’s 2023…
Lifeline Theatre’s production of "Native Son," directed by Ilesa Duncan and adapted by Nambi E. Kelley from Richard Wright’s seminal…
It's showtime! Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce that BEETLEJUICE, the edgy and irreverent Broadway smash hit musical comedy, is now playing…
An artist. A terrorist. A child. A brand new car. A porn star. These are all the things that Anne…
There are no words. Well, obviously that’s not true cos I’m about to say a whole bunch of words –…
Drury Lane Theatre continues its 2024/25 Season with The Audience. Masterfully blending the personal and the political, The Audience gives an extraordinary glimpse into…
International sensation The Choir of Man today announces a second season following the completion of its initial run on May 26, 2024.…
The Joffrey Ballet announces the programming for the Joffrey for All free performance, which will feature a mixed repertory program in Millennium Park…
“James was deeply aware of the anguish associated with denying others their authenticity; His famous Frankenstein wasn’t a murderous monster.…
It’s often quoted in reviews that we are unworthy of such beauty or splendor the arts and humanities afford us.…
TimeLine Theatre has entranced me for years with its historically- and politically-significant plays, riveting and educational – just my cup…
Midsommer Flight, a company that has brought free performances of Shakespeare's plays to Chicago Park District parks since 2012, will…
Steppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation's premier ensemble theater company, is pleased to conclude its 48th season with the world premiere of Little…
Chicago continues to produce some of the most exciting work in the country this Summer, offering a wide variety of plays…
Token Theatre, Chicago's Asian American theatre company, announces the company's first full production, ZAC EFRON, written by Artistic Director David Rhee, co-written by Managing…
Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.