Enjoying, and Possibly Crying Over, 'The Bridges of Madison County'

Robert (Steven Pasquale) and Francesca (Kelli O'Hara )make a startling discovery in “The Bridges of Madison County.”

BY TAMARA BECK

EVER wonder how you wound up where you did?

In "The Bridges of Madison County," at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre in an open run, the question may never have had to be asked but for a chance meeting.

Francesca (Kelli O'Hara) came to Iowa as a war bride from Naples. She married an American soldier, Bud (Hunter Foster), who soon exchanged his uniform for farmer's overalls. They settle into family life.

As the story opens, Bud and their two teenage children, Michael (Derek Klena) and Carolyn (Caitlin Kinnunen) are off the Indiana State Fair to show off Carolyn's prize steer.

Meanwhile, Robert Kincaid (Steven Pasquale) is on assignment for “National Geographic” to photograph the picturesque covered bridges of Madison County, Iowa. His work takes him to Francesca's driveway looking for directions to a bridge he has missed.

Francesca leads him to it. Afterward, she invites him to stay for supper. Unlike her friends, neighbors – and even her husband who all call her Franny – Robert calls her Francesca. He has recently shot a photo spread in Naples and he brings her a copy of the magazine. Robert reminds Francesca of home and she is homesick.

They talk, they laugh, they fall in love. (See video below).

The story, adapted by Marsha Norman from Robert James Waller's chick-lit novel, is pretty much 50 shades of rich color from blushing pink to deep purple. Jason Robert Brown has given it a lovely score and straight-ahead lyrics that support MN's book. In its musical adaptation, "The Bridges of Madison County" is as believable as, say, "Madame Butterfly" or "La Boheme."

If anyone can sell this "Bridges..." it is the players, KO'H, SP and HF. In an excellent cast and ensemble, directed by Bartlett Sher, there are also strong performances by Cass Morgan as Francesca's understanding neighbor, Marge, and Michael X. Martin as Marge's husband, Charlie.

JRB ventures off into country and torch songs, giving Whitney Bashor as Robert's ex-wife, Katie Klaus, as a state fair singer and the aforementioned CM show-stopping arias.

Michael Yeargan's scenery – with Iowa's flat country painted in the backdrop – is lovely and simple. The ensemble pulls and pushes furniture and fences into each scene change while window and roof frames fall gently from the eaves.

This iteration of "The Bridges of Madison County" is not as insufferably sentimental as its source material nor as schmaltzy as the film starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep. That's not to say, however, that "The Bridges of Madison County" the musical won't cause some to shed tears.

It is as much a pleasure to watch and hear as any musical theater work currently on the Great White Way.

Visit http://www.bridgesofmadisoncountymusical.com/ to learn more about "The Bridges of Madison County."

Down Memory Lane w/'Million Dollar Quartet'

“Million Dollar Quartet,” plus one, above. From left: Levi Kreis as Jerry Lee Lewis on the microphone; Robert Britton Lyons standing behind bass as Carl Perkins; Corey Kaiser as Carl’s brother, Jay, on bass; Eddie Clendening (kneeling) as Elvis Presley, and Lance Guest as Johnny Cash. Photos by Joan Marcus

BY TAMARA BECK

‘MILLION Dollar Quarter,” at the Nederlander Theatre for an open run, isn’t going platinum anytime soon, nor is it the gold standard for musicals. It is, though, a rollicking vignette based on an actual rock ‘n’ roll event.

Carl Perkins (Jared Mason understudying for Robert Britton Lyons), Johnny Cash (Lance Guest) and Jerry Lee Lewis (Levi Kreis) gather in December 1956 at Sun Records studios in Memphis for a recording session with producer Sam Phillips (Hunter Foster). Elvis Presley (Eddie Clendening), a freshly-minted Hollywood star, and a lady friend, Dyanne (Elizabeth Stanley), show up and an evening of toasts and music ensues. (See a videos at http://www.milliondollarquartetlive.com/broadway-videos.html)

The backup musicians, Carl’s brother, Jay Perkins on bass (Corey Kaiser) and Fluke, the drummer (Larry Lelli) complete the tableau, performing with verve and imagination. “Million Dollar Quartet” is a treasure trove of rock ‘n’ roll memories.

ES’s Dyanne does a terrifically heated “Fever” and “I Hear You Knocking.” But this jam session belongs to the boys. LK deserved the Tony he won for his superb portrayal of a young and already randy Jerry Lee. His “Great Balls of Fire” and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” are wild and worthy of the genuine article. EC has Elvis’ lip twitch and hip swivel down pat and offers a nice range of his songs from “Memories are Made of This” to “Hound Dog.” LG delivers “Folsam Prison Blues” and “I Walk the Line” to make him a definitive Johnny Cash.

Producer Sam Phillips (Hunter Foster), left, is watching the magic performed by Jerry Lee (Levi Kreis), Carl (Robert Britton Lyons), Elvis (Eddie Clendening) and Johnny (Lance Guest).

As drama, Broadway’s “Million Dollar Quartet” lacks real tension. A version of the musical is currently playing at Chicago’s Apollo Theatre thru 29 May.

It appears Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee might come to blows. Their sparring is entertaining but it’s more bluster than real spectacle. The uncertainty at the core of “Million Dollar Quartet” is in whether HF’s Sam Phillips will sell out to RCA in New York and whether LG’s Johnny Cash will extend his contract at Sun Records.

On the other hand, as a re-enactment of a legendary moment in ‘50s rock, “Million Dollar Quartet” is an excellent way to pass an hour and fifty-five minutes in a theater.

Visit http://www.milliondollarquartetlive.com/index.html to learn more about “Million Dollar Quartet.”