The World Inside a Frame

The Bridges of Madison County – Theo Ubqiue Cabaret Theatre

Happily, Fred Anzevino has worked his magic once again. In the earlier, much-awaited opening of Theo Ubique’s shiny, new theatre space in Evanston, there were some problems with the balance of sound between the singers and the accompaniment. But all of those kinks were eventually corrected after opening night. With “The Bridges of Madison County,” their second production, Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre is back once again as a Chicagoland treasure. This new production sparkles with talent and artistry, thanks to Mr. Anzevino’s always dazzling, distinguished, collaborative work.

There are many people who feel that their lives are stifling and so confining that it’s almost like being incarcerated. Then, without warning, an unexpected opportunity arrives that offers a few moments of much-welcome freedom and joy. When that moment presents itself the inability to resist temptation is universal. This romantic 2014 musical by respected book writer Marsha Norman and famed Broadway composer Jason Robert Brown was adapted from Robert James Waller’s popular 1992 novel. The book had already been transferred into a much-loved film three years later that starred Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood. On Broadway, Kelli O’Hara and Steven Pasquale won the hearts of theatre audiences as protagonists, Francesca and Robert Kincaid.

This bittersweet love story is about a loving woman named Francesca, a middle-age Italian war bride, who’s been living an unfulfilling life in rural Madison County, Iowa. Although married to Bud, her devoted husband for the past 18 years, Francesca longs for her family and homeland. She often loses herself in fond memories before the War, back in Naples, Italy. When Bud takes their two teenage children, Michael and Carolyn, to Indianapolis, to enter their steer in the 4-H Fair, Francesca chooses to stay at home. She plans to enjoy some relaxing peace and quiet in the empty house.

The same day her husband and kids leave on their road trip, Robert Kincaid drives his blue pickup truck into Francesca’s yard. He’s a world-traveled National Geographic Magazine photographer, assigned to shoot a series of photos of Madison County’s famous covered bridges. Robert asks Francesca the way to a seventh, difficult-to-find destination and she offers to personally show him the way to the Roseman Covered Bridge, once it becomes apparent that verbal directions would be useless. It’s at this location that Francesca first finds herself becoming attracted to the sensitive, artistic adventurer.

Upon returning to the farm, Francesca discovers that Robert has also traveled to and photographed her hometown of Naples. They reminisce about Italy and Francesca tells Robert about her quiet, respectable life as a wife and mother in a small farming community. She insists upon cooking him dinner while they share more about each other’s lives. Robert talks of his ex-wife and Francesca describes the flatness of the land, a metaphor for her life. 

The following morning, while Francesca shops for a new dress, Robert is busy photographing the Roseman Covered Bridge. Suddenly, Francesca surprises the handsome photographer at work; Robert, in turn, surprises her with the magazine that contains his photos of Naples. Through her tears, Francesca confesses to Robert how much she misses her home and Paolo, her first boyfriend, who never returned from the War. Soon their attraction blossoms into love and a simple friendship becomes so much more.

Fred Anzevino’s delicate touch in directing this lushly romantic musical is as beautiful and majestic as any of his finest works at the No Exit Cafe. Set in 1965 Iowa, this production radiates with both time and place. Assisted by Courtney Crouse, he creates an honest, straight-forward narrative, accompanied by a beautiful score, that’s alive with the emotions of real people and warmed by the kind of love and longing for happiness that each of us desperately desires and deserves.

Anzevino’s cast is, once again, superb. As Francesca, lovely Kelli Harrington is glorious. She’s already played some of the most iconic leading roles in musical theatre, but here Kelli gorgeously creates a Francesca for Theo Ubique that’s luminous. Theatergoers, who know Ms. Harrington’s work, realize that she possesses one of the most beautifully trained voices in Chicago. In this role she is nothing less than superb. In addition to her gorgeous, crystal-clear soprano, Ms. Harrington has the kind of expressive face on which, without ever speaking a word, an entire story is conveyed. In this leading role, Kelli Harrington makes a welcome return to Theo Ubique, lighting up the stage as a true star in a role she was destined to play.

Audiences adored him as Starbuck in BoHo Theatre’s “110 in the Shade,” and, with his rich, full baritone vocals, Tommy Thurston breaks the audience’s heart as Robert Kincaid. Although Thurston’s photographer is a rugged man’s man, and seemingly a contented, artistic loner, he sees in Francesca everything that’s been missing from his life. Through Mr. Thurston’s expressive voice, face and posture, audiences will discover a gentle, caring man who finally finds, as he sings, “The World Inside a Frame.”

In supporting roles, Kate Harris brings humor and an especially caring, maternal bent to Marge, the nosy next-door neighbor. Morphing into a musical voice on the radio, Ms. Harris provides a special sultry, bluesy style to her rendition of  “Get Closer.” Remembered for his Theo Ubique performance in “My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra,” Carl Herzog is strong and radiates with machismo as Bud, Francesca’s rancher husband. With his pleasing vocal styling, and just the right balance of gruffness and affection, Herzog is excellent in this supporting role. Although the actor spends most of the musical sharing the stage with his two teenage children, his moments with Francesca show a love and devotion (“Something From a Dream”) that his character doesn’t quite know how to express. 

Making his Theo Ubique debut, but recently seen opposite Thurston as Jimmy, in “110 in the Shade,” Christopher Ratliff nicely plays Michael, Bud and Francesca’s rebellious teenage son. Peyton Shaffer also makes her Theo debut as daughter Carolyn. Determined not to grow up and be married to a farmer, she senses a similar discontent in the life her mother chose. As Charlie, Marge’s entertaining and easy-going homesteader husband, Randolph Johnson is a likable and affectionate counterbalance to his snoopy, smart-mouthed wife.

The entire cast doubles as the ensemble, which also consists of two talented performers: handsome Matt Frye and lovely Lizzie Cutrupi, both playing in several roles. In addition, another ensemble member, the beautiful, multitalented Molly LeCaptain is featured as Marian, Robert’s estranged wife, who accompanies herself on guitar with the stirring ballad, “Another Life.”

Jason Robert Brown’s score is resplendent, infused with soaring operatic passages, mixed with a smattering of folk, country and pop. It’s never sounded more alluring, especially as played by gifted resident musical director and multi-Jeff Award-winner, Jeremy Ramey, on keyboard. He’s joined by four more talented musicians in his onstage orchestra. Colt Frank’s immersive scenic design, all wooden planks, beams and fencing, places the audience in the middle of the story. It’s framed by a breathtaking panoramic mural of the graceful Iowa countryside. The set is peppered with mobile cupboards and cabinets and a bed that appears from beneath the bandstand. Even the floor of the theatre has the appearance of weathered barn wood. Employing a homey, earth-tone palette, Bill Morey’s countrified period costumes feel authentic, comfortable and well-worn, while James Kolditz beautifully lights the playing area with sunshine and moonlight.

This heartbreaking musical, which, sadly, was short-lived in its original 2014 Broadway debut, is now enjoying a magnificent regional production in Evanston. It’s a lovely, beautifully-acted and lushly-sung story that taps into something that each of us has experienced: the road not taken. How would we respond if given the chance to go back and go down the other path, to experience a life that may be more exciting, enriching and romantic? This mellifluous, melancholy musical portrays the moving memories of one woman; and her past, present and future will live in the theatergoer’s heart far beyond the final curtain.                     

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented March 8-April 21 by Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre, 721 Howard St., Evanston.

Tickets are available at the box office, by calling 773-347-1109 or by going to www.Theo-u.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.