Book by Marsha Norman; Music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown
Directed by Michael C. Mensching and Michael McDermott
Musical Direction by Ellen Rizzo
Thursday, February 15 at 7pm and
Saturday, February 17 at 10am
At The Ghent Playhouse
6 Town Hall Road
Ghent, New York
SYNOPSIS:
Based on the best-selling novel by Robert James Waller, “The Bridges of Madison County” recalls the unexpected affair of Francesca Johnson, a devoted Italian-born housewife, and Robert Kincaid, a roving National Geographic photographer. Set amid the cornfields of Iowa in 1965, this sweeping romantic musical about the roads we travel and the bridges we dare to cross, brings to life four sensual heart-stirring days that will alter the lives of Francesca and Robert forever. With a soaring score by Tony Award winner, Jason Robert Brown, “The Bridges of Madison County” will leave you breathless.
ALL ROLES ARE OPEN – Actors of all race, ethnicity, identity and body type are encouraged to audition.
CHARACTERS: Please note, ages listed below are for the character, not the actor
FRANCESCA JOHNSON: (Soprano, character age – 30’s-40’s) – An Italian war bride, married to a farmer and living in Iowa, she has had eighteen years of quiet, largely unfulfilling farm life. She is described as generous, luminous and funny.
RICHARD “BUD” JOHNSON: (Baritone, character age 40’s-50’s) – Francesca’s husband and an Iowa farmer. A good guy; diligent and dependable, but always exhausted and irritated that things haven’t gotten easier.
ROBERT KINCAID: (Baritone, character age 30’s-40’s) – A ruggedly handsome, worldly, visionary photographer for National Geographic Magazine, who has travelled from Washington State to photograph the famous covered bridges of Madison County.
MARIAN: (Mezzo-soprano, character age 30’s) Robert’s former wife; a musician and previous owner of Robert’s guitar.
CHIARA: (Non-singing role, character age 30’s-40’s) – Francesca’s sister, still living in Italy (Note: One actress will play both Marian and Chiara)
MICHAEL JOHNSON: (Tenor, character age 16 to 20’s) – Francesca and Bud’s son, who later graduates from medical school.
CAROLYN JOHNSON: (Soprano, character ages 14 to 20’s) – Francesca and Bud’s daughter. Filled with both fire and longing for a full life ahead.
MARGE and CHARLIE: (Alto and Bass, character ages 30’s-60’s) – Francesca and Bud’s next-door neighbors. While Marge is both sassy and nosy, she and her husband are a couple of hard-working, salt-of-the-earth souls, firmly entrenched in the farm life of Winterset, Iowa.
GINNY, STATE FAIR SINGER: (Soprano, no specific character age) – May be added into a small singing ensemble who will portray neighbors, townspeople and State Fair patrons.
ENSEMBLE – Townspeople, Waitress, State Fair Patrons, and Fiddle Players.
WHAT TO PREPARE FOR THE AUDITION:
Those auditioning are asked to prepare 16-32 bars of a song from “The Bridges of Madison County” or a Broadway song in the same flavor as the score for “Bridges…”
An accompanist will be provided. Please no a cappella or taped music for auditions. Each participant will also read from the script.
WHAT TO BRING TO THE AUDITION:
Please bring along a current resume and a complete list of conflicts for the period of February 22 through April 28. Regarding conflicts, please remember vacations and holiday schedules before auditioning, as these may be a factor in the casting process. Head shots are welcomed, but not required.
REHEARSALS:
Rehearsals will typically be held in the evening, with some weekend rehearsals added as we get closer to opening. Further rehearsal details will be determined after auditions.
PERFORMANCES: April 11-28, 2024
Performances for this production run for three weeks, beginning with a Preview performance on Thursday evening, April 11, 2024 at 7:30 p.m., then continuing Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoons at 2:00 p.m., through April 28, 2024.
Please note that everyone cast in this production MUST be available for every performance.
For further information about auditions or the production, please visit the Ghent Playhouse website or contact directors Michael Mensching or Michael McDermott, by email, at senor65@aol.com or irishmike518@yahoo.com