TAR
Menu

triangle arts review

Theatre Raleigh's"The Bridges of Madison County" is a Timeless, Well-Told Story

8/8/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Janine Divita stars as Francesca. Photo by Jennifer Robertson.
Based on the novel of the same name, Marsha Norman’s The Bridges of Madison County, onstage now through Theatre Raleigh and under the direction of Lauren Kennedy Brady, is a bittersweet love story that strikes a chord with any viewer who has ever been in love at the wrong time.

Rebecca Leigh Johnson’s rustic set brings the story, set in 1965, beautifully to life. Part of the set has been constructed high above the stage, allowing the viewers to see straight into even the most private areas of the main character’s home and, by extension, her life. Complete with functional stairs, a creaky porch swing, and all the little touches and details that make up a home, Johnson’s set is as inviting and believable as the timeless story itself.

Speaking of the story, it centers upon dutifully-married Francesa (Janine Divita). An Italian immigrant who has raised her family and built a home for herself in the United States, Francesca has more brewing under the surface than meets the eye. She has a longing for the past, for her former home, and for the person she once was and dreamed she would be, emotions beautifully and subtly expressed through Norman’s gentle script and Divita’s powerful, multi-layered portrayal.

It’s not just Divita’s acting that is powerful either. Equipped with a rich, operatic voice, she easily nails the show’s opening song “To Build a Home,” which serves to introduce Francesca’s world, including her husband Bud (Scott Wakefield), her son Michael (Jack Russell Richardson), and her daughter Carolyn (Callie Colvard). Together, the four create a believable, playful family dynamic, with Wakefield making his character especially lovable, if a bit clueless.

However, as the story roars into motion, the family goes away, heading out of town to a fair for a few days and leaving Francesca on her own. It is then that, by chance, she meets the man who will change her life indelibly. Strong, artistic Robert (Patrick Oliver Jones) is in town taking photographs, and he and Francesa form a quick and powerful bond. The two actors share strong chemistry that makes the story’s relationship feel all the more real and engrossing. From their initial nervous interactions to their eventual intensity, careful staging and strong acting make their story all-consuming, powerful, and incredibly real. And, while their story is the heart of the show, there are other stories told here as well. Supriya Jaya offers a magical portrayal of Marian, Robert’s ex, and her delivery of “Another Life” is one of the highlights of the show, while Heather Setzler is both hilarious and endearing as nosy neighbor Marge. There are also ten live musicians who provide the perfect musical accompaniment for every scene, making this story feel fully realized and every bit as enveloping as good theatre should be.

Ultimately, The Bridges of Madison County is a beautiful story of lovers, but it’s also a story about the search for understanding, the emptiness that so many people feel, and the sometimes-strangling constraints of responsibility. Theatre Raleigh’s production brings out all of these themes, allowing this beautiful work to shine in a wonderful, complete way that pays honor to the beauty and truth this tale contains.

0 Comments

    TAR

    We love the arts. We write about them. Founded 2018.

    Categories

    All
    5 Questions
    Book Reviews
    Burning Coal
    Carolina Ballet
    Cary Players
    Concert Reviews
    Dance
    Dance Reviews
    DPAC
    Durham Performing Arts Center
    Forest Moon Theater
    "From The Pit" By Michael Macsuga
    Harnett Regional Theatre
    High School Theatre
    July 2021
    Koka Booth Amphitheatre
    Music
    NCT
    NC Theatre
    Neuse Little Theatre
    North Carolina Theatre
    North Raleigh Arts & Creative Theatre
    NRACT
    PlayMakers Repertory Company
    Press Releases
    Raleigh Dance Theatre
    Raleigh Little Theatre
    Raleigh Memorial Auditorium
    ShaLeigh Dance Works
    Stone Stoup Theatre Company
    Theater Reviews
    Theatre In The Park
    Theatre Raleigh
    Theatre Reviews
    The Center Theater
    The Towne Players Of Garner

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    August 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact