The Bridges of Madison County" Opens MTC MainStage's 31st Anniversary Season

Connecticut professional premiere of the award-winning Broadway musical presented in Connecticut’s most intimate theatre setting

Music Theatre of Connecticut MainStage, Fairfield County’s professional award-winning theatre company, begins its 31st Season with The Bridges of Madison County based on the best-selling novel by Robert James Waller, and developed by the Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning creative team of Jason Robert Brown and Marsha Norman. Telling the story of a forbidden love affair between a photographer and a housewife that changes them forever, “The Bridges of Madison County” captures the lyrical expanse of America's heartland along with the yearning entangled in the eternal question, "What if...?".

Francesca Johnson, a beautiful Italian woman who married an American soldier to flee war-ravaged Italy, looks forward to a rare four days alone on her Iowa farm when her family heads to the 1965 State Fair. When ruggedly handsome, National Geographic photographer, Robert Kincaid, pulls into her driveway seeking directions, though, what happens in those four days may very well alter the course of Francesca's life.

The Bridges of Madison County features Juliet Lambert Pratt as Francesca. Juliet has appeared on Broadway in Les Miserables, Passion, and Meet Me in St. Louis. Juliet won a CT Critics Circle award for her role as Diana in MTC’s production of Next to Normal. Sean Hayden will make his MTC debut as Robert. Sean has appeared in the National tours of Lincoln Center’s The Light In The Piazza and Mamma Mia!. Greg Roderick will also be making his MTC debut as Bud. Greg has worked with Bridges composer Jason Robert Brown in the 2000 Broadway National Tour of Parade directed by Hal Prince. Greg has appeared on Broadway in South Pacific and the world premier of Bright Star. Matt Grosso will be appearing as Michael. Matt has appeared at the International Festival of Arts and Ideas in New Haven, CT and as Leonard in Under the Lid at Theatre Row, NYC. Frank Mastrone will appear as Charlie. Frank has appeared on Broadway in The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Cats, Big: The Musical, Jekyll and Hyde and Saturday Night Fever. Megan O’Callaghan will be appearing as Carolyn. A recent graduate of WCSU, Megan made her professional debut in The Music Man at the Sharon Playhouse this past summer. Kirsti Carnahan will be appearing as Marge. Kirsti is returning to MTC this season, having played Rose in Gypsy last season. Kirsti has appeared on Broadway and in the National tours of Les Miserables, Cats, and Annie. Mia Scarpa will be appearing as Marian and others. Mia has performed with Seven Angels Theatre and Center Stage Theatre, and has a one-woman show, Just Judy, featuring the music of Judy Garland.

The Bridges of Madison County book is written by Pulitzer Prize-winning and Tony Award-winning playwright Marsha Norman. Her plays include The Secret Garden and The Color Purple. Music and lyrics are written by three-time Tony Award-winning composer, Jason Robert Brown. Brown wrote the music and lyrics for The Last Five Years, and Parade for which he won the Tony for Best Original Score. He won the Tony for Best Original Score and Best Orchestration for The Bridges of Madison County in 2014.

Kevin Connors, MTC’s co-founder and Executive Artistic Director, directs The Bridges of Madison County. Musical direction from Nolan Bonvouloir. The creative team includes set design by Jordan Janota, lighting by Michael Blagys and costumes by Diane Vanderkroef. Jim Schilling stage manages the production.

The MTC MainStage 2017/2018 Season will continue with A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play (December 1-17), Love Letters (January 26-February 11), The 39 Steps (March 2-18), and Fun Home (April 20-May 6)

The MTC MainStage 2017/2018 Season is generously sponsored in part by The State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development and The Hour/Hearst Connecticut Media Group.

“THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY” TICKET/PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

• Ticket prices range from $35-$55, and are available now online at musictheatreofct.com or by phone at (203) 454-3883.
• Performances are November 3 - November 19, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 4pm and 8pm and Sunday at 2pm.
• MTC MainStage is located at 509 Westport Avenue (behind the Nine West Outlet) in Norwalk, CT.