The official Bridges of Madison County tour thread

[ljay889]

Elizabeth Stanley and Andrew Samonsky co-star as Francesca Johnson and Robert Kincaid in the national tour of the Tony Award-winning musical The Bridges of Madison County, which launches Nov. 28 in Des Moines, IA.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/tony-winning-bridges-of-madison-county-launches-u.s.-tour-tonight-373174

 

I cannot wait to hear more about this tour! I won't be able to see it until DC. I hope it's as special as the Broadway production. Post your thoughts here if you get a chance to see the tour. 

[Hamilton22]

Surprised they took this on tour with how bad the ticket sales for the Broadway production were. Poor cast is going to be performing for a half empty crowd most nights. 

[ljay889]

Must you ruin everything? 

[BroadwayConcierge]

ljay889 said: "Must you ruin everything?"

 

LOL.

 

I personally think this could end up seeing a pretty successful touring run. I look forward to seeing what changes.

[Hamilton22]

"I personally think this could end up seeing a pretty successful"

 

Based on? 

[dramamama611]

Give himem a few minutes, he'll change his mind.

[ljay889]

An official studio recording of Stanley and Samonsky singing "One Second and a Million Miles."

http://www.theatermania.com/video/exclusive-video-andrew-samonsky-and-elizabeth-stan_888.html

[ljay889]

They both sound quite good, but their vocals lack the overwhelming power and intensity of the originals.  It's great to hear a new take on the song. 

[gleek4114]

I'm so excited about this! I hope to catch it in either Dayton or Nashville!

[GavestonPS]

Hamilton22 said: "Surprised they took this on tour with how bad the ticket sales for the Broadway production were. Poor cast is going to be performing for a half empty crowd most nights. 

 

"

In Los Angeles, at least, the show is playing a subscription house, the Ahmanson, as a subscription selection. Whether it will sell out will depend on reviews, but the theater won't be half-empty. I wouldn't be surprised if that were true elsewhere as well.

 

For much of the country, Broadway economics (except for Roundabout, maybe) can't really be compared to regional economics. 

 

It also occurs to me that a story about a housewife trapped in the middle of nowhere may speak to theatergoers in Des Moines more than it did to theatergoers in Manhattan. This is just a thought. I haven't seen the show yet.

[Mr Roxy]

Based on what my wife & I saw on Broadway, you will not be disappointed.

[trpguyy]

They do both sound great. I prefer her with less a less operatic sound, like when she lets loose on the last chorus. I'm sure this will be a great production, hopefully it sells well.

[iabwayfan]

Looking forward to seeing it in Des Moines very soon!  Iowa was the residency of the book's author and it's storyline takes place very close to Des Moines, so I would imagine it will sell well here.

I did not see it on Broadway and am anxious to be seeing it.

[ebontoyan]

I will be watching Bridges in Des Moines, IA this week too!  Also the Civic Center is a subscriber house, I think this will play well here. And as a bonus the show composer Jason Robert Brown will be conducting! I wonder if he will do that in other tour stops as well.

[ljay889]

There's very positive early word on Twitter tonight. I am curious to hear what has been changed since Broadway. 

[Mr. Nowack]

So true about the subscription base. I for one am very excited it's touring so I can experience it.

 

I know the fame of the book/movie clearly didn't work as a selling point in New York, but does anyone think that aspect might be more significant abroad?? Was the book/movie even that famous or well remembered?

[ljay889]

The film grossed 71.5 million in the US, with a production budget of 24 million. Seems like quite a hit for 1995. The book sold 50 million copies worldwide and I'm pretty sure was considered like the 50 Shades of Grey of the time. They were both successful pieces, but the musical just couldn't click in New York. I think it will do better on tour, and it will clearly have a large regional life in the future. 

[Mr. Nowack]

I hat thought they were pretty big hits. I wasn't quite around even when the film came out so I wasn't sure though.

[RippedMan]

It's a gorgeous show on paper/album. But I wonder if Sher developed the stage show any or if it's a just recreation of the Broadway show considering he was probably busy readying Fiddler? 

[Call_me_jorge]

Isn't actually not sher directing, but an asociate of his? I imagine that she would just do a recreation.

[ljay889]

Sher is overseeing the tour director. He was present at the rehearsal footage that is out there. I can't imagine he's super involved but he definitely is overseeing the direction. 

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

^Could that explain why the visible stagehand problems haven't been solved with Fiddler yet?

[haterobics]

Jeffrey Karasarides said: "^Could that explain why the visible stagehand problems haven't been solved with Fiddler yet?"

 

Yes, his lack of participation in this show could affect the other he is involved in...

[GavestonPS]

Mr Roxy said: "Based on what my wife & I saw on Broadway, you will not be disappointed.

 

"

Thanks, Mr. R. I'm quite in love with the OBC recording, I must admit.

[iabwayfan]

Well, I saw the show, and I have to say the talent on stage is quite amazing.  The leads do a wonderful job! My favorite character has to be Marge.  I liked her personality and thought she was well portrayed.

 

I honestly didn't know much about the show - Gasp! - I know, an Iowan not familiar with Bridges of Madison County!  I knew the general theme of the story, but not much else.  That being said, I would give this show a "C".  Very well performed, but just not the kind of storyline that I get into.  I just couldn't feel bad for Francesca.  I didn't see that her inner struggle was strong enough for me to understand why she did what she did.  Others around me who had seen the movie and read the book thought both of those did a good job showing her struggle.  I'm not trying to rip on the show.  Like I said, the cast is amazingly talented.  Go check it out for yourself if you have the opportunity.

 

Of course, there were a few Iowa jokes along the way, but that's good.  We love humor.

 

[iabwayfan]

Here's a clip of some audience reactions to the show...

 

https://www.facebook.com/DesMoinesPerformingArts/videos/10153634313489017/