The Bridges of Madison County at Music & Arts Community Center
Dates: 2/25/2026 - 3/7/2026
Southwest Florida Theatre Company
13411 Shire Lane
Fort Myers, FL 33912
Phone: (239) 277-1700
Tickets: From $76 (Student Tickets Available for $15)
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Based on the best-selling novel, and developed by Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown (The Last Five Years, Parade, Songs for a New World) and Pulitzer Prize winner Marsha Norman, The Bridges of Madison County captures the lyrical expanse of America’s heartland along with the yearning entangled in the eternal question, “What if…?” Winner of the 2014 Tony Award for Best Score and Orchestrations, this sweeping romance is about the roads we travel, the doors we open and the bridges we dare to cross. This beautiful drama will leave audiences breathless.
The story is about Francesca Johnson, a beautiful Italian woman, who married an American soldier so she could flee war-ravaged Italy. She looks forward to a rare four days alone on their Iowa farm, while her family heads to the 1965 State Fair. Her life is up-ended when a ruggedly handsome, National Geographic photographer, Robert Kincaid, pulls into her driveway seeking directions. What happens in those four days may very well alter the course of Francesca’s life.
With a soaring score and a heartbreaking story, The Bridges of Madison County is a touching and powerful musical drama.
Cast and Creative Team for The Bridges of Madison County at Music & Arts Community Center
Cast
Michel Vasquez
Francesca Johnson
Michel is thrilled to be returning to the sunshine and the symphony for this thrilling production after appearing as “Maria” in Gulf Coast Symphony’s West Side Story last year. Previously, she traveled the world as Rosalia/Maria u/s/ “Somewhere” soloist on the International Tour of West Side Story. Regional credits include Guenevere u/s in Camelot (Barrington Stage Company); Priscilla Presley in Heartbreak Hotel (John W. Engeman Theater); Sillabub in Cats,Teresita/Maria u/s in West Side Story, Mamma Mia! (Flat Rock Playhouse); Cinderella in Into the Woods, Aquata in The Little Mermaid (Timber Lake Playhouse); Favorite Son world premiere (Nashville Opera). TV guest star appearances on The Late Late Show Dublin, Nashville Holiday Music Special, and Christmas at Belmont. Proud graduate of Belmont University, BFA in MT. Represented by UIA Talent Agency. All Glory to God! @michelvasquez_ www.michelvasquez.com
Branch Fields
Robert Kincaid
Branch Fields, described by Opera America as “a bass of resonant richness,” is a versatile performer engaged throughout North America and beyond in opera, musical theater, and concert. He has sung with Santa Fe Opera, New York City Opera, Ogunquit Playhouse, St. Pete Opera, Sarasota Opera, Utah Festival Opera, and many others throughout the U.S. and Canada. Branch’s Broadway debut was in South Pacific, as ensemble and standby for Emile de Becque in the 2008 Lincoln Center Theater production. Recent performances include Sir Lancelot for Opera Montana, Robert in Bridges of Madison County for The Ghostlight Theater in Michigan, Leporello in Don Giovanni for Indianapolis Opera and Greensboro Opera, and roles in several productions for Opera in Williamsburg. He has been Capt. Von Trapp for Charlottesville Opera, Montana TheaterWorks, and The Southwest Michigan Symphony. Branch lives in Williamsburg, Virginia close to his family. His recent album “Be Thou My Vision” can be heard on all major streaming platforms.
Bret Poulter
Bud Johnson
Since moving to Naples in 2016, Bret has been actively involved in the Southwest Florida theatre community as both performer and arts educator. He has worked with The Naples Players and TheatreZone and is thrilled to be performing with such talented individuals here at the MACC. Some of his favorite roles include Bert in Mary Poppins, Billy in Chicago, Bazzard in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Reverend Shaw Moore in Footloose, and, most recently, Mr Laurence in Little Women.
Paulette Oliva
Marge
This is Paulette Oliva’s Southwest Florida Theatre Company debut! Her off Broadway credits include Barbicide and Fire – the Play; regional credits include Sister Act (Mother Superior, Slow Burn Theatre, Ft. Lauderdale); The Bridges of Madison
County (Marge, Shenandoah Summer Music Theater; Brightstar, (Mama Murphy, Actors’ Playhouse, Coral Gables, FL; Carbonell Finalist!); Morning After Grace (u/s Abigail, Florida Rep); Once (Baruska, TheatreZone, Naples, FL); Little Women (Marmee, Players Circle, Ft. Myers); and with The Naples Players, Gypsy (Mama Rose); Sweeney Todd (Mrs. Lovett); Beauty and the Beast (Mrs. Potts); Master Class (Maria Callas); When We Were Young and Unafraid (Agnes); and Calendar Girls, (Annie). Instagram: @PauletteOliva
Peter McClung
Charlie
This is Peter McClung’s Southwest Florida Theatre Company debut! Recently seen on stage at TheatreZone in Naples as Max Goldman in Grumpy Old Men, Peter’s off Broadway credits include Baby. His regional theatre credits include Fulton Theatre, John Engeman Theatre, and Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre, performing in The Bridges of Madison County, Sweeney Todd, 42nd Street, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Music Man, Man of La Mancha, South Pacific, Little Shop of Horrors, Gypsy, and Jekyll and Hyde, among others. Peter has toured with the (in)famous political satire group – “Capitol Steps.” Grateful to Julie Carver and Maestro Kurtz for the opportunity to perform with this esteemed organization.
Lorelai Vega
Carolyn Johnson
Lorelai Vega is honored to be part of The Bridges of Madison County. Previous credits include Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street, Luisa in The Fantasticks, and Francine in Jersey Boys. She recently moved to New York after growing up in the Southwest Florida theatre community. Many thanks to the cast, crew, and creative team for their work on this production, and to her family and friends for their constant support.
Alexander LaPlante
Michael Johnson
Alexander is thrilled to be making his on-stage debut at the Music & Arts Community Center in Fort Myers. Now an L.A.-based actor, his previous credits include Jerry Lee Lewis in Million Dollar Quartet (The Rubicon Theater; Los Angeles), L.M. in Pump Boys and Dinettes (The Depot Theater; New York); Sister Mary Leo in Nunsense: Amen (Winter Park Playhouse; Orlando), Eric the Great in Allie Kazan and the Magic Mansion (Orlando Family Stage; World Premiere); and Fredrick Frankenstein in Young Frankenstein (Athens Theater; Orlando). He’s very grateful to be back in his home state playing in a show that he’s wanted to do since he was the age of the character he’s playing. Follow him on Instagram at Alexander.laplante2539
Nicole Tori
Marian / Chiara / Fair Singer
Nicole Tori is honored to be making her Southwest Florida Theatre Company debut in this stunning show! Credits: 1st Asian tour of The Sound of Music (six countries, Frau Schmidt); The Wizard of Oz (Wicked Witch of the West/Miss Gulch) Westchester Broadway Theatre; Sweeney Todd (Quintet) Portland Center Stage; Fiddler on the Roof; and The Sound of Music (Sister Sophia) at Fox Theatre Atlanta, Wolf Trap, and Straz Center. Nicole enthusiastically began her career performing opera in NYC before joyfully settling into musical theatre. She currently sings with Opera Naples, the Naples Philharmonic Chorus, and is the Founding Artistic Director of Choir Illume based in Beacon, NY (the most artistic little city in America).
Creative Team
Ashley Coia
Director
Ashley Coia (she/her) is a director and theatrical artist committed to creating exceptional theatrical experiences through human-centered spaces where creativity can flourish. Passionate about dramaturgy, she grounds her work in deep engagement with text, research, and movement. Ashley received her BFA in Drama with a concentration in Musical Theatre from New York University’s Tisch Department of Drama. Recent credits include: Waitress (Director, Winner: Broadway World Award for Best Direction, Best Musical, Best Ensemble), Spring Awakening (Director, Regional, Winner: Broadway World Award for Best Direction of a Musical), Ragtime (Associate Director, The Goodspeed), Once On This Island (Associate Director, Theatre Raleigh), Carrie (Associate Director, NYU Tisch), The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical (Director, Regional), & Godspell (Associate Director, Regional). Upcoming: Our Town (The Ghostlight Theatre). Special thanks to this incredible cast, crew, and creative team for their dedication and heart to this beautiful story. www.ashleycoia.com
Julie Carver
Music Director
Nia Benn
Production Stage Manager
Brian Jannsen
Technical Director & Sound Designer
Devon Garbus
Lighting Designer
Diana Waldier
Costume Supervisor
Andrew Kurtz
Producer
News About The Bridges of Madison County at Music & Arts Community Center
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