Francesca Stewart and Joan Hess Photo

From: Photo Flash: Cast of TheatreWorks Silicon Valley's BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY Meets A Special Guest

As the TheatreWorks Silicon Valley cast prepares for its upcoming production of 'The Bridges of Madison County,' set to begin performances April 4 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, members of the team had the opportunity to meet a real Italian war bride, whose story almost mirrors that of the musical's leading character. San Jose resident Francesca Stewart, now 100 years old, is one of the more than a million brides of GIs who originally came to United States due to the War Brides Act passed by Congress in 1945. She stopped by TheatreWorks' Hambly Rehearsal Hall on March 24 to share her story.