BWW Photo Flash: First Look at Utah Rep's THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY

Utah Repertory Theater Company stages the Utah premiere production of the Tony-winning BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY at the Eccles Theater's Regent Street Black Box in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City Nov. 25-Dec. 10.

Based on the best-selling novel and developed by the Pulitzer- and Tony Award-winning creative team of Jason Robert Brown ("The Last Five Years," "Parade," "Honeymoon in Vegas") and Marsha Norman ("'night, Mother," "The Color Purple," "The Secret Garden"), THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY has a soaring score and heartbreaking story, and is a touching and powerful piece of American theater.

The award-winning Utah Rep is celebrating 5 Seasons of Success with this production.

THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY directors are company Artistic Director/Founder Johnny Hebda and Chase Ramsey. Hebda helmed "Bare," "Carrie," "Kiss of the Spider Woman" and "Side Show," each a regional premiere production, for Utah Rep. Ramsey, whose company directing credits include "Ordinary Days," "What the Bellhop Saw" and "Love Letters," is a Contract Director for the Walt Disney Company and TV viewers will recognize him for his work on Sundance TV's "Now the Discussion" and Visit California's popular "Dream Eater" series.

Music Director Jeanne McGuire previously wielded the baton for Utah Rep's "Ordinary Days," and she has assisted with vocal coaching and accompanying other company productions. As an owner of the Audition Advantage studio, McGuire is a highly sought-after voice teacher with numerous music direction credits.

Erin Royall Carlson plays the role of Francesca Johnson. A popular local actress, Carlson recently played Millie in the Hale Centre Theatre West Valley production of "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers." For Utah Rep she played lead roles in "Kiss of the Spider Woman" and "The Last 5 Years." Other credits include Cassie, "A Chorus Line" (Egyptian Theatre); Fantine, "Les Miz" (Hale Centre Theatre); Eva Peron, "Evita" (Egyptian Theatre and Rodgers Memorial Theatre); and Velma Kelly, "Chicago" (Dark Horse Theatre).

Opposite Carlson is Kevin Goertzen in the role of Robert Kincaid. He makes his return to performing in the state after several years of advanced degree pursuit in Florida. Utah audiences will know Goertzen for his performances as File, "110 in the Shade" (Hale Center Theater Orem); Enjolras, "Les Miz" (Tuacahn); Sir Percival Blakeney, "The Scarlet Pimpernel" (Hale Centre Theatre West Valley); Adam Pontipee, "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" (Sundance Summer Theatre); and Curly, "Oklahoma!" (BYU).

Other cast members are Josh Richardson, Richard "Bud" Johnson; Amanda Van Orden, Marian; Nic Thomas, Michael; Rilee Crump, Carolyn; Elizabeth Hansen, Marge; Gary Pimentel, Charlie; Ardon Smith, Paolo/Radio Singer; and Karli Rose Lowry, State Fair Singer/Waitress.

Buy your tickets now at artsaltlake.org. You'll be reminded that Love Is Always Better.