In case you missed the
novel and the wildly successful film, this is a love story about an Italian war
bride stifling in Iowa and a lonely traveling photographer who find each other
in a four day passionate affair.
In this musical version, book writer Marsha
Norman manages to bring an honest human dimension to this inherently
sentimental tale. By making her husband and children major characters, and by
bringing in townspeople who understand the need for something to brighten our
lives, the tuneful saga is fully fleshed out.
The national tour cast is
headed by Elizabeth Stanley as Francesca and Andrew Samonsky as Robert. Both
are powerful singers although, with her operatic range, it was sometimes
difficult to understand the lyrics while with Samonsky’s beautiful voice words were
crystal clear.
The added dimension of Francesca’s family is fully delineated by
Cullen R. Titmas as her kind down-to-earth husband, Caitlin Houlahan as her
ingenuous daughter, and Dave Thomas Brown her headstrong son.
Katie Klaus as
Robert’s ex-wife gives insight into his character through a lovely solo
ballad, and Mary Callanan and David Hess are amusing as Francesca's nosy but friendly
neighbors.
Bartlett Sher’s original Broadway
direction is recreated admirably by Tyne Rafaeli, and Michael Yeargan’s
original set design is adapted wonderfully by Mikiko Suzuki MacAdams.
At the Center Theatre
Group/Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Avenue, Downtown Los Angeles. For tickets:
(213) 972-4400 or the CTG Box Office or www.CenterTheatreGroup.org.
Through January 17. Photos by Matthew Murphy.
Also reviewed in the
January issue of NOT BORN YESTERDAY.
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