TheatreZone's 'Bridges of Madison County' brings mega-bestseller to musical life

Some people might say "The Bridges of Madison County" works better as a musical than it did as a book, with all due respect to the late author, Robert James Waller.

It's much easier to blend in some comic relief with a song via a scandalized — but discreet — neighbor and her oblivious husband. You can distill plot turns and breathing points efficiently in tunes like "Temporarily Lost," "State Road 21" and Bud's sweet, bluesy farewell "When I'm Gone."

If you don't remember the book, no worries. Marsha Norman's script, while close to the 1992 bestseller novella, supplies a story that stands on its own. It sets up the minefield methodically: Dad and the kids' departure for the fair. The unplanned moment that brings Iowa cornfield widow Francesa into the arms of National Geographic photographer Robert Kincaid. The realizations, through intermittent phone calls, that she has kids who need her, a husband who loves her. His recognition that his own life must be root-free.

And the neighbor has binoculars. That is a substory that threads itself so well into the musical, you're not sure until late in the play that Marge, for all her chatter to her husband about Kincaid's truck at the Johnson house, is covering for her friend.

There is no gloss on the two central characters in the TheatreZone production currently on stage (see the information box for details). Kristin Carbone and Larry Alexander play a Francesca Johnson and Robert Kincaid who have had their sheen worn off by responsibilities for a million home-cooked meals or the continuous haul from assignment to assignment.

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When the romantic opportunities present themselves they seem a little clumsy at it. But that's likely closer to reality than the well-scrubbed Broadway version. We might want Robert to smile a little less while Francesca is emoting about her life, and Francesca to forgo the semi-supine position to make her vocalese work in "Who We Are and Who We Want to Be."

But both are solid singers and authentic characters who project the pain as well as the joy in their brief time together. You'll want a handkerchief close by for Alexander's affecting farewell. As hard as the decision has been for Francesca, he makes you realize it's been harder for Robert.

TheatreZone Artistic Director Mark Danni is directing this one, and he never neglects the supporting cast. Brent D. Kuenning as Bud, Francesca's farmer husband, radiates sincerity in his exasperation with his teenage children, and in his — too often unspoken — love for Francesca. He also gets several of the best songs in "When I'm Gone" and the country-jazzy "You're Never Alone."

Siena Worland and Leonard Allen are fresh and natural — and appropriately maddening — as the Johnson children. And Susan Dohan (Marge) can vamp a song with as much fire as Curt Denham, as her husband, Charlie, can pour cold water. His response to her rousing rendition of "Get Closer": "Hey, is there any of that cake left?"

Karen Konken takes the quick-change award, playing Francesca's older sister, Chiara; the country star at the state fair; and Ginny, in a dream sequence of Kincaid's ex-wife. Yes, even his ex-wife gets a solo.

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Robert Jason Brown has done all that with smartly crafted music and lyrics. TheatreZone's musicians, tucked away with conductor Charles Fornara right on the Madison County bridge, do them justice.

As a book, "The Bridges of Madison County" could be taxing with its unremitting romanticism. But as a musical, especially in this production, the emotional breaks and amplifications will keep you engrossed the entire time.

Harriet Howard Heithaus covers arts and entertainment for the Naples Daily News/naplesnews.com. Reach her at 239-213-6091.

Who: TheatreZone production of the bestseller's musical version

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, April 28-May 1; 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 30-May1

Where: G&L Theatre, The Community School of Naples, 13275 Livingston Road, Naples

Admission: $50-$85

To buy: theatre.zone or phone 888-966-3352, ext. 1

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: TheatreZone's 'Bridges of Madison County' a musical bestseller