The Bridges of Madison County

Capturing the lyrical expanse of America’s heartland, Matthew Management and Neil Gooding Productions in association with Hayes Theatre Co presents the Australian premiere of The Bridges of Madison County this March.

Based on the best-selling novel by Robert James Waller and developed by the Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning creative team of Jason Robert Brown (The Last Five Years, Parade, Songs for a New World) and Marsha Norman (The Secret Garden, The Colour Purple), The Bridges of Madison County is probably best known as the hit Academy Award-nominated film starring Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood.

Francesca Johnson is an Italian immigrant housewife living a happy existence on a farm in the American Midwest. However, while her family are away for a few days at the 1965 State Fair, she meets Robert Kincaid, a National Geographic photographer on assignment filming historic bridges in the area. Their initial friendship develops into a brief but passionate affair which has devastating consequences on both their lives.

Directed by Neil Gooding (Dogfight, High Fidelity), The Bridges of Madison County features an outstanding cast including Ian Stenlake (Mamma Mia, Georgy Girl) in the leading role of Robert Kincaid and Kate Maree Hoolihan (We Will Rock You, My Fair Lady) as Francesca.

They are joined by Michael Beckley (Melba, West Side Story), Anton Berezin (Evita, Sweeney Todd), Beth Daly (Cry-Baby, Hello Dolly!), Zoe Ioannou (West Side Story, The Wizard of Oz), Katie McKee (My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music) and Grady Swithenbank (Sweet Charity, West Side Story).

A stellar creative team has been assembled including musical director – Geoffrey Castles (Aladdin, Aspects of Love), choreographer – Leah Howard (The Rocky Horror Show), set designer – James Browne (Cabaret, Miracle City), costume designer – Anna Gardiner (Evie May, Henry V), sound designer – Alan Lugger (Aspects of Love, SIX) and lighting designer – Phoebe Pilcher (Starstruck, This Bitter Earth).

Winner of the 2014 Tony Award for Best Score and Orchestrations, this sweeping romance about the roads we travel, the doors we open and the bridges we dare to cross, will leave audiences breathless.