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PicksInSix Review: The Bridges of Madison County - Dunes Arts Summer Theatre

 
 

“Spinning By In One Split Second”
PicksInSix® Review | Ed Tracy

Francesca (Kristianna Dilworth) and her husband Richard “Bud” Johnson (Gabriel Reitemeier) have overcome multiple challenges to forge a life on a 300 acre farm in Winterset, Iowa with their two teenage children Michael (Jackson Mikkelsen) and Carolyn (Emma Radtke). As “The Bridges of Madison County” opens, she sings hopefully of the life they have built together, one we find out along the way that is not at all what she envisioned as a young girl growing up in Italy during World War II. She would meet Bud after the death of her soldier fiancé, leave Naples as it was being brutally torn apart and arrive in America to start anew, learning the language and all that comes with raising a family.

Now, years later in 1965, Francesca’s feelings of isolation in the Midwest, trapped within the daily routine of her life, are all consuming. So, with little enthusiasm for the Indiana State Fair and more for reading a book and watching the sky go by, she decides to stay behind alone as Bud takes the kids and a two-ton steer to the 4H national competition. The separation feels natural in a way: Bud, Carolyn and Michael are excited about the event and Francesca admits that having no plans at all for the few days by herself will be a liberating experience.

When Robert Kincaid (Max DeTogne), a National Geographic photographer on assignment, arrives at the door of the Johnson home, Francesca offers to ride with him to the location of Roseman, the last bridge he needs to photograph and the first step on a path that leads the two together into a passionate affair that presents both unimaginable opportunities and a potentially devastating outcome.

The Dunes Arts Summer Theatre production, the brilliant and sensitively staged work of Artistic Director Steve Scott, features the equally superb music direction of Andrew Flasch who renders the rich Jason Robert Brown score brimming with melodies and counter melodies with ease. The book by Marsha Norman is based on the bestselling novel by Robert James Waller that also spawned the 1995 film starring Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood.

The Dunes ensemble, whose impressive vocal harmonies add depth and nuance to the piece, are led by the extraordinary performances of Dilworth and DeTogne in lead roles. Dilworth, a St. Louis native who now lives in Arlington, Virginia, is simply stunning in all facets of the deeply layered role of Francesca expressing the complexity of a woman at a turning point in her life, upended by passion, conflicted and longing for a path to what could be.  I have long admired DeTogne’s work in Chicago and this may well be one of his finest performances to date, delivering a strong, yet sensitive man who understands the enormous consequences of his deep, abiding love for Francesca.

Director Scott also successfully navigates two delicate relationships in the piece: the ebb and flow between Francesca and Bud, a finely-paced line that Reitemeier follows impeccably with depth and understanding while displaying his own exceptional vocal skills; and, Marge (Kim Lampl) and Charlie (Jim Lampl), the down home neighbors who recognize what is transpiring and provide the caring support that Francesca will need to sort things out. Framed in a sleek modular set designed by Micheal Lasswell, fine costume work by Emily Chidalek with evocative lights and sound by Arturo Pozos and Jake Tillman, the Dunes production of “The Bridges of Madison County” is a moving and memorable evening of theatre not to be missed.

PHOTO|Andy Neal

Dunes Arts Summer Theatre
presents
The Bridges of Madison County
Michiana Shores, Indiana
through August 11


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TICKETS

For more reviews, visit: Theatre In Chicago

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PicksInSix Review: Blithe Spirit - Dunes Summer Theatre

 
 

“I’ll Be Loving You…Always”
PicksInSix® Review | Ed Tracy

Is there a better way to introduce an audience to a superb regional theatre production of Noël Coward’s classic farce “Blithe Spirit” at the Dunes Summer Theatre than a hauntingly beautiful performance of Irving Berlin’s immortal love song “Always” by the enchanting spirit of the play herself? It’s one of many nuanced enhancements by director Michael Lasswell who has crafted a briskly-paced comic offering for the acclaimed summer theatre that opened its 73rd season on Friday night.

The word “crafted” is not used lightly here since in addition to directing an exuberant cast in a smart, spry and entertaining production of one of Coward’s most well-known and challenging works, Lasswell also contributed a stunning 1940s era scenic design. The creative elements of this show—Emily Chidaleck’s stylish costumes accented by Arturo Pozos’s flawless lighting design and the gentle but mystical touch of Jake Tillman’s sound design—and that exquisite performance at the top by Danielle Kerr, set the tone perfectly for all the enjoyable mayhem that follows.

The “Blithe Spirit” of Coward’s title is actually Elvira Condomine (Kerr), the long-deceased first wife of British novelist Charles Condomine (Sean Kelly) who is ‘materialized’ from the otherworld by Madame Arcati (Madeline Pell), an appealingly eccentric psychic who is invited for cocktails, dinner and a séance at the Condomine manor house in southeast London. It’s all a bit of a ruse by Charles who is working on a new project and hopes to gather research into the mixed up, mystic world in which Arcati resides. What starts out as after-dinner entertainment evolves into comic chaos as Elvira answers Arcati’s call and begins to wield her own special havoc first on Charles and then on his current wife Ruth (Danielle Bilderback) for her own ends.

While Ruth tries to rationalize the erratic actions of her husband, things start to fly about and Ruth senses the very real threat that Elvira’s spirit may be settling in to stay. So, it’s up to the spiritual prowess of Madame Arcati to bring things back to normal with a spell or two of her own.

Lasswell draws fine performances from Kelly and Bilderback who have to cope with the haunting presence of Kerr’s captivating Elivira. Pell’s brilliant comic turn as Madame Arcati is a laugh-out-loud riot. Rounding out the cast is Mary Jane Britton as the Condomine’s unwavering maid, Edith, Dean Johanson as Dr. Bradman and Stacy Nelson as Mrs. Bradman.

The Dunes Summer Theatre, the oldest continually produced company in Northwest Indiana, is under the artistic direction of Chicago-based theatre artist and director Steve Scott and managing director Elise Kermani. “Blithe Spirit plays through June 16 and the summer season continues with productions of Talley’s Folly (June 28-July 14) directed by Morgan McCabe and The Bridges of Madison County (July 26-August 11) directed by Scott – exciting and promising nights of theatre for the months ahead in Michiana Shores.

PHOTO|Dunes Summer Theatre
Dunes Arts Summer Theatre
presents
BLITHE SPIRIT
Michiana Shores, Indiana
through June 16


WEBSITE
TICKETS
For more reviews, visit: Theatre In Chicago

ARCHIVE

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