Elizabeth Stanley, who portrays middle-aged Francesca in The Bridges of Madison County, the epic love story about a housewife and a photographer (Andrew Samonsky), said “the musical focuses on Francesca and her journey (in life) through romance. It’s almost Shakespearean—the two fall hard … it’s the instantaneous connection they have.”
Has anything like this ever happened to her? “Absolutely! I believe this kind of thing can happen, and it has to me.” Stanley thinks this is why she can identify with the character so closely. The chance encounter, and four days of passionate romance, changes the characters’ lives. They must make decisions that affect not just them but her husband and children (who are at the state fair.)
The two-time Tony-winning musical features a score by composer Jason Robert Brown. There’s a variety of music in the score—Stanley’s favorite to sing is the duet, “One Second and a Million Miles,” and her favorite to listen to is the gospel-style “When I’m Gone.”
The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, 2 & 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28, starting at $29 plus tax and fee. 702.749.2000
