*Lakeland Civic Theatre * *The Bridges of Madison County* ""So let’s make one thing perfectly clear: One could not ask for a more beautiful musical rendering of this show, since the two leads, Trinidad Snider as Francesca and Shane Patrick O’Neil as Robert, deliver Brown’s evocative songs with power, tenderness and deep feeling. Indeed, the entire cast under the well-crafted musical direction of Jordan Cooper has a chance to display their estimable vocal talents in a number of genre-varied tunes." Christine Howey, "Raves and Pans" Music and Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown Book by Marsha Norman "In addition to Friedman's attraction to underdogs, he also has an affinity for finding the heart in everything he stages, particularly the underdogs. Which is why his Northeast Ohio premiere production of “The Bridges of Madison County” works so well." Bob Abelman, "The Cleveland Jewish News and The News Herald" Directed by Martin Friedman Sets and Lights by Trad A Burns Musical Direction by Jordan Cooper Costumes by Tesia Benson Sound by Eric Simna "As they did in their remarkable 2014 production of “The Light at the Piazza,” Friedman and designer Trad A Burns manage to bring a European flavor and a palatable sense of longing to the stage, despite this play’s Iowa setting and the realistic covered bridge built to house all the play’s action. They do this through unhurried pacing, rich lighting and the long, dramatic shadows it creates, and the confidence to linger during the significant silences in romantic moments before finally fading to black." Bob Abelman, "The Cleveland Jewish News and The News Herald" *The Play:* *The Bridges of Madison County* is based on the best-selling novel, and developed by the Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning creative team of Jason Robert Brown (The Last Five Years, Parade and Songs for a New World) and Marsha Norman (The Secret Garden, ‘Night Mother and The Color Purple) who went on to win the Tony Award for Best Score and Orchestrations in 2014 for this stunning romance. On a quiet farm in America’s heartland, an immigrant Italian war bride becomes an Iowan housewife. That is, until a National Geographic photographer seeking directions to the area’s historic covered bridges knocks on her door. As she helps him find the locations for the photo shoots, an unexpected, yet powerful connection grows. A sweeping romance about the roads we travel, the doors we open and the bridges we dare to cross will leave audiences breathless. *The Bridges of Madison County* is a Tony-award winning and Northeast Ohio local premiere. Be swept away… *Roles:* *Francesca Johnson :* *Trinidad Snider* *Richard "Bud" Johnson**: **Scott Esposito* *Robert Kincaid**: **Shane O'Neill* *Marian/Chiara**: **Amanda Tidwell* *Michael Johnson:* *Frank Ivancic* *Carolyn Johnson**: **Anna Barrett* *Marge:* *Amiee Collier* *Charlie:* *Brian Altman* *Production Dates:* *The Bridges of Madison County **will open on Friday, February 3 and run through February 19, 2017. There will be nine (9) performances. * *February 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, and 18, 2017 @ 7:30 PM February 5, 12 and 19, 2017 @ 2:00 PM.* *Tickets: $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and $7 for all students. For ticket reservations and information call* *440-525-7134* <440-525-7134>* or contact Martin Friedman at martinfriedman98@gmail.com <martinfriedman98@gmail.com> **OR **Order tickets on-line at **www.lakelandcc.edu/arts <http://www.lakelandcc.edu/arts>.* For more information, please feel free to contact me, Martin Friedman at martinfriedman98@gmail.com. FREE PARKING.