The musical romance The Bridges of Madison County is now onstage at the historic Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, PA, until September 10. 

 

This lovely production stars the lovely Broadway stars Kate Baldwin and Nicholas Rodriguez, in an authentic, realistic, and altogether sizzlingly sensuous performance. They are two people who need more human contact and physical validation than they were experiencing up to their meeting, and they find it. 

 

Based upon James Waller’s 1992 book, many may recall the 1995 film of The Bridges of Madison County which starred Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood. The Broadway musical arrived in 2014. We now have gay heartthrob and Broadway star Nicholas Rodriguez as Robert Kincaid, National Geographic photographer, on assignment to photograph the covered bridges in the area. Unable to find the last bridge, destiny brings him to Francesca Johnson’s (Broadway star Kate Baldwin’s) farmhouse for directions. Their attraction is immediate, and grows incrementally until … . Well, that’s giving the story away.

 

The Bridges of Madison County happens over the course of four days in 1965 (and years later), when Francesca finds herself alone on the farm while her husband and two children go off to the State Fair on business. Francesca must decide quickly whether or not her newly-awakened sexual ecstasy is reason enough to leave her husband, children, and American life behind to follow a dashing, handsome man who has fulfilled all of her physical, emotional, sexual, and sensual desires for the last few days. 

 

Baldwin and Rodriguez will steam up your eyeglasses, make you shift in your seat, and nervously clear your throat as you may sit next to your spouse of 30 years or more. Depending upon your sexual politics, you may see yourself as Baldwin, or Rodriguez, as they caress and orally consume each other on stage in throes of passion. 

 

Stagecraft is of the highest order, live music accentuates the splendor and pathos, the many heartfelt songs will transport you, and you will surely enjoy an experience to remember for many years to come.

 

When you go: Be aware that parking, once challenging, is now impossible, even during a weekday matinee. Handicapped parking is at a bare minimum. If you’re disabled even slightly, the walk from the Union Square parking lot will be arduous. There is a minimum $4.00 fee which will just about cover seeing a play. The Playhouse owns the lot adjacent to it and will be your best bet. It is $30 and valet parking only. Proceeds from the lot help support the non-profit Playhouse and its activities.

 

For more information, tickets, and for news of the coming season, visit www.bcptheater.org . Next on stage will be The Rocky Horror Show, October 13-28.