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Membership Information: membership@auroraplayers.org
Playbill Information: playbill@auroraplayers.org
All other questions: info@auroraplayers.org
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Aurora Players
P.O. Box 206
East Aurora, NY 14052
Winner of FIVE Theatre Association of New York State (TANYS) awards!
- Excellence in Ensemble Performance to the Cast
- Excellence in Direction to Nathan Andrew Miller
- Excellence in Vocal and Orchestral Direction to Benjamin Davis
- Excellence in Performance to Rebecca Runge for the portrayal of Francesca
- Outstanding Achievement in Performance to Merrick Allen for the portrayal of Robert
We enjoyed the performance of The Bridges of Madison County. The actors and actresses were outstanding and had amazing voices. We always enjoy your performances.
We loved it!! What talented actors, great costumes, beautiful singing. I highly recommend seeing it.
A must see, what an awesome show!
The Bridges of Madison County
Book by Marsha Norman, Music and Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown
Based on the novel by Robert James Waller
Show Synopsis:
Based on the best-selling novel, which later became an acclaimed film starring Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood, The Bridges of Madison County explores the roads we travel, the doors we open and the bridges we dare to cross.
Francesca Johnson, a beautiful Italian woman who married an American soldier to flee war-ravaged Italy, looks forward to a rare four days alone on her Iowa farm while her family goes to the State Fair. When ruggedly handsome National Geographic photographer, Robert Kincaid, pulls into her driveway seeking directions, their unexpected connection sparks a moving story of love, loyalty and longing. Set in 1965 Iowa, it features a lush and expressive musical score.
Meet the Directors
Director: Nathan Andrew Miller
Nate is thrilled to make his directorial debut at Aurora Players, where he previously played the Baker in the 2022 production of Into the Woods. Nate has been acting and directing in WNY since 2014. A proud Niagara University graduate, Nate began his career working for the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire for one season, and made his post-university professional debut in Buffalo at Irish Classical Theatre in Lion in Winter. As an actor, Nate has worked with Irish Classical Theatre, Alleyway Theatre, New Phoenix Theatre, Kenan Center, and the Lancaster Opera House, where he also directs. He briefly ran his own theater company, Pared Down Productions, where he served as Artistic Director, as well as performed and directed.
Music Director: Benjamin Davis
Ben is very excited to serve as music director for The Bridges of Madison County at Aurora Players. Ben has been a music teacher in WNY for 25 years, 20 of them right here in East Aurora. After a long time away from the theater community, he recently returned to the stage in the role of Captain Arthur Keller in Aurora Players’ production of The Miracle Worker, followed by a turn as the great tenor Tito Morelli—Il Stupendo—in Lend Me a Tenor. Ben will next make his directorial debut at Aurora Players with the winter production of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express.
Meet the Cast
Rebecca Runge
Francesca
Merrick Allen
Robert Kincaid
Jason Gonser
Bud
Molly Enstice
Carolyn
Sam Olszewski
Michael
Dori Shear McGowan
Marge
Steve Wendell
Charlie
Alexandra Montesano
Marian/State Fair Singer
Katelyn Gard
Chiara/Ensemble
Emerson Disch
Ensemble
Liam Hinman
Ensemble
Patricia Hoefler
Ensemble
Lacie Kowalczewski
Ensemble
Tim Musial
Ensemble
Rosalie Stephens
Ensemble
Matt Touris
Paolo/Ensemble
Emma Unwin
Ensemble
DETAILS:
- Auditions will be held at the East Aurora Senior Citizens Center, 101 King Street, East Aurora. Please use the King Street entrance, which is across from a plaza. All other entrances will be locked.
- The show opens on Friday, October 10 and runs for three weekends through Sunday, October 26. Friday/Saturday shows at 7:30 PM; Sunday shows at 2:30 PM.
- All cast members must be available for first read through on July 28. Rehearsals begin August 4; please note any dates you are unavailable for rehearsal in August and September on the audition form.
PREPARATION:
Please prepare and bring 32 bars of sheet music from a Broadway musical to sing with piano accompaniment. There will be no dance audition. Sides from the script will be provided at callbacks.
SYNOPSIS:
Francesca Johnson, an Italian woman who married an American soldier to flee war-ravaged Italy, looks forward to a rare four days alone on her Iowa farm while her family goes to the Iowa State Fair. When ruggedly handsome, National Geographic photographer, Robert Kincaid, pulls into her driveway seeking directions, what happens in those four days may very well alter the course of Francesca’s life. Set in 1965 Iowa, The Bridges of Madison County is a sweeping romance, driven by a lush and expressive score.
Please note: The Bridges of Madison County is an intimate story and we are looking for actors who are comfortable with and can authentically portray that intimacy. Those cast as Robert and Francesca will have several intimate moments. Aurora Players is committed to creating a comfortable and consensual atmosphere during rehearsals and for the performance.
CHARACTERS AND DESCRIPTIONS:
Francesca Johnson
Generous, luminous, and yearning, Francesca is married to a farmer, Bud Johnson, and living in Iowa with their two teenage children. Strong mezzo-soprano with an Italian accent.
Robert Kincaid
A ruggedly handsome, worldly, visionary photographer. Rich, bari-tenor voice.
Bud Johnson
Francesca’s loyal husband. Bud is an Iowa farmer, a good guy, diligent and dependable. Baritone.
Carolyn Johnson (about 14) & Michael Johnson (about 16)
Francesca and Bud’s children.
Marge & Charlie
The nosy but lovable neighbors.
Ensemble (any age)
Strong singers and character actors of all types and voice parts.
Questions? Write to info@auroraplayers.org or leave a message with our box office: 716-687-6727. Aurora Players welcomes all to audition, whether new or seasoned actors.