When actor Max DeTogne arrived in June to the nearly 20-acre wooden property owned by Dunes Art Foundation in Michigan City, home of the 240-seat Dunes Summer theatre, he said his first assignment was to read the 1992 best-selling romance novel “The Bridges of Madison County” written by Robert James Waller.
“I wasn’t all that familiar with the story or the characters,” said DeTogne, who last summer starred as the lead in the Dunes Summer Theatre July production of “tick, tick…Boom!”
“Once I started reading it, I was quickly hooked.”
DeTogne, who lives in the Chicago suburbs, is cast in the role of photographer Robert Kincaid, portrayed in the 1995 Warner Bros. film version by Clint Eastwood, the latter who also directed the movie project.
The Dunes Summer Theatre stage musical adaptation of “The Bridges of Madison County” July 26-Aug. 11 is directed by Steve Scott with music direction by Andrew Flasch.
Dunes Summer Theatre set designer Michael Lasswell was tasked with scenic bridge building on stage.
“One thing that didn’t have to be built for this show is the genuine chemistry of these two great singing actors who never really seem to be acting because their relationship seems so natural,” Lasswell said.
“Add to that, the genius of the score with the leading male part written more in the James Taylor and a Harry Chapin blend of rock, folk, blues to tip into the country realm, as contrasted by the female lead, which is set as more of an opera. The combination of the two of them when they are together is genuinely breathtaking. It’s like watching this gravitational pull between the two of them.”
Set in 1965 Winterset, Iowa, “The Bridges of Madison County” details the story of Francesca, an Italian war bride who misses Europe but embraces her family and marital duties of rural farm life in Iowa. Her chance encounter with photographer Kincaid, who is on assignment for National Geographic magazine, forever changes Francesca’s life and outlook about her everyday dreams with an unexpected dose of romance and adventure as a catalyst for later thoughtful and difficult decisions.
Kristianna Dilworth, who hails from Washington D.C., is cast as Francesca.
“I’ve never worked with Kristianna before but she has made our stage time together so easy in front of the audience,” DeTogne said.
“She wasn’t familiar with the film version of this story so we watched it together to prepare how to approach our characters.”
It was in 2014 when a Broadway musical adaptation of the story was unveiled in New York with Marsha Norman creating the book story paired with music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown. It closed after three months but inspired a 2015 national tour and the first Chicagoland production of the musical at Marriott Theatre Lincolnshire in June 2017. In 2019, 4th Street Theater staged an intimate incarnation of the stage musical at their Chesterton stage venue.
The rest of the Dunes Summer Theatre cast includes Danielle Kerr, Tommy O’Brien, Emma Radtke, Gabriel Reitemeier, Kate Turner, Jim and Kim Lampl and Jackson Mikkelsen.
A new feature for the Dunes Summer Theatre run of “The Bridges of Madison County” is a dinner theater option courtesy of a partnership with Cook Street Café. Ranging in price from $16 to $24, with advanced reservations required, guests can pick choices like a pork cutlet sandwich served with sweet potato fries or fried chicken dinner with mashed potatoes, gravy and corn on the cob or lighter fare such as a charred corn and spinach salad with sunflower seeds and a balsamic vinaigrette. Dessert is warm apple crisp with vanilla ice cream.
Dining orders must be made with the box office at least 48 hours in advance.
“Because of the time period the story is set in, I’ve had to get used to some of the retro references, what they eat and drink and even the props, including Robert’s square, vintage professional camera,” DeTogne said.
“The cameras of the past required a lot more skill and attention than today’s cell phone camera equivalents.”
Philip Potempa is a freelance reporter for The Post-Tribune.
‘The Bridges of Madison County’
When: July 26-Aug.11
Where: Dunes Summer Theatre, 288 Shady Oak Drive, Michigan City
Cost: $30-$35
Information: 219-879-7509; dunesARTS.org
