The third production of this season “The Bridges of Madison County” opened at the Hackmatack Barn Playhouse in North Berwick. The acclaimed motion picture by the same name was based on a novel by Robert J. Walter. This production, a musical version was based on a book by Marsha Norman with Lyrics and Music by Jason R. Brown.

At the outset I want to congratulate executive producer Michael Guptil and artistic director Crystal Lisbon for programming this quality product. Everything that I observed about this productive emanated thought, care and concern.

Normally, one would assume that things like sets and lighting would be up to professional standards and unless there were compelling reasons (and space) I would normally omit crediting these artists. This is such a case. The sets by Dane Leeman were effective, the entrance and removal of these as well as the props were smoothly and unobtrusively accomplished thanks to Jake Gero and his crew. There was a full screen with changing and effective scenes throughout the show, as well as photos of the heroine that went along with the story, and credit has to be given to Bretton Reis. The direction by Danielle Howard was seamless and thoroughly professional throughout.

One should observe that while this show is a musical, it is not in the mold of a typical Broadway show like “Oklahoma”, “My Fair Lady,” etc. There are no catchy or memorable songs that one can take away from the show. The singing (and there is a lot of it) supports the story and/or gives the listener an understanding of the feelings of the characters.

For purposes of this review I will only give a synopses of the plot. The central character, Francesca (Kaherine Fuller) a middle-aged woman who left her native Italy to marry a GI, is now a housewife to a farmer in Iowa. Her husband and two children leave for the agricultural fair in Indianapolis in the summer of l968. A photographer, Robert Kincaid (Brian E. Levario), stops by to ask directions to the nearby covered bridges. (Hence the title.) He is very polite she feels homesick and unappreciated, and one thing leads to another. (The romantic scenes are tastefully done.) At the end she has to decide to leave her family, husband Bud and their two children or go with Robert. Spoiler alert. Her love for her children is the deciding factor and she chooses not to leave.

This bittersweet story has only a few bright contrasting scenes to give contrast to the drama of the two main characters. There is brassy Lindsay Andres in “State Road 21” who also has a beautiful introspective solo as the deceased wife of Robert (Another Life); Evelyn Mahon as Marge, the inquisitive but helpful neighbor in her rendition of “Get Closer”; and Charlie, (Paul Strand) her husband in his rousing performance of “When I’m Gone.” Francesca’s husband, Bud (Jacob J. Zentis) gets bonus points for his acting as well as singing (“When I’m Gone.) The active (obnoxious) children, Carolyn and Michael (Janais Axelrod and Jacob Less) are convincing in their parts. The lions share of acting and singing go to the central characters. The vocal lines, (consistently difficult to my ears) were effectively sung by Fuller and Levario. Fuller has an admirable soprano (with occasional overactive vibrato) while Levario has a sweet lyric tenor. Both can act as well as sing. Levario impressed throughout but especially in “It All Fades Away.” Fuller impressed early in the opening selection “To Build A Home.” One felt the sexual attraction between the two in “Falling For You” and the tension at the end when Francesca had to choose between her lover (Robert) and her husband (Bud.) The ensemble singing of the remaining members of the cast was at a high level throughout, particularly in “State Road’ and “Always Better.”

The critical role of music director fell to Suzanne J. Jones as pianist and conductor. That all went smoothly and even with distinction is to her credit. Her colleagues included: Carolyn Norris, Violin; Julia Perelgut, Viola; Alexendra Carella, Cello; Ben Stevens, Bass; Andy Buslovitch, Guitar; and Brian Waterhouse, Drums.

Remaining shows will be performed evenings at 8 p.m. Aug. 2-4 and 8-11. There will also be matinee performances at 2 p.m. Aug. 2 and 9.

— Dr. Morton Gold is a composer/conductor, retired educator and an arts reviewer for the Journal Tribune.