The Frake family will be portrayed by Sophie Bloom (Margie), Jeff Swafford (Abel), Lisa Franks (Melissa) and Chris Rubino (Wayne).
This spring, return to a simpler time and enjoy an old-fashioned fair as the Rose Valley Chorus and Orchestra presents the musical, State Fair, March 29-April 6 at Strath Haven Middle School (SHMS) in Wallingford, PA. The show has music by Richard Rodgers, Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and a book by Tom Briggs and Louis Mattioli. The musical is co-directed by Kathy Michael and Robert Moore with music direction and conducting by Florrie Marks.
RVCO’s cast includes (front row) Steve Nazigian, Folsom; Tim Tillman, Parkside; Sophie Bloom, Collegeville; Ellie Knickman, Ardmore; Marie Maguire, Blue Bell; and (back row) Todd Andrews, Wilmington, DE; Chris Rubino, Drexel Hill; Jeff Swafford, Springfield; and Bill Michael, Wallingford; and Jennifer Heller, Swarthmore.
State Fair features an Academy Award-winning score by Rodgers and Hammerstein, including “It Might as Well Be Spring,” “A Grand Night for Singing” and “Our State Fair.” RVCO’s talented cast and large orchestra are thrilled to be able to perform these beautiful numbers that express the Frake family’s dreams.
State Fair is one of only two Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals that premiered as movies before their stage musical counterparts— the other one was Cinderella, performed by RVCO last spring. RVCO’s version is based on a 1945 movie starring Dana Andrews, Jean Crane and Vivian Blaine. The Broadway premiere of State Fair in 1996 earned both Rodgers and Hammerstein their final, posthumous Tony nominations. Interestingly, the movie was set in Texas and the musical in Iowa.
Behind the scenes, the set designer and production crew are creating sets that will transform the stage into 1946 Iowa, complete with fair booths filled with pickles, pies and pigs, all hoping for that blue ribbon!
If You Go
All performances are at SHMS, 200 S. Providence Road, Wallingford, PA 19086, and include two shows on Saturdays, March 29 and April 5 at 2 and 8 p.m.; Sundays, March 30 and April 6 at 2 p.m.; and Wednesday, April 2 at 8 p.m. Tickets are general admission and good for any performance. Online tickets can be purchased at http://www.rvco.org/. Cash, checks, and online payments are also available at the door.
For other questions, e-mail tickets@rvco.org or call our RVCO hotline at 610-565-5010.