By Lisa Panzer
As RVC&O’s amazing orchestra, conducted by Florrie Marks, kicks off ‘State Fair’ with a rollicking overture, a keen energy seemed to fill the house, which is utterly amplified by an outstanding cast throughout the show. Starting out in 1932 as a book authored by Phil Stong, then adapted for film in 1933 starring Will Rogers, in 1945 Rodgers and Hammerstein teamed up to turn the story of the Frakes, an ordinary Iowan farming family and their experiences at the state fair into an extraordinary musical – especially at RVC&O.
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.
There is much more going on than prize pigs, pickles and pie to this production. Glitzy nightclub scenes, romantically staged strolls, ‘pickling’ by pie, and specialty acts and more are in store for the Frake family during the 3-day Iowa State Fair in late August 1946. Anything can happen! Love is be found, lost, re-discovered, or for some, tied up in a favorite hog as in the quartet tune “More Than Just a Friend”, an ode to swine hilariously performed with sweet affection by Abel (Jeff Swafford), Lem (Vinnie Emilianowicz), Clay (Michael Dutka) and Hank (Mike Stadnicki). The musical numbers “It Might as Well be Spring” sung by Margie Frake (Sophie Bloom in a lovely dolcet tone voice) and the sizzling “You Never Had it so Good” by Emily Arden (Cara Nardone rocks) and the Fairtones (Grace Albert, Jennifer Heller, Ellie Knickman, Sharon Kotzen) are simply delightful along with many others.
The Frake family is portrayed by Sophie Bloom (Margie), Jeff Swafford (Abel), Lisa Franks (Melissa) and Chris Rubino (Wayne).
The splendid variety of choreographed dance, costumes by Ellen K. Tillman, Cathy Wakefield, set design by Chris Rubino (the screen door in the Frake’s kitchen is a great touch), utilization of stage spaces, and the gloriously subtle detail in the background action in grouped scenes added overall depth and dimension to a well-orchestrated production, co- directed by Kathy Michael and Robert Moore.
With so much to see and beautiful music to experience, head on over to RVC&O’s ‘State Fair’!
If You Go:
“State Fair”
Book by Tom Briggs and Louis Mattioli
Music by Richard Rogers
Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Remaining performances:
- Wednesday, April 2 at 8 p.m.
- Saturday, April 5 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
- Sunday, April 6 at 2 p.m.
at the Strath Haven Middle School, 200 South Providence Road (Route 252), Wallingford, PA 19086. For tickets go to https://www.rvco.org/Tickets.php or call their ticket hotline at 610-565-5010, or purchase at the door.