The Frake family of Iowa make plans to attend the State Fair in late summer 1946. Father Abel Frake has hopes that his boar will win a prize; his wife Melissa is entering her mincemeat. Daughter Margy is upset with her beau's (Harry) plans for their life together ("It Might as Well Be Spring"). The family heads for the fair ("Driving at Night/Our State Fair"), where son Wayne meets Emily Arden, a singer, and falls instantly in love ("That's for Me"). Meanwhile, Melissa's mincemeat has won a Blue Ribbon. Margy meets Pat, a reporter, and a mutual romantic attraction develops.
On the last day of the fair, Abel's boar wins the Blue Ribbon, Emily breaks off the growing relationship with Wayne, and Pat must leave for a new job. Back home, Wayne returns to his old girlfriend Eleanor. Pat arrives unexpectedly and asks Margy to marry him. Margy accepts.
Act I
It is late Summer 1946 on the Frake family farm in Brunswick, Iowa. The Frakes are preparing to leave for the Iowa State Fair. Father, Abel, is confident his prize boar, Blue Boy, will win a blue ribbon, but neighbour, Dave Miller, isn't so sure. He makes a $5 bet that something is bound to go wrong for at least one member of the family. Abel accepts the bet. Abel's wife, Melissa, has her heart set on a blue ribbon for her mincemeat. Son, Wayne, is disappointed that his girlfriend has to stay at home. Daughter, Margy, is feeling down and doesn't understand why. Her suitor, Harry, pressures her for an answer to his long-standing marriage proposal; she agrees to give him an answer when she returns home.
So it's off to the Fair. Arriving at the midway, Wayne heads straight for the ring toss where he is hustled by the barker. A glamorous woman intercedes on Wayne's behalf He is smitten before he even gets to know who she is. At the beer tent, Abel and his cronies sit around trading stories about their loved ones.Meanwhile, a young and somewhat world-weary reporter, Pat Gilbert, arrives to cover the Fair. He sets his sights on Margy, who remains aloof until he begins to win her over. Wayne happens by the Starlight Dance Meadow in time to catch the floor show. The star attraction is Emily Arden, the woman he met earlier in the day. Over a beer she tells Wayne she is determined to become a Broadway star. He asks for a date, charming her with his boyish enthusiasm. She agrees, but on her terms.
The next morning, Margy bemoans the life Harry is planning for them. Abel is so excited at the prospect of victory and winning his bet with Dave Miller that he proposes an evening of family fun and dancing.
At the Exhibit Hall that afternoon the pickles and mincemeat are being judged. As it happens, Melissa's mincemeat has been amply spiked, which sends the judges into giggles of delight. She wins the blue ribbon and a special plaque. Pat is on hand to capture the euphoric moment. From a moonlit hill, Wayne and Emily watch the fair below. He has fallen head over heels, but she remains cautious.
At the Starlight Dance Meadow fairgoers gather for a dreamy waltz. Abel and Melissa dance romantically, Wayne and Emily arrive with a distinct glow, and Pat and Margy share a first tentative kiss as Harry arrives unexpectedly.
Act II
It is the final day of the Fair. Despite Harry's presence, Pat and Margy are clearly growing fonder of each other. As Margy rushes off to cheer for Blue Boy, Pat's friends help him realise he is no longer his old self. Blue Boy is finally declared the winner of the hog-judging competition, and Abel cannot contain his joy.
Pat learns he has landed the Chicago job interview he has been waiting for, but it means catching the next train out of town. Reluctant to leave Margy in the lurch, he races off just as she arrives for their date. The scene shifts to the Starlight Dance Meadow and Emily Arden's final performance. Both women realise their relationships are in trouble. Later that night Wayne proclaims his love for Emily, but she breaks it off. Back at the family campsite, Abel and Melissa are basking in their victories. Melissa is concerned about the children, but Abel assures her that they have each other. Wayne staggers in having drowned his sorrows. In his stupor, however, his thoughts turn to his girl back home. Understandingly, Abel helps his son 'Walk it off'. On the darkened midway Margy is still waiting for Pat. The Fair is almost over, and she realises he is probably not coming. Harry enters, pleading to Margy to accept his proposal. She can't - she realises she just doesn't love him.
The Frakes return home. There is a spread in the local newspaper chronicling their adventures at the Fair, written of course by Pat Gilbert without any of them knowing. Dave Miller reminds Abel that the $5 bet hinged on everyone having a good time at the Fair, and whilst Wayne is thrilled to be home and is making big plans with his girlfriend, Margy seems a little low. At that very moment, who should arrive but Pat, out of breath and full of apologies, but he has just landed the job in Chicago and wants Margy to join him there. The lovers rush into each other's arms as Miller reluctantly hands over the five dollars.
Book adapted from the Hammerstein screenplay for the 20th Century-Fox film released 20 Aug 1945. The screenplay was based on an adaptation by Sonya Levien and Paul Green of the novel by Phil Stong. The musical version was remade by 20th Century-Fox (release date 15 Mar 1962). A 1933 non-musical version, based on the novel, was also released by 20th Century-Fox.
The stage première of STATE FAIR occurred in a two-week run starting 2 June 1969 at the Municipal Opera House in St. Louis MO. This version, with book by Lucille Kallen, did not reach Broadway. Revised versions were performed in regional productions ca. 1992. The score of the version which finally made it to Broadway in 1996 closely resembles that of the regional productions, but there are differences.
A bit of a stir ensued when the 1996 score was nominated for a Tony Award, even though only four of its songs satisfied the criterion of 'original songs written for the theatre'. (It didn't win.)
01 Opening (Abel, Melissa and Wayne)
02 It Might As Well Be Spring (Margy)
03 Driving At Night (The Frakes)
04 Our State Fair (The Ensemble)
05 That's For Me (Wayne)
06 More Than Just A Friend (Abel, Lem, Clay and Hank)
07 Isn't It Kinda Fun? (Pat and Margy)
08 You Never Had It So Good (Emily Arden and the Fairtones)
09 It Might As Well Be Spring (Reprise) (Margy)
10 When I Go Out Walking With My Baby (Abel and Melissa)
11 So Far (Wayne and Emily)
12 It's A Grand Night For Singing (The Company)
13 The Man I Used To Be (Pat, Vivian and Jeanne)
14 All I Owe Ioway (Abel and the Company)
15 The Man I Used To Be (Reprise) (Pat)
16 Isn't It Kinda Fun? (Reprise) (Margy)
17 That's The Way It Happens (Emily Arden and the Fairtones)
18 Boys And Girls Like You And Me (Abel and Melissa)
19 The Next Time It Happens (Margy)
20 Finale Ultimo
Aucun dossier informatif complémentaire concernant State Fair (Scène)
Aucun dossier informatif complémentaire concernant State Fair (Scène)
Version 1
State Fair (Scène) (1969-06-The Muny-St Louis)
Type de série: WorkshopThéâtre: The Muny (St Louis - Etats-Unis) Durée : 1 semaine Nombre : Première Preview : 02 June 1969
Première: 02 June 1969
Dernière: 15 June 1969Mise en scène : James Hammerstein • Chorégraphie : Tommy Tune • Producteur : Star(s) : Avec: Ron Husmann, Jerry Lanning, Bonnie Schon, Carol Richards, Tom Pedi, Tommy Tune and Lawrence Leritz (stage debut) in the children's chorus
Version 2
State Fair (Scène) (1996-03-Music Box Theatre-Broadway)
Type de série: OriginalThéâtre: Music Box Theatre (Broadway - Etats-Unis) Durée : 3 mois Nombre : 8 previews - 110 représentationsPremière Preview : 20 March 1996
Première: 27 March 1996
Dernière: 30 June 1996Mise en scène : Randy Skinner • James Hammerstein • Chorégraphie : Randy Skinner • Producteur : Star(s) : Avec: Melissa Frake ... Kathryn Crosby / Abel Frake ... John Davidson / Margy Frake ... Andrea McArdle / Emily Arden ... Donna McKechnie / Pat Gilbert ... Scott Wise / Wayne Frake ... Ben Wright / Violet ... Jackie Angelescu / Jeanne ... Leslie Bell / Harry ... Peter Benson / The Hoop-La Barker ... Tim Fauvell
Version 3
State Fair (Scène) (2009-08-Finborough Theatre-London)
Type de série: Original LondonThéâtre: Finborough Theatre (Londres - Angleterre) Durée : 1 mois 1 semaine Nombre : Première Preview : 04 August 2009
Première: 04 August 2009
Dernière: 12 September 2009Mise en scène : Thom Southerland • Chorégraphie : Sally Brooks • Producteur : Star(s) : Avec: Philip Rham (Abel), Susan Travers (Melissa), Laura Main (Margy), Gareth Nash (Harry), Sion Lloyd (Wayne), Kellie Shirley (Emily), David Botham (Pat), Sarah Waddell, Anthony Wise, Robert ReesCommentaires : “State Fair” was Rodgers and Hammerstein’s only film musical, first made in 1945 and then re-made in 1962 with Pat Boone and Ann-Margret. It was first adapted into a stage musical in 1969, and premiered in St Louis, but it was not very well received. Twenty-three years later a completely new stage version was created, using a different combination of songs, and was staged at the 1995 Iowa State Fair. This version opened on Broadway in March 1996, the last show to be produced by the legendary David Merrick. It ran for just 110 performances, and was generally regarded as a piece of old-fashioned nostalgia . This fringe-theatre version was its European premiere and opened to generally positive reviews. Due to popular demand its original closing date of 22 August was extended three weeks to September 12th.Commentaires longs: Les chansons:
(From the film versions): It Might as Well be Spring, Our State Fair, That’s For Me, Isn’t it Kinda Fun?, All I Owe Iowa, It’s a Grand Night For Singing, More Than Just a Friend.
(Re-cycled or cut from other shows ): So Far, Driving by Night (Allegro ), The Man I Used to Be, Next Time it Happens (Pipe Dream ), You Never Had it So Good (Me & Juliet ), When I Go Out Walking with my Baby, Boys and Girls Like You and Me (Oklahoma)Presse : “This is nothing short of a miniature musical miracle.” Mark Shenton, The Stage
“The Finborough is a wonderfully resourceful fringe theatre and somehow creates the feel of what a rather tautological lyric calls “the best state fair in our state”. A dozen cast members even manage to dance energetically in a space designed for a dozen Iowan piglets.” Benedict Nightingale, The Times
“The triumph of Thom Southerland’s production is to telescope this panoramic portrait of a rural family leaving the farm behind for a few days to visit the Iowa State Fair into the smallest, tightest...theatrical space imaginable, yet filling it with teaming life and bursting with irrepressible choreography and lovely, lilting songs, that are...beautifully rendered.” Mark Shenton, The Stage
“Thom Southerland's bouncy and ebullient production, which marks the work's European premiere, it turns out to be akin to a lightweight but equally tuneful Oklahoma!.” Michael Billington, The Guardian
“Anyone wanting the breadth of repertory a national theatre might be expected to provide should travel the West London axis between Richmond and its Orange Tree theatre and the Finborough near Earl’s Court. Both mix eclectic new plays with neglected British and foreign works. And neither lets its miniscule stage space limit ambition.” Timothy Ramsden, Reviewsgate
“There's a plentiful supply of memorable tunes.” Theo Bosanquet, WhatsOnStage
“Whilst State Fair doesn't have a You'll Never Walk Alone or a Shall we Dance, it does have Academy Award-winning It Might As Well Be Spring and more besides, most particularly It's a Grand Night for Singing and All I Owe Ioway which joyously bookend the interval.” Sandra Giorgetti, British Theatre Guide
“Some super tunes. So Far and It’s a Grand Night for Singing are among those that wouldn’t disgrace Oklahoma!.” Benedict Nightingale, The Times
“On the minuscule Finborough stage, with an eye wateringly large cast, the musical’s charms are proudly displayed like the back teeth of a prize hog.” Lucy Powell, Time Out
“Musically it’s meltingly good: comic barbershop numbers, wildly catchy show tunes and ballads that soar.” Lucy Powell, Time Out
“Much heart warming, toe-tapping fun is on offer.” Lucy Powell, Time Out
“In its melodic paean to middle America, I found this infinitely more enjoyable than some of Rodgers and Hammerstein's later, tendentious excursions into east-west politics.” Michael Billington, The Guardian
“As often happens in musicals, pleasure increases in inverse proportion to the size of the space.” Michael Billington, The Guardian
“Director, choreographer, pianist and cast ensure that…this State Fair is far more than a village fete.” Timothy Ramsden, Reviewsgate
“Beautifully handled by actors who are believably wholesome.” Rhoda Koening, The Independent
“The stand-outs being Siôn Lloyd as sheltered farmer's boy Wayne, Laura Main's equally-innocent Margy and Philip Rham as hog-serenading Abel.” Theo Bosanquet, WhatsOnStage
“There is particularly appealing work from the genial Siôn Lloyd and dulcet Laura Main.” Henry Hitchings, Evening Standard
“There’s also seriously good singing from principals that include Laura Main as Margy.” Mark Shenton, The Stage
“Main’s renditions of It Might As Well Be Spring and Next Time It Happens are simply ravishing.” Mark Shenton, The Stage
“Laura Main is sympathetic as Margy, suitably frail and dreamy.” Michael Darvell, Classical Source
“Laura Main is a beautifully yearning Margy Frake.” Lucy Powell, Time Out
“Laura Main, pure and simple as the truth never is, fresh-faced and smiling.” Timothy Ramsden, Reviewsgate
“Laura Main and Siôn Lloyd as the love-smitten Frake siblings, and Sarah Waddell and David Botham as the objects of their desire, perform with great elan.” Michael Billington, The Guardian
“Laura Main is outstanding as Margy Frake.” Robert Shore, Metro
“Robert Rees and Martin McCarthy were particularly engaging.” Johnny Fox, Londonist.com
“There’s particularly eye-catching work from ensemble member Martin McCarthy, who brings a free-wheeling virtuosity to every movement, but particularly a stand-out tap routine.” Mark Shenton, The Stage
“Played engagingly by Gareth Nash.” Sandra Giorgetti, British Theatre Guide
“Philip Rham and Susan Travers, as Ma and Pa, hold the show together with optimism and serenity.” Rhoda Koening, The Independent
“Superbly delivered by Phillip Rham.” Lucy Powell, Time Out
“Philip Rham’s Abel is the evening’s comic mainstay.” Robert Shore, Metro
“Anthony Wise contributes some nice cameos.” Michael Darvell, Classical Source
“Anthony Wise, as the curmudgeon in the apple barrel, provides a touch of tartness.” Rhoda Koening, The Independent
“Thom Southerland has not only mounted a heartfelt, touching revival, he has done so on the handkerchief-size playing area of the Finborough, where he stages a mini-hoedown that raises the roof.” Rhoda Koening, The Independent
“Choreographer Sally Brooks works wonders to ensure that the company execute nifty steps.” Mark Shenton, The Stage
“Some nifty footwork from choreographer Sally Brooks.” Michael Darvell, Classical Source
“Sally Brooks achieves choreographic miracles on a tiny stage, and Magnus Gilljam, as musical director and pianist, allows us to savour the texture of the songs.” Michael Billington, The Guardian
“Sally Brooks performs miracles with group choreography.” Timothy Ramsden, Reviewsgate
“This is the fringe at its best - talent and commitment replace budget, yet nothing feels stinted in Wai Yin Kwok’s clever design, or Magnus Gilljam’s strong musical direction.” Mark Shenton, The Stage
“Musical director Gilljam gets some terrific sounds from the cast and - corny though it may be to say it - it's a grand night for singing!” Sandra Giorgetti, British Theatre Guide
Version 4
State Fair (Scène) (2010-08-Trafalgar Studios 2-London)
Type de série: RevivalThéâtre: Trafalgar Studios (Londres - Angleterre) Salle : Studio 2Durée : 3 semaines Nombre : Première Preview : 03 August 2010
Première: 05 August 2010
Dernière: 28 August 2010Mise en scène : Thom Southerland • Chorégraphie : Sally Brooks • Producteur : Star(s) : Avec: Philip Rham (Abel), Susan Travers (Melissa), Laura Main (Margy), Gareth Nash (Harry), Karl Clarkson (Wayne), Jodie Jacobs (Emily), Stephen McGlynn (Pat), Gemma Boaden , Anthony Wise, Lewis GrantCommentaires : This was the same production that had played the Finborough in 2009, though with several changes of cast, but again with piano-only accompaniment.
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