State Fair
Music by Richard Rodgers. Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Book by Tom Briggs and Louis Mattioli. Based on the novel by Phil Stong and the screenplay by Oscar Hammerstein II.
Music by Richard Rodgers. Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Book by Tom Briggs and Louis Mattioli. Based on the novel by Phil Stong and the screenplay by Oscar Hammerstein II.
State Fair is a musical that tells the heartwarming story of the Frake family as they experience love, heartbreak, and competition at the Iowa State Fair.
About The Play
About The Play
TIME OUT AND SUNDAY TIMES CRITICS’ CHOICE
★★★★ Four Stars, The Guardian
★★★★ Four Stars, Time Out
This production subsequently transferred to the West End
where it played at Trafalgar Studios 2, Whitehall, London SW1A 2DY, from 3 August – 11 September 2010 (run extended) with the following cast:
Directed by Thom Southerland
Musical Direction by Magnus Gilljam
Choreography by Sally Brooks.
Designed by Philippa Mumford
Lighting Design by Howard Hudson and Mike Robertson
Cast includes Gemma Boaden. Karl Clarkson. Lewis Grant. Jodie Jacobs. Michael Kent. Robine Landi. Laura Main. Gillian McCafferty. Stephen McGlynn. Helen Phillips. Phillip Rham. Susan Travers. Richard Vincent. Anthony Wise.
Acclaimed young musical theatre director Thom Southerland makes his Finborough Theatre debut with the long-awaited European professional premiere of the classic film and Broadway musical, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s State Fair.
Set against the colourful backdrop of an American heartland tradition, State Fair travels with the Frake family as they leave behind the routine of the farm for three days of adventure at the 1946 annual Iowa State Fair. Mom and Pop have their hearts set on winning blue ribbons for best boar and best homemade mincemeat, whilst their daughter and son find both love and heartbreak in the romance of the busy fairground. The Academy Award winning score including such Rodgers and Hammerstein classics as It Might as Well Be Spring and It’s a Grand Night for Singing.
Based on the 1945 and 1962 films with additional songs that were either featured in, or cut from, other Rodgers and Hammerstein shows including Oklahoma!, Pipe Dream, Allegro and Me and Juliet, the stage version opened on Broadway in 1996 where it received four Tony nominations (including Best Original Score).