Jenna Russell to star in The Bridges of Madison County at the Menier Chocolate Factory

Jenna Russell is set to lead the cast of the UK premiere of Jason Robert Brown's The Bridges of Madison County, which opens at the Menier Chocolate Factory in July.

With a book by Marsha Norman, the musical is based on the best-selling novel by Robert James Waller which is about an Italian immigrant housewife living on a farm in the American Midwest, when she meets a photographer on an assignment to film bridges in the area.

The musical ran on Broadway in 2014 starring Kelli O'Hara, and won Tony Awards including best original score and best orchestrations.

In the UK premiere production, Francesca will be played by Russell, who has previously appeared at the Menier in Merrily We Roll Along, and Sunday in the Park with George - both of which transferred to the West End with Russell receiving Olivier Award nominations, winning for the latter.

Her other theatre work includes Fun Home at the Young Vic, Doctor Faustus at the Duke of York's Theatre and Guys and Dolls at the Piccadilly Theatre.

Directed by Trevor Nunn, whose recent production of Fiddler on the Roof at the Menier is currently playing at the West End's Playhouse Theatre, The Bridges of Madison County runs from 13^th July to 14^th September.

The creative team includes designer Jon Bausor, lighting designer Tim Lutkin, sound designer Gregory Clarke, and musical supervision by Tom Murray.

The Bridges of Madison County is at the Menier Chocolate Factory from 13^th July.  

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