State Fair

    

Our State Fair is a Great State Fair!

    This week's blog post will be a little bit different. The musical review will be about State Fair, but not at the Broadway level. My owner, Grace, landed a role in the production when her local community theatre performed this show in the summer of 2019. This review will be pretty light-hearted, and won't focus on the talents of local actors or have my typical ratings, but will focus more on the events of the show. I'll include some facts about different productions, but for the most part this post will be about the local community show. Grace talked to me about her personal experience, so I'll also include some parts of that interview. 

    State Fair tells the story of the Frake family, a classic American family living in Iowa, 1946. They travel to the Iowa State Fair, and each family member has their own problems and events to deal with before returning home the following week. Let's jump right in to learning about State Fair! 

History

    State Fair began as a novel released in 1932, and was adapted to a film the following year. The film was remade in 1962, and remade again in 1976. Musical and stage adaptations began in 1969, but didn't make its Broadway debut until 1996. The musical also appeared on West End 2010 for a limited run. 

Who's in the Cast?

    Recognition for local actors! Abel Frake was played by Andrew Anderson, and Melissa Griffith played Abel's wife, Melissa. Their children, Wayne and Margy Frake, were played by Jareth Cross and my owner, Grace, respectively. Emily Arden was portrayed by Christie Ness. Luke Zacharias played reporter Pat Gilbert, and Alex Dietrich Johnson played his partner, Charlie. Emma Barclay played dual roles of Wayne's girlfriend Eleanor and a Fairtone dancer. Likewise, Logan Petersen also played dual roles, as Margy's boyfriend Harry and a Fairtone dancer. 

Overview

     It's 1946 in Brunswick, Iowa. The Frake family is packing for their trip to the Iowa State Fair. Abel Frake is hoping that his prized pig, Blue Boy, will win the livestock sweepstakes. Melissa Frake is hoping that her pickles and mincemeat will win the blue ribbon in the cooking competitions. Their son Wayne is practicing throwing hoops, hoping to win prizes at the Fair games (Opening). Wayne's girlfriend Eleanor tells him she won't be able to go to the Fair with him, because she was accepted into college and is leaving right away, which makes Wayne sad. The Frake's neighbor, Dave Miller, bets $5 with Abel that something will go wrong at the Fair; that they're too hopeful. Meanwhile, Melissa is packing her sour pickles with Margy, who is upset and can't figure out why (It Might as Well be Spring). Margy's boyfriend Harry arrives and proposes, but Margy hesitantly tells him she won't give him an answer until she returns from the Fair. It is clear that a marriage to Harry is not something she desires. The family leaves for the Fair, which is alive with action (Driving at Night/Our State Fair). 

    Wayne immediately tries to win at the ring-toss Fair game, but is hustled by a game attendant. A beautiful woman jumps to his aid, and Wayne is smitten, but she leaves before he even knows her name (That's For Me). Meanwhile, Abel meets up with his farmer friends, who compare and praise each other's livestock (More Than Just a Friend). Margy is exploring the Fair, and runs into reporter Pat Gilbert and his photographer Charlie. Margy remains aloof, but Pat attempts to win her affection despite rejection. Margy sways and begins to fall for him, and although they say that what they have is light-hearted, there's something more between them (Isn't It Kinda Fun?).

    That evening, Wayne attends a performance in the Starlight Dance Meadow, and the lead singer is the woman who defended him earlier that day. Her name is Emily Arden, and she has big dreams to be a star on Broadway. She performs with backup dancers known as the Fairtones; it's clear she is talented (You Never Had it So Good). Wayne asks her out and buys her a drink, and she agrees to pass time with him during the remainder of the Fair, so long as when the Fair ends, their relationship does too. Wayne agrees to the terms. 

    In the morning, Margy is doing chores with her mother, who is pressing her about her relationship with Harry. Margy complains that it just doesn't feel right (It Might as Well be Spring (Reprise)). Abel is looking forward to winning the livestock sweepstakes, and promises his family they'll have lots of fun that evening (When I Go Out Walking with my Baby). Later that day, the family attends the cooking competition to watch Melissa's pickles and mincemeat as they're judged. Melissa is worried about her mincemeat, which loses every year to another woman, however, unknown to Melissa, Abel heavily spiked her mincemeat with brandy. The judges are sent into a deep, drunken state, and Melissa wins the mincemeat competition, and a plaque deeming her food the best the Fair has ever seen. The Frake family is thrilled. Pat and Charlie are there to report on the event, and Charlie snaps a picture for the newspaper. 

    Wayne meets up with Emily later that night, and he presses her for more out of their whirlwind relationship, but she is reluctant (So Far). That night, at the Starlight Dance Meadow, many fairgoers are having a dance. Melissa happily dances with Abel, and Emily dances with Wayne. Margy is dancing with Pat, and the two share a kiss, right as Harry arrives at the Fair to surprise Margy (A Grand Night for Singing).

    After that cliffhanger, Act II begins with Margy further pushing Harry away and growing more in love with Pat, sneaking around for meet-ups and kisses. Pat runs into two Fair dancers that he used to have an affair with, and reflects on how his time with Margy has changed him from how he used to act in the past (The Man I Used to Be). Meanwhile, Blue Boy was declared to be the winner of the livestock sweepstakes, and Abel is overjoyed once again, starting a huge celebration with fairgoers (All I Owe Ioway). Charlie again captures this happy event for the Frake family, and tells Pat that Pat has received a major job promotion in Chicago, however, he would have to take the train right away or he'll lose the opportunity. Pat is torn, but decides to leave right before he was scheduled to meet with Margy (The Man I Used to Be ((Reprise)). Margy is left waiting for Pat on a bench, not knowing he has left the Fair (Isn't It Kinda Fun? (Reprise)). 

    Wayne watches Emily in her final performance at the Fair (That's the Way It Happens). Wayne tells her how in love he is with her, but she rejects him, telling him that she's married and that their relationship has to end that night. Wayne is heartbroken, and watches her leave. At their campsite, Abel and Melissa are celebrating their wins together. Melissa reveals she is worried about their kids growing up, but Abel comforts her (Boys and Girls Like You and Me). As it is the last night of the Fair, many of the attractions are being taken down. Margy has waited all night on the bench for Pat to appear, and realizes he's not going to show up. She scolds herself for falling in love so easily, and vows to protect her heart better should she ever fall in love again (The Next Time It Happens). Harry finally tracks her down, and presses her for her answer to his proposal, and with a heavy heart, she declines. Harry finally gets the hint and realizes she doesn't love him. Margy and Harry both leave the Fair with broken hearts.

    Arriving home from the Fair, the Frake family finds pictures of their achievements and praises of their "all-American" family in their newspaper, with extra emphasis on Margy, thanks to Pat's efforts. All of the Frake family are thrilled, except for Margy, who is upset that Pat had the nerve to ditch her and then flatter her. Wayne enters with Eleanor, who returned from college, and the two reveal that they are engaged to be married. Dave Miller arrives, demanding that Abel pay him $5 from their bet before the Fair. Abel refuses to pay, saying that the bet was about the happiness of the family, and since all of his family members are happy, he shouldn't have to pay. Dave spies an unhappy Margy, and questions her about her time at the Fair. They are all shocked when Pat runs onto the Frake farm, apologizing to Margy for leaving her without warning, but telling her that he landed a real job with the Chicago Tribune, and that he can now provide a life for her. He proposes to her, and Margy happily accepts. Grudingly, Dave hands a smiling Abel $5. 

Thoughts

    What a fun show! It's certainly more light-hearted than other musicals I've discussed in the past. It's a wholesome show for all age ranges. From the amusing prospects of winning a livestock or mincemeat contest, to uplifting family interactions, to the trials of heartbreak and love, State Fair has it all. I will admit, I have not seen any of the film versions, so all of my knowledge comes from Grace's experience. Let's hear from her!

    Hercules: So! Let's get right into it. How did you feel when you were cast as Margy Frake?

    

    Grace: I was so excited. The summer before, I had been in Beauty and the Beast, and since then I had really wanted to be a part of a musical again. I couldn't believe it when I was cast as a major character. 

    

    Hercules: How demanding was the role?

   

    Grace: I had to work on two solos, which I practiced hard to have them sound the way I thought Margy would sing them. I also had to learn several dances, and that took a lot of practice. Learning the lines became easier as I started to understand Margy's character more and more throughout rehearsals.

    

    Hercules: How nervous were you for such a role?

    

    Grace: I was really nervous, but at the same time, I was having so much fun and was so excited to perform. All of my castmates were so talented, and it really pushed me to do my best every time. 

    

    Hercules: What was your favorite moment as Margy? And of the show?

    

    Grace: It's so hard to chose just one moment! A funny instance happens when Margy and Wayne are first touring the Fair. There's a teasing conversation between Margy and Wayne, and although it's not a huge or significant part of the story, I remember how fun and natural it felt to joke around onstage, and I won't forget that. I also loved Margy and Pat's "first date," where they sing a song and dance together. It was so much fun. One of my favorite parts of the show is when Melissa Frake wins the mincemeat contest with her spiked dish. The scene was absolutely hilarious and so fun to perform. 

    

    Hercules: That sounds so fun! What were your overall thoughts about your production?

    

    Grace: It was so much fun. Being onstage with my new community friends and putting on such a fun show was truly incredible. I remember feeling really upset for at least a week when the show was over, because I missed my castmates and being on a stage so badly. I still find myself singing songs from the show, and I know I won't forget about that incredible experience anytime soon. 

    

    Hercules: I love that. Thank you so much for telling me more about your experience!

    

    Grace: And thank you for asking me!

    What a fun interview! Also, Grace asked me to give a special shoutout to the pit orchestra of the production. Her sister Abigail and her mother Aimee both played instruments in the orchestra. Abigail played the alto and tenor saxophones, and Aimee played the flute and the alto saxophone as well. Grace praised the pit. Personally, I don't think pit orchestras ever get enough recognition. The show would not be possible without them! A big thank you to Abigail and Aimee, from both Grace and myself.