Guest director Tony Humrichouser is directing Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein’s “State Fair”, and Wagon Wheel veteran actor Andy Robinson said Humrichouser does old shows like “State Fair” well. “He understands the way they told a story, the period style. I think the show is really optimistic about the American family’s ability to triumph,” Robinson said. In the Wagon Wheel production of “State Fair”, Robinson plays Abel Frake, the father. Abel is married to Melissa, played by Sophie Grimm, and they have two children. Stephen Anthony plays the son, Wayne, and Alex Finke plays the daughter, Margy. The story is set on a very typical family farm in Brunswick, Iowa, in 1946. The Frake family travels to Des Moines for the state fair. “The way the story is told has such a nostalgia for that world. The company all has talked about falling in love with the show,” Robinson said. There are four story lines in the musical, Robinson said. Abel and Melissa are competing in old-time gender categories at the fair and hope to win. Abel is competing with his hog Blue Boy, and Melissa is competing in cooking categories. Meanwhile, Wayne and Margy are in flux, questioning their relationships back home. Spending time at the state fair helps the two young adults clarify those relationships, Robinson said. Robinson grew up in Sedalia, Mo., the town where the state fair was held every year. “It was a big deal in town,” he said. “My dad was the Chrysler dealer, and he would have a big tent where he would show off the newest car.” Robinson now lives in Chicago year-round. He directs musical theater at the Chicago Academy of the Arts. “I love coming to Warsaw in the summer whether I’m in a show or directing or directing the children’s show,” Robinson said. “I always go to the fair, ride the rides, eat the food.” He went to college in Memphis, then moved to New York before then moving to Chicago. Being in Warsaw, he said, reminds him of growing up in Missouri. With “State Fair” opening just days before the Kosciusko County fair, Robinson said he hopes people will think about fairs and how they are the cornerstone of America. After Rodgers and Hammerstein wrote “Oklahoma!” in 1943, that show revolutionized musical theater because it integrated the songs into the shows. “Oklahoma!” also was incredibly popular, Robinson said. Hollywood beckoned for Rodgers and Hammerstein to turn the optimistic story into a film, but the two men were weary of doing that. However, they came up with “State Fair”. It was the only show Rodgers and Hammerstein wrote directly for film. It was not until 1996 that it was adapted for the stage, and it was adapted to commemorate the anniversary of the Iowa State Fair. “The musical was more faithful to the novel than the first film,” Robinson said. A total of three “State Fair” films were made. The original novel was written by Phil Strong. Because “State Fair” was not adapted for the stage until about 50 years after it was originally written, Robinson said it’s not as well known as shows like “The Sound of Music”. “In a lot of ways, it’s a simpler story. The family goes to the fair and then come home from the fair a little changed,” he said. Part of the story in “State Fair”, Robinson said, is that country folk go to town. Margy and Wayne meet more “sophisticated” people at the fair, he said. “I think what it says, at this time in history, country folks were grounded in a way that they can experience the city and be changed, but not shaken,” Robinson said. “The city isn’t bad, it’s just different.” As for the music in the show, Robinson said, “It’s just gorgeous. Beautiful ensemble numbers. This company is the most talented in terms of singing.” “State Fair” also features some beautiful ballads and love songs. There are three different groups in the show where guys are singing in close harmony, Robinson said. There’s a barbershop quartet, a jazz quartet and a jazz trio. “I love those kind of harmonies. For me, it’s a lot of fun,” he said. “The show really showcases the collaboration of the design teams, and between the set design, costume design and prop design, there’s a real emphasize on authenticity. (Costume designer) Stephen Hollenbeck uses completely vintage dress designs from that period,” Robinson said. He said Jennifer Dow’s wig designs are great, and he is in awe of her off and on the stage. Her design station has a whole series of visual references from the time period for her to use to fashion the wigs. Besides a guest director, “State Fair” also has a guest choreographer. Robinson said that when Margy and the reporter meet, they dance reminiscent of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Mike Higgins designed the set for “State Fair”. One of the challenges for the Wagon Wheel show, Robinson said, is it starts at a farmhouse for a couple of scenes, moves to the state fair and then returns to the farm. “For us, it’s going to be a very cool special effect,” he said.Robinson has spent eight summers at the Wagon Wheel and in Warsaw. After “State Fair”, audiences also will see him in “Big River”. He also is directing the middle school and high school performance of “Into the Woods” July 30 at 1 p.m. at the Wagon Wheel. “State Fair” is at the Wagon Wheel now through July 16. Adult tickets are $30 for all shows; tickets for students 13 through college are $16, and children 12 and under are $12. Special rates are available for groups of 15 or more. To order tickets or for more information, call the box office at 574-267-8041 or visit the Wagon Wheel website at wagonwheeltheatre.com
