We’re so excited to welcome you to the journey of this heartwarming, toe-tapping musical that brings the magic of an Iowa summer to the stage! 🌽🎶 Whether you’re a seasoned performer or making your stage debut, we’d love for you to join us and help make this nostalgic story shine.
We know there’s a big stretch of time between auditions and opening night, but don’t be afraid! We’ve designed the rehearsal schedule with everyone’s summer in mind. Our goal is to create a supportive, flexible environment that lets you be part of something magical without giving up those long summer nights and family trips. We want this to be a fun, fulfilling experience for everyone!
Book by Tom Briggs and Louis Mattioli | Music by Richard Rodgers | Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Based on the novel by Phil Stong and the 1933 and 1945 films
Set in the American Midwest in the late summer of 1946, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s State Fair follows the Frake family as they leave behind their routine farm life for three exciting days at the Iowa State Fair. The musical weaves together themes of hope, change, and self-discovery, capturing the charm of small-town America and the thrill of new experiences.
Act I:
The show opens on the Frake family farm in Iowa. Patriarch Abel Frake is determined that his prize hog, Blue Boy, will win the blue ribbon at the fair, while matriarch Melissa Frake pins her hopes on her pickles and mincemeat. Their teenage children, Margy and Wayne, however, are far less excited by livestock and preserves; they yearn for something more—a break from the monotony and the possibility of love and adventure.
As the family arrives at the bustling state fairgrounds, their separate paths begin to unfold. Margy, engaged to the predictable and uninspiring Harry, meets Pat Gilbert, a charming newspaper reporter covering the fair. Pat is worldly and ambitious, and Margy quickly finds herself drawn to his sophisticated air and spontaneous spirit.
Meanwhile, Wayne meets Emily Arden, a vivacious and alluring singer performing at the fair. Despite his recent heartbreak, Wayne is captivated by her confidence and glamour. As they spend time together, he begins to envision a future far beyond the farm.
Act II:
With the fair in full swing, the characters are swept up in a whirlwind of contests, performances, and unexpected encounters. Melissa’s preserves earn high praise, and Abel faces stiff competition in the livestock ring. Both parents remain unaware that their children are undergoing personal transformations—falling in love, wrestling with decisions about their futures, and discovering the bittersweet nature of growing up.
Wayne and Emily share a tender connection, but complications arise when Wayne learns about Emily’s career-driven lifestyle and ambiguous romantic past. Similarly, Margy is enchanted by Pat, but must come to terms with the uncertainty of his intentions and his life on the road.
As the fair draws to a close, both Margy and Wayne face pivotal choices. Margy must choose between the safe but dull life with Harry or taking a leap with Pat. Wayne, heartbroken after Emily’s abrupt departure, returns home wiser and more mature.
In the end, Pat returns unexpectedly, declaring his feelings for Margy and asking her to take a chance on a life together. Abel’s hog wins the grand prize, and Melissa’s cooking is recognized, but the greatest rewards are emotional rather than physical. The Frakes leave the fair not just with ribbons, but with renewed dreams, new love, and a deeper understanding of themselves.
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State Fair is unique among Rodgers and Hammerstein’s works as it was originally conceived as a film before being adapted for the stage. The show blends romantic optimism with nostalgic Americana, featuring a vibrant score that includes “It Might As Well Be Spring,” “It’s a Grand Night for Singing,” and “All I Owe Ioway.” The musical reflects post-War American values—familial pride, individual aspirations, and the tension between tradition and progress.
Staged as a full-scale production, a charming ensemble show, State Fair offers humor, heart, and humanity in a celebration of life’s simple pleasures and transformative moments.
