Explore this Show

Overview

Synopsis

Originally based on Phil Strong’s novel of the same name, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s State Fair was the only musical they wrote directly for feature film. In 1995, this romantic story set in America’s heartland was adapted for the stage, featuring additional songs from the Rodgers and Hammerstein songbook. State Fair follows the Frake family’s journey from their farm to the three-day 1946 Iowa State Fair. Ma and Pop are intent on winning prizes for their accomplishments in hog raising and mincemeat cooking, while their children Margy and Wayne have romantic adventures ahead of them. As Margy and Wayne find love and heartbreak on the midway, they discover what they find most important and carry home lessons on love and life that will sustain them long after the State Fair. Features an Academy Award-winning score, including the hit song, “It Might as Well Be Spring.”

Show Information

Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1995
Genres
Comedy, Romance
Settings
Multiple Settings
Time & Place
the frake farm, iowa and the iowa state fair / 1946
Cast Size
large
Orchestra Size
Medium
Dancing
Some Dance
Ideal For
Community Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Late Teen, Young Adult, Child Characters, Large Cast

Context


Plot


Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Wayne Frake

Lead

Male

Baritone

Emily Arden

Lead

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Pat Gilbert

Lead

Male

Tenor

Margy Frake

Lead

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Abel Frake

Supporting

Male

Bass

Melissa Frake

Supporting

Female

Alto

Gus

Featured

Male

Dave Miller

Featured

Male

Eleanor

Featured

Female

Spoken

Harry

Featured

Male

Fair Announcer

Featured

Male

The Astounding Stralenko

Featured

Male

Vivian

Featured

Female

Jeanne

Featured

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Charlie

Featured

Male

Lem

Featured

Male

Tenor

Clay

Featured

Male

Bass

Hank Munson

Featured

Male

Tenor

Chief of Police

Featured

Male

Violet

Featured

Female

Judge Heppenstahl

Featured

Male

Mrs. Edwin Metcalf of Pottsville

Featured

Female

The Fairtones

Ensemble

Female

Ensemble

Ensemble

Either Gender

Songs

*before song when it is a dance number, *before character name that only dances in a song that is sung by other characters

Act I

  • Opening—Abel Frake, Melissa Frake and Wayne Frake
  • It Might as Well Be Spring -- Margy Frake
  • Driving at Night/Our State Fair -- Abel Frake, Melissa Frake, Wayne Frake, Margy Frake and Company
  • That's for Me -- Wayne Frake
  • More Than Just a Friend -- Abel Frake, Hank Munson, Lem, and Clay
  • Isn't It Kinda Fun? -- Pat Gilbert and Margy Frake
  • Isn't It Kinda Fun? (Reprise) -- Margy Frake
  • You Never Had It So Good -- Emily Arden and Fairtones
  • It Might as Well Be Spring (Reprise) -- Margy Frake
  • When I Go Out Walking With My Baby -- Abel Frake and Melissa Frake
  • So Far -- Wayne Frake and Emily Arden
  • *It's a Grand Night for Singing -- Company

Act Two

  • Man I Used to Be -- Pat Gilbert, Vivian, and Jeanne
  • *All I Owe Ioway -- Abel Frake and Company
  • Man I Used to Be (Reprise) -- Pat Gilbert
  • *That's the Way It Happens -- Emily Arden and Fairtones
  • *Boys and Girls Like You and Me -- Abel Frake and Melissa Frake
  • Next Time It Happens -- Margy Frake
  • *Finale Ultimo -- Company

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.

Quote Analysis

Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.

Guide Written By: