REVIEW: Bridges of Madison County at Brightside Theatre

"Making his BrightSide debut, Matt Whalen plays Bud with strength, a pleasing vocal styling. . . He spends most of the show playing opposite his two teenage kids (nicely portrayed by Shaina Summerville as Carolyn and Brandon Pisano  as Michael).
​-Colin Douglas, Chicagoland Musical Theatre

However, Whalen’s scenes with his rebellious son and his devoted wife, particularly after returning from Indiana, shows more rage, frustration and suspicion than love. Even before the trip, Bud doesn’t display enough affection for the audience to see why Francesca ever loved him. Bud’s character is obviously written to be in direct contrast to Robert; and caring for his wife and family is something that this Iowa farmer doesn’t quite know how to express. But Bud comes off here as a man in need of anger management counseling. We aren’t sure why Francesca has stayed with him this long or why she doesn’t just run off with Robert, while she has the chance. Whalen needs to tip the scale a bit with a little more love and less anger."