The Ride Of His Life ‘State Fair’ And John Davidson Prove To Be A Blud-Ribbon Pairing

John Davidson has hosted his own TV variety show, recorded 12 albums and starred in movies and sitcoms.

So, how does it feel to play a middle-aged farmer obsessed with a pig?

You might say he’s in hog heaven.

“It feels great,” said Davidson, who stars in the national tour of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “State Fair.” “I don’t have to try to be so perfect. When you’re the romantic leading guy, it can be boring - a guy who falls in love with a girl and that’s about it. But in this, I’m obsessed, and whenever you’re obsessed it makes good theater.”

In the role of Iowa farmer Abel Frake, Davidson is plowing entirely different ground than when he first burst onto the scene in the ‘60s and ‘70s as the handsome boy-next-door leading man.

“This is the first time that I’ve played something other than the romantic lead,” said Davidson. “I’m 56 years old now, and it’s a great transition for me to let my gray hair grow out, stop dyeing my hair, and start playing my age.”

“State Fair” is an ideal vehicle for the new, mature John Davidson. Abel Frake is the hog-loving dad of an Iowa farm family. They embark on a grand adventure - a trip to the 1946 Iowa State Fair - and it changes their lives. The show is funny, nostalgic and full of familiar tunes.

Many people might remember the three movie versions of “State Fair,” the first being a non-musical in 1933 starring Will Rogers. Then in 1945, Rodgers and Hammerstein were recruited to write songs for another film version starring Charles Winninger, Jeanne Crain, Dana Andrews and Vivian Blaine. Finally, Pat Boone, Ann-Margret and Bobby Darin remade it in 1962.

It never was a stage musical - at least, not until 1995 when this version was conceived. An entirely new book was written, and a half-dozen or so “new” songs were added.

“You see, the movie only had six or seven songs in it,” said Davidson. “So they had to cull from the Rodgers and Hammerstein library. So they’ve taken a number of songs from lesser-known musicals, and they work beautifully.”

One of Davidson’s favorites is a song called “So Far,” which came from “Pipe Dream,” a Rodgers and Hammerstein also-ran. Many people will be familiar with some of the original “State Fair” songs, especially, “It’s a Grand Night for Singing” and “It Might As Well Be Spring,” which begins “I’m as restless as a willow in a windstorm.”

This new version of “State Fair” has proven to be a well-loved success all over the country. The only place it was less than a success was Broadway.

“It was there for about four months, and I’m sure the producers lost money,” said Davidson. “It takes years to get your money back on Broadway, the costs in New York are so extravagant. We came in to Broadway the same year (1996) as ‘Rent’ and ‘Bring In Da Noise, Bring In Da Funk.’ ‘Rent’ is about street people, and ‘State Fair’ is very much about people who live in houses. We really didn’t fit into the Broadway scene that year.”

Yet the show was well-received on its pre-Broadway tour, and is doing even better on its 36-week post-Broadway tour, which is at about the halfway mark.

This tour features the same production values as the Broadway show, said Davidson. It has the original Broadway sets and costumes, and an all-Equity cast. Davidson is the only cast member who has remained with the show since its Broadway run. He called the cast “young and energetic.”

In Davidson’s opinion, this show is better in many ways than some of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s more celebrated musicals.

“It was the second show Rodgers and Hammerstein wrote after ‘Oklahoma!’ and the difference is day and night,” said Davidson. “‘Oklahoma!’ appears very simple. This show has a better story, and you get involved with this family. It’s more real.”

Davidson is probably best known for hosting “Hollywood Squares” on TV, which he took over in 1986. Yet theater has always been his first love. He made his Broadway debut in 1964 playing Bert Lahr’s son in “Foxy” and then starred in the 1965 revival of “Carousel.”

Next up for Davidson: a stint as Will Rogers in “Will Rogers Follies” and then a show called “Bully,” in which Davidson will play Theodore Roosevelt.

“I still love stage the best,” said Davidson. “It gives me a chance to play a president.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: “State Fair” opens Monday and continues Tuesday, Wednesday and Jan. 29 at the Spokane Opera House, with curtain at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $39 and $36, available at G&B Select-a-Seat outlets or call (800) 325-SEAT.