Bright Star
Overflowing with charm, crackling with wit and containing just the right amount of vinegar, Cusack entrances as much with her vocal beauty as with her pungent smart talk.
LA Times
Why see Bright Star?
Steve Martin's BLUEGRASS MUSICAL
The sweet Bluegrass musical which captured Broadway's heart heads out on tour. Written by comedian Steve Martin and multi-Grammy Award-winning songwriter Edie Brickell, Bright Star is a winsome delight of a show, set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Its story centers on a romance between a war veteran and a newspaper editor, who witness their community's long held traditions giving way to modernity. Bursting with fiddles and banjos, Bright Star may have a gentler pace than Broadway's usual blockbusters, but it packs just as powerful a punch.
Bright Star debuted on Broadway in 2016, following try-outs in Washington and San Diego. Praised for its honeyed score, it picked up six Tony Award nominations, including Best Book and Best Original Score.
WHAT IS BRIGHT STAR ABOUT?
Set in the Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina, the musical skips between 1923 and 1945, as young, aspiring writer Billy returns home from the war. Once settled, he meets the brilliant and melancholy Alice Murphy, editor of The Southern Literary Journal. Together, in this sweeping tale of enduring love, they discover a long-hidden secret, that is sure to change their lives forever.
Key Information
Audience
May be inappropriate for children aged 12 and under.
Run Time
Two hours and 30 minutes
Dates
Finished Jul 1, 2018
Cast
Audrey Cardwell as Alice Murphy
David Atkinson as Daddy Cane
Jeff Austin as Mayor Josiah Dobbs
Jeff Blumenkrantz as Daryl Ames
Allison Briner-Dardennne as Mama Murphy
Patrick Cummings as Jimmy Ray Dobbs
Kaitlyn Davidson as Lucy Grant
Henry Gottfried as Billy Cane
Liana Hunt as Margo Crawford
John Leslie Wolfe as Daddy Murphy
Ensemble
Devin Archer, Kelly Baker, Hayden Clifton, Cody Davis, Robin De Lano, David Kirk Grant, Donna Louden, Kevin McMahon, Mary Page Nance, Alessa Neeck, Robert Pieranunzi and Michael Starr
Creative
Music, Lyrics & Book by Steve Martin
Music & Lyrics by Edie Brickell
Choreography by Josh Rhodes
Scenic Design by Eugene Lee
Costume Design by Jane Greenwood
Lighting Design by Japhy Weideman
Sound Design by Nevin Steinberg
Musical Supervision by Peter Asher
Musical Direction & Vocal Arrangements by Rob Berman
Orchestrations by August Eriksmoen
Awards
2016 TONY AWARD NOMINATIONS
Best Musical
Best Book of a Musical
Best Original (Music: Steve Martin and Edie Brickell / Lyrics Edie Brickell)
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play - Carmen Cusack
Best Orchestrations
2016 DRAMA DESK AWARD NOMINATIONS
Outstanding Music - Steve Martin and Edie Brickell
Reviews
Customer reviews
6 reviews, average rating: (4.7 Stars)
L. Bradley
All the emotions
What a fabulous show! Had no idea what the plot
was only that it was set in North Carolina. The music
was amazing – of course I love the instrumental,
Bluegrass, jazzy pieces that make up a great musical.
The characters were on point and you went on the
roller coaster ride with each of them as they brought
you in to their world. I can honestly say that I was
engaged, surprised at times, madder than fire at
times, and cried at the end at the complete surprise
that brought it all together… Looking for extra tickets
to take my daughter ... Read more
Holly
Fabulous, Touching Show
Saw this on Broadway and loved it! We didn't know much about the plot, but figured since it was Steve Martin's show it would be a comedy. We were wrong! That being said, we loved the story-line, the music and how simplistic, but effective the set was. We're thrilled it's coming to Houston and we will have the opportunity to see it again.
... Read more
Quirky Kirky
Five Bright Stars
Extraordinary shining star Carmen Cusack burn blinding bright as Alice Murphy in this uplifting story that brings us through tears to cheers. Foot stomping music, seamless choreography, the audience is fully engaged from overture to postlude in this extraordinary tale of triumph over sorrows and adversity. Loved every second of it. ... Read more
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