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
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 Nov 19, 2017
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)
Pat Geffner
I was totally moved.
Carmen Cusack was utterly perfect for this sort of blue grass/ country
and western musical. Her voice and the music totally moved me to
tears and joy. I hadn’t heard about this show; we just went because it
was on our subscription. But it totally knocked me off my feet which
were still tapping to the music as we left the cheering audience out of
the theater. ... Read more
J. Purins
Inventive staging & strong cast enliven trite story
Comparing the Ahmanson staging to the NY
production I saw 18 months ago, it’s largely the
same cast including lead Carmen Cusack who
has gained more command of the stage so that
it has become her character’s story whereas in
NY she almost blended in to the ensemble. The
music is tuneful and fun, and if the story line is
predictable it is leavened by some very funny
lines as well as heartfelt emotions. The staging
and choreography are very inventive and
theatrical, with actors rearranging the scenic
props and creating atmosphere as in Hamilton.
Probably the biggest difference is in watching
this story of kindness, forgiveness and
redemption during our current political climate
when those themes take on a new importance
and relevance.
There isn’t any cursing but there is an
extremely emotional scene dealing with child
abandonment that may disturb some children.
Other than that, it’s enjoyable for all.
Tip: For intermission drinks, go to the bar
outside on patio - much shorter line. ... Read more
Andrea Giambrone
A bright light in theatre
For starters, ignore Charles McNulty's curmudgeonly review of this show in the L.A. Times. He does it an annoying disservice. "Bright Star" shines brightly as a charming piece of folklore, an oh so lovely presentation of lives intertwining in unexpected, if unlikely, ways. Bluegrass music, it turns out, is a joy. The audience found itself - me included - clapping its hands and having a fine time of it. The performances are wonderful, anchored by the superb Carmen Cusack: herself a very bright star. Prepare to leave the theatre delighted that you decided to brighten your day by getting tickets to this refreshingly old-fashioned - happy ending and all - bright light of a show. ... Read more
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