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Every now and then comes along a Broadway show that takes me by surprise. I go in to the theater wondering how I will feel when I leave and whether I will recommend it to anyone. Will it sweep me up and transport me into another world where I can escape my daily routine and take me to that faraway dreamy place I hope to land whenever I take in a show?
My most recent Broadway experience, Bright Star, did all this but I must admit that it took time to get me there. Written by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, the show is a bit of a surreal piece of fiction based on reality. It has an explosive plot twist at the end of act one that left me reeling in my seat. Prior to that moment, I was ambivalent about the show and where it was taking me. But that one moment changed everything and during act 2, I was completely riveted.
And then I started to realize the power of what was going on before me….the music, the dancing, the talent on that stage. With the book written by Steve Martin and the songs written by Edie Brickell, there are banjos, guitars and violins playing the score, something I may not have been used to at first but I realized at the end that it all worked really, really well and set out to do what it meant to – tell a powerful story that left me and every audience member shedding a tear…or two…or three.
Set in North Carolina between the years of 1923 and 1945-1946, the show revolves around the experiences of two characters, both writers: Carmen Cusack’s Alice Murphy, an editor of a fictionalized magazine, the Asheville Southern Journal, and Billy Cane played by A.J. Shively, a young man back from World War II who dreams of having his stories published in her periodical. Through a series of flashbacks, their lives pivot and come crashing into each other’s and the results are electrifying. Along the way, we are treated with beautiful songs (Brickell’s lyrics are truly beautiful).
The music is played by an onstage bluegrass band conducted by Rob Berman, which brings the show even closer to our hearts with its interactive, up close and personal feel. The cast is also perfection, which aids the play at certain moments but cheers to Cusack who is marvelous – there is no other way to describe her. The set, designed by Eugene Lee, is also pretty spectacular, showcasing a wood cabin on wheels. The result puts audience members directly into the backwoods of North Carolina, a place I must admit I’ve never been to, despite the fact that I’m a Georgia girl.
If you want to see the show, please use this discount code when you book: BSBLOG303. Tickets are as low as $39 for performances thru June 12th here.
Disclosure: I was at the show as press. However, all opinions are my own.
Frequently asked questions
What is Bright Star the musical about?
Bright Star is a 2016 Broadway musical by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell set in 1920s and 1940s North Carolina. The plot follows Alice Murphy, a literary magazine editor whose past is interwoven with the story of a young aspiring writer whose paths cross hers.
Who wrote Bright Star?
Bright Star’s music and book are by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell. Martin co-wrote the book with Brickell, with Brickell handling most of the lyrics. The score features bluegrass and Americana — Martin is an accomplished banjo player and Brickell is a longtime singer-songwriter.
Did Bright Star win any Tony Awards?
Bright Star was nominated for five Tony Awards in 2016 — Best Musical, Best Score, Best Book of a Musical, Best Actress in a Musical (Carmen Cusack), and Best Featured Actor (Stephen Lee Anderson) — but did not win in any category.
Why did Bright Star close so quickly?
Bright Star closed after only 3 months on Broadway in June 2016 despite strong reviews. Industry analysts attributed the short run to the smaller market for bluegrass musicals on Broadway and a difficult financial path competing with bigger productions.
Where can I see Bright Star now?
The original Broadway production is closed, but Bright Star has been licensed for regional and amateur productions and is performed nationally. The original cast recording is available on all major streaming platforms.
Is Bright Star kid-friendly?
Yes for kids ages 10 and up. The story deals with themes of adoption, family separation, and loss, all handled with literary care rather than graphic content. Younger kids may not follow the dual-timeline structure but won’t encounter anything inappropriate.