Bright Star (musical)
| Bright Star | |
|---|---|
 Playbill cover of the original Broadway run | |
| Music |
Steve Martin Edie Brickell |
| Lyrics | Edie Brickell |
| Book | Steve Martin |
| Productions |
2014 San Diego 2015 Washington, D.C. 2016 Broadway |
| Awards |
2016 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music 2016 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Score 2016 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Broadway Musical |
Bright Star is a musical written and composed by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell. It is set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina in 1945-46 with flashbacks to 1923. The musical is inspired by their Grammy-winning collaboration on the 2013 bluegrass album Love Has Come for You.[1]
Productions
Bright Star was workshoped by the New York Stage and Film at the Powerhouse Theater at Vassar College in July 2013.[2][3] It had its world premiere at the Old Globe Theatre (San Diego) on September 28, 2014 and ran to November 2, 2014.[4]
The musical opened at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on December 2, 2015.[5]
The show began previews at the Cort Theatre on Broadway on February 25, 2016 before officially opening on March 24.[6] Directed by Walter Bobbie, the cast features Carmen Cusack as Alice Murphy, Paul Alexander Nolan as Jimmy Ray Dobbs, A.J. Shively as Billy Cane, Hannah Elless as Margo Crawford, Michael Mulheren as Mayor Dobbs, Stephen Bogardus as Billy's father, Dee Hoty as Alice's mother, and Stephen Lee Anderson as Alice's father. Sound design is by Nevin Steinberg, choreography by Josh Rhodes, scenic design by Eugene Lee, costume design by Jane Greenwood and lighting design by Japhy Weideman.[7][8]
Despite support by Martin and Brickell,[9] and occasional appearances by Martin, the musical closed on June 26, 2016 after 30 previews and 109 regular performances.[10]
Plot
Act I
In 1946, editor Alice Murphy greets the audience and tells them that, instead of overseeing other people's stories, she is going to tell her own ("If You Knew My Story"). One year earlier, in the town of Hayes Creek, serviceman and aspiring writer Billy Cane returns home after serving in World War II. He reunites with his father and his childhood friend Margo before learning that his mother has died ("She's Gone"). Several weeks later, Billy visits Margo and tells her he is going to submit his stories to The Asheville Southern Journal ("Bright Star").
Upon arriving at the offices of the Journal, he finds himself rebuffed by employees Darryl and Lucy. However, Alice finds herself charmed by a brazen lie that Billy tells and considers accepting his stories. She later declines Lucy's invitation to a dance, but privately reflects on a time when she would have gone to a dance ("Way Back in the Day").
Flashing back to 1923, a sixteen-year-old Alice flirts with Jimmy Ray Dobbs in her hometown of Zebulon, North Carolina ("Whoa, Mama") When Alice returns home later that night, her parents reprimand her while pondering her unfortunate future. ("Firmer Hand/Do Right") Meanwhile, Jimmy Ray returns home only to be lectured by his father, Mayor Josiah Hobbs, on what the future holds for him ("A Man's Gotta Do").
In 1945, upon receiving encouragement from Alice in the form of a ten dollar check, Billy decides to settle down in Asheville and dedicate his time to writing. Margo reflects that she had other hopes for her future with Billy, but she decides to put her hopes aside and be supportive of his dreams. ("Asheville")
In 1923, Alice and Jimmy Ray make their way to the riverbank and make love ("What Could Be Better"). Sometime later, Alice goes to see the town physician after feeling ill only to learn she is pregnant. Josiah arranges for Alice to stay in a remote cabin for the duration of her pregnancy. She divides her time in isolation by knitting a sweater for the baby and talking about their child with Jimmy Ray when he visits ("I Can't Wait").
Shortly after giving birth to a baby son, Alice and her parents learn that Josiah has secretly put the child up for adoption. Alice tries to make him change his mind, but loses the argument ("Please, Don't Take Him"). Josiah departs with the baby in a valise and boards the train to Hayes Creek before throwing the valise into the river when no one is looking ("A Man's Gotta Do [Reprise]").
Act II
In 1924, Alice prepares to attend college in Chapel Hill and privately yearns to find her son. Meanwhile, in 1945, Margo talks with her friends about how she misses Billy ("Sun Is Gonna Shine"). Back in 1924, Jimmy Ray tells an ailing Josiah that he is going to meet Alice in Chapel Hill. When Josiah confesses what happened to the baby, Jimmy Ray decides to stay with his father after realizing he can't possibly tell Alice the truth ("Heartbreaker").
In 1946, Darryl and Lucy encounter a creatively frustrated Billy while sharing an after-work drink and try to cheer him up ("Another Round"). The next day, Alice tells Billy that one of his stories is set to be published in the Journal. He confesses that he has been writing about Hayes Creek before inviting her to see where his stories take place. She agrees before departing for Raleigh to complete some unfinished business.
In Raleigh, Alice requests permission to look through adoption papers drafted during the period when her son would have been registered. After failing to find what she is looking for, Alice encounters Jimmy Ray and learns about Josiah's actions ("I Had a Vision"). Back in Hayes Creek, Billy tells Margo that he's moving back home before realizing that she's the girl for him ("Always Will").
In Zebulon, Alice reconciles with her father after he apologizes for allowing Josiah to take the baby away from her. Not wanting to continue his distress any longer, she tells him the child was adopted by a good family and is living a successful life. She makes her way to Hayes Creek and sees Billy's childhood home where she discovers the baby sweater she sent with her son, discovering that she is Billy's birth mother ("So Familiar/At Long Last"). A few weeks later, everyone involved assembles in Asheville and gets a happy ending ("Finale").
Songs
|
Act I
|
Act II
|
All songs contain music by Martin and Brickell with lyrics by Brickell except "Way Back in the Day" and "At Long Last" by Edie Brickell and "Bright Star" with ensemble lyrics by Martin. "Way Back in the Day", "I Can't Wait", "Heartbreaker", "Another Round", "I Had a Vision", "Always Will" and "So Familiar" all were included on the album "So Familiar". "Asheville" and "Sun's Gonna Shine" both originated from the album "Love Has Come for You".
Principal roles and original casts
| Character | Old Globe San Diego Cast | Kennedy Center Cast | Original Broadway Cast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alice Murphy | Carmen Cusack | ||
| Billy Cane | A.J. Shively | ||
| Mayor Josiah Dobbs | Wayne Duvall | Michael Mulheren | |
| Jimmy Ray Dobbs | Wayne Alan Wilcox | Paul Alexander Nolan | |
| Margo Crawford | Hannah Elless | ||
| Daddy Cane | Stephen Bogardus | ||
| Mama Murphy | Patti Cohenour | Dee Hoty | |
| Daddy Murphy | Stephen Lee Anderson | ||
| Dora Murphy | Libby Winters | Does not appear | |
| Lucy Grant | Kate Loprest | Emily Padgett | |
| Darryl Ames | Jeff Hiller | Jeff Blumenkrantz | |
Reception
San Diego
Charles Isherwood of The New York Times wrote that, "The shining achievement of the musical is its winsome country and bluegrass score, with music by Mr. Martin and Ms. Brickell, and lyrics by Ms. Brickell. The complicated plot, divided between two love stories that turn out to have an unusual connection, threatens to get a little too diffuse and unravel like a ball of yarn rolling off a knitter’s lap. But the songs — yearning ballads and square-dance romps rich with fiddle, piano and banjo, beautifully played by a nine-person band — provide a buoyancy that keeps the momentum from stalling."[11] Bob Verini of Variety praised the music, but felt that, "characterizations are distinctly undercooked. Guileless Billy seems untouched by wartime service, too callow to craft greeting cards let alone the 'sweeping tale of pain and redemption' Alice unaccountably expects of him", and the show could benefit with higher stakes in its drama.[12]
Broadway
The Broadway production received fairly positive reviews. Elysa Gardner, in her review in USA Today, wrote: "...Martin, a master ironist, captures some of that old-school spirit with a book that's as forthright as it is smart, funny and charming....Martin and Brickell refuse to condescend to their own characters, from the small-townspeople Billy grows up with to the wry, knowing employees at Alice's highly regarded journal in the city of Asheville....The tone in which that story is delivered can also wobble a bit, especially later on, when what seems destined to be a majestic, Hammerstein-esque resolution is mitigated by zany musical-comedy flourishes. Still, in what may well prove to be the richest Broadway season for new musicals in decades, this gently shining Star holds its own."[13]
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Tony Award[14] | Best Musical | Nominated | |
| Best Book of a Musical | Steve Martin | Nominated | ||
| Best Original Score | Steve Martin and Edie Brickell | Nominated | ||
| Best Actress in a Musical | Carmen Cusack | Nominated | ||
| Best Orchestrations | August Eriksmoen | Nominated | ||
| Drama Desk Award[15] | Outstanding Actress in a Musical | Carmen Cusack | Nominated | |
| Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | Paul Alexander Nolan | Nominated | ||
| A.J. Shively | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Music | Steve Martin and Edie Brickell | Won | ||
| Outstanding Orchestrations | August Eriksmoen | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Costume Design for a Musical | Jane Greenwood | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical | Nevin Steinberg | Nominated | ||
| Drama League Award | Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical | Nominated | ||
| Distinguished Performance | Carmen Cusack | Nominated | ||
| Theatre World Awards | Outstanding Debut Performance | Won | ||
| Outer Critics Circle Award | Outstanding New Broadway Musical | Won | ||
| Outstanding Book of a Musical | Steve Martin | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding New Score | Steve Martin and Edie Brickell | Won | ||
| Outstanding Choreographer | Josh Rhodes | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Actress in a Musical | Carmen Cusack | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Costume Design | Jane Greenwood | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Director of a Musical | Walter Bobbie | Nominated | ||
| Fred and Adele Astaire Awards | Best Choreographer | Josh Rhodes | Nominated | |
| Outstanding Ensemble in a Broadway Show | Nominated | |||
References
- ↑ Pearson, Vince. "Edie Brickell, Steve Martin Broadway Bound With 'Bright Star'". NPR. NPR. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
- ↑ "'Bright Star' Program" Archived December 12, 2014, at the Wayback Machine., TheOldGlobe.org, accessed February 26, 2016
- ↑ Hetrick, Adam. "Steve Martin-Edie Brickell Musical 'Bright Star' Premieres at Vassar", Playbill, July 12, 2013
- ↑ Purcell, Carey. "World Premiere of 'Bright Star' Musical, by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Opens at Old Globe Tonight", Playbill, September 28, 2014
- ↑ Pierpont, Katie. "Bright Star Begins Limited Pre-Broadway Engagement". Theater Mania. Theater Mania. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
- ↑ Gans, Andrew. "Steve Martin's 'Bright Star' Begins Broadway Previews Today", Playbill, February 25, 2016
- ↑ "'Bright Star' Broadway", Playbill, accessed February 26, 2016
- ↑ Viagas, Robert. "The Verdict: Did the Sun Shine on Steve Martin's Bright Star's Broadway Opening?", Playbill, March 24, 2016
- ↑ Riedel, Michael (31 March 2016). "Steve Martin is spending his own money to save 'Bright Star'". New York Post. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ↑ Gans, Andrew. " 'Bright Star' Plays Final Broadway Performance Today" Playbill, June 26, 2016
- ↑ Isherwood, Charles. "Review", The New York Times, September 30, 2014
- ↑ Verini, Bob. "San Diego Theater Review: Steve Martin and Edie Brickell’s ‘Bright Star’, Variety, September 29, 2014
- ↑ Gardner, Elysa. "Steve Martin and Edie Brickell's 'Bright Star' shimmers on Broadway" USA Today, March 24, 2016
- ↑ "See Full List of 2016 Tony Award Nominations", Playbill, May 3, 2016
- ↑ Viagas, Robert. "'She Loves Me' Leads Drama Desk Nominations, Playbill, April 28, 2016