Bright Star Tickets

“Bright Star” To Shine Upon Kennedy Center, Followed By A Broadway Run

Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theater will host a few performances of the new musical Bright Star before it heads to Cort Theatre on Broadway. Mixing literary culture with Southern musical roots, the musical thrives on Americana and bluegrass genre, offering the audience a plot that’s laced with bittersweet sensibility.

Set in North Carolina, Bright Star moves back and forth between the 1920s and mid 40s, revolving around the main characters Alice Murphy and Billy Cane. Murphy is the editor of a magazine and is quite ambitious, whereas Cane returned home after fighting in World War II and aspires to have his stories published in Murphy’s esteemed magazine. Through several flashbacks, the back-story of Alice is established and why she became so cold and stern. The audience is taken back to her teenage years when she was in a relationship with a boy named Jimmy Ray Dobbs played by Paul Alexander Nolan. His father Mayor Josiah Dobbs (Michael Mulheren) didn’t approve of the love affair and things take an ugly turn when he learns about Alice’s pregnancy. He succeeds in separating the lovers and comes up with an appalling plan – that must remain a mystery until you watch the musical yourself with your Bright Star tickets.

Following the horrid events, the musical once again picks up in the 40s and with the support of Cane, Murphy finds the courage to confront her past. A long buried secret is discovered by the two that will change their lives forever.

“Bright Star” Shines With A Winsome Bluegrass & Country Score

Featuring lush chords, yearning ballads and foot-tapping liveliness, Steve Martin and Edie Brickell have done an incredible job with the musical’s score. A live onstage band is conducted by Rob Berman and the songs beautifully integrate into the story. Carmen Cusack and A.J. Shively’s voice blooms on the stage as they perform an array of dance melodies and soulful country ballads. An eclectic mix of piano, fiddle and banjo brings in certain optimism into the plot and keeps the momentum from stalling. The score presents a beacon of hope and reminds the audience that no matter how gray things seem, the “sun is gonna shine again”.

Eugene Lee (set designer) and Josh Rhodes (choreographer) help in taking the musical forward, using the stage creatively so that there is ample room for the live band as well as to dance and hold props. An artistic teamwork by Lee, Japhy Weideman’s lighting and Jane Greenwood’s costumes create a bright, idealized landscape that matches the theme of the show. Bright Star moves with its humor and beauty, and is brimming with compelling moments. Its light will definitely shine clear and bright for a long time.