Bright Star (2023)
About the Play
Inspired by a real event and featuring the Grammy-nominated score by Steven Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s BRIGHT STAR tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ’40s. When literary editor Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from World War II, he awakens her longing for the child she once lost. Haunted by their unique connection, Alice sets out on a journey to understand her past – and what she finds has the power to transform both of their lives. Propelled by an ensemble of onstage musicians and dancers, the story unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion, beautiful melodies and powerfully moving performances. An uplifting theatrical journey that holds you tight in its grasp, Bright Star is as refreshingly genuine as it is daringly hopeful.
Music by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell
Book by Steve Martin
Based on Steve Martin and Edie Brickell Grammy-winning collaboration on the 2013 bluegrass album Love Has Come for You and, in turn, the folk story of the Iron Mountain Baby.
Original Choreography by Josh Rhodes
Originally Directed by Walter Bobbie
Originally Presented at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego on September 28, 2014
Artistic Team
Director Sharayah Russell
Music Director James Russell
Production Manager/Lighting Lori Bunce & Tyler Fortney
Stage Manager/Set Design Emma Ostlund & Chris Keiser
ASM/Props Jacey Vincent & Tanya Bagwell
Costumer Shannon Stewart
Sound Engineer Nathaniel Glewwe
Graphic Design Abby Trask & Sharayah Russell
Marketing Abby Trask, Sharayah Russell & Lori Bunce
Tickets/Front of House Michelle Benson
Executive Director Lori Bunce
Artistic & Technical Director Greg Bunce
The Cast
Alice Murphy Cecily Gaspar
Billy Cane Tucker Gaspar
Ensemble, Daddy Cane Brad Vanasse
Margo Jaida Ruis
Ensemble, Max/US Billy Cane Jonathan Kolacz
Ensemble, Florence Zoe Koep
Ensemble, Edna Hanna Stegman
Daryl Bill Stevens
Lucy Clarissa Geske
Ensemble, Mama Murphy Rachel Gaspar
Ensemble, Daddy Murphy Ron Stewart
Mayor Dobbs Ryan Slusher
Jimmy Ray Dobbs Dylan Sauder
Ensemble, Dr. Norquist John Cornell
Ensemble, Government Clerk C.C. Rode
Ensemble, Well-Dressed Woman, Spirit Trio Darci Christensen
Ensemble, Stanford/US Mayor Dobbs Brad Gaspar
Ensemble/US Lucy Katriela Caspari
Ensemble, US Margo Hanna McLevish
Ensemble/US Mama Murphy, Spirit Trio Terry Friedlein
Ensemble/US Daddy Cane & Daddy Murphy Greg Bunce
Ensemble / US Jimmy Ray Dobbs Joe Klinker
US Alice Sharayah Russell
Ensemble Annaliese Harty
Ensemble Emma Petry
Ensemble, Spirit Trio Jorden Tisor
Ensemble Jan Werner
Ensemble Lucy Wilder
Ensemble Luke Dixon
Orchestra
Piano - Tori Klomps
Keyboard & Fiddle - Claire Dill
Banjo & Guitar - Mike Regouski
Mandolin & Guitar - Benjamin Gieseke
Bass - Karen Radford
Percussion - Peter Radford
Joe Marcella
Fiddle - Jakob Cornell
Viola - Julia Cornell
Cello - Andreina Lugo