Thank you, Bright Star

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 6/26/16 at 1:24pm

I am so sad that this show never found an audience.  I've seen it four times, and I am returning for the closing performance today.  Between seeing the show and listening to the cast recording over and over, it has brought me a tremendous amount of joy.  Something about this show and its lovely score just makes me happy and fills my heart.  I know it had its critics and it's not a perfect show, but everyone I personally know who saw it absolutely adored it.  I hope it has a healthy regional life and this is not the last we see of it.  I can see it doing very well in the south--somewhere like Nashville where they have insane amounts of talent for this type of music.

 

By all accounts, the cast seems to be a collection of some of the nicest people on Broadway, and I am so sorry they couldn't have had a longer run.  I could tell from meeting them at the stage door that they all truly loved and cared about the show, and they really appreciated the warm reception from its fans.  I hope they all have tremendous success and come back to Broadway very soon so we can have more of their tremendous talents.   Particularly Carmen Cusack, Paul Alexander Nolan, AJ Shively, and Hannah Elless. 

 

Is anyone else going to the final performance today? 

 

Updated On: 6/26/16 at 01:24 PM

[Auggie27]

Posted: 6/26/16 at 1:32pm

Went to the matinee yesterday -- first time! -- and certainly fell in love.  The show is so unassuming and unabashedly audience-embracing.  The house was full, on the way in cranky and dispirited from myriad world and national crises. Somewhere in the first 30 minutes, you could feel the whole Cort just collectively agree to be transported into the world of Alice Murphy and the sweet-spirited show built around her.  It's a piece that has so many after-life assets (score, story, built-in regionality, and suitability for high school drama programs).  The B'way production will be remembered for creating a bright star indeed in Carmen Cusack.  One of the most winning and accomplished musical theater performances I've ever seen, and I've seen a slew of 'em over the decades. Martin appeared fore the entr'acte, and he was greeted with a love for his celebrity and a genuine affection for the first act we'd seen.  A lovely show, graceful and willing to wear its heart on its sleeve.  Sad day, yes.

[theatreguy12]

Posted: 6/26/16 at 2:03pm

Which just goes to show ya.

This musical was simply charming.  Such a pleasant experience.  I wasn't sure what to expect but grabbed a ticket for the heck of it since I had an opening in my theatrical itinerary on one of my two recent trips to NY.

I have to admit that I loved Hamilton. Thought it was wonderful.

But I walked out of Bright Star with a huge smile in much the same way I walked out of Shuffle Along with my jaw dropped over the unsurpassed choreography.  

Hamilton just didn't have that impact on me.  Even though I did like it.  Don't get me wrong.  I'm not knocking it.

But if given the choice to see another musical for a second time of all the shows I've seen it would be Bright Star and Shuffle Along that lead the pack.  And would love to have seen American Psycho again.  

And they're all closing…or have closed.

Again, go and figure.  

It has proven one thing to me….something I already knew….but the impressions of critics have little or no impact on me.  They may speak to some of my interests, but by far, not all.

Best of luck to all involved in Bright Star!  I loved their show!!!

Updated On: 6/26/16 at 02:03 PM

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 6/26/16 at 2:24pm

Sad to see any show close and I enjoyed what I saw of it on the Tony's.

[theatreguy12]

Posted: 6/26/16 at 2:31pm

I know some (many? most?) considered it predictable in storyline, but it was still full of strong, wonderful performances.  And any predictability didn't bother me in the least.  A lot of books, movies, and TV shows are predictable.  Refreshing are the ones that aren't.

But this show was STILL refreshing, even if some could see its ending on approach.

And I just loved the music.  Never followed bluegrass all that much, but this is one recording I would own.  I really liked it, musically, from top to bottom.

[ashk8177]

Posted: 6/26/16 at 4:15pm

I also adored this show. I saw it on a whim because the original rush tickets I wanted were sold out. There was just something about it so refreshing. Although I noticed the simplicity of the lyrics and predictability of the story, those aspects just didn't matter to me. I went for a second time last week and was so happy to see it with the packed house it deserved. I only wish it would have caught on more. I hope the cast and crew are able to find work quickly.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 6/26/16 at 4:47pm

In defense of the predictability of the story: the emotional suspense really isn't built on our ability to connect the dots, dots visible and clear as early as 10 minutes into the show.  The event here is our watching the heroine connect the dots, to put together a whole life as pieces move around her.  The enjoyment of the story isn't about our guesswork, it's about waiting, invested, for the revelations to change these characters we grow to care about.  If elements in the overall framework are familiar, even boilerplate, the carefully wrought protagonist, a bright, rueful, unsentimental woman, is very fresh indeed, making an archetype something entirely fresh.  The train imagery in the ad campaign is poignantly apt: the collaborators know well that our detective work isn't required; it's about watching a journey. They offer a memorable trip toward a series of shared epiphanies, and deliver hope and joy in the process. All too rare, this lovely experience.  

[Petrichor]

Posted: 6/26/16 at 4:50pm

I'm so glad I convinced my friend to see this with me, it was sort of on a whim as well. I still find myself singing the songs to myself. Hopefully Carmen Cusack can land another role on Broadway soon, hers is not a voice I will soon forget!

[tazber]

Posted: 6/26/16 at 5:04pm

Love let me lift this veil of darkness.

[Wick3]

Posted: 6/26/16 at 5:17pm

I saw it for the first time this past Tuesday eve and loved it as well. We got box seats though.... and now that the production is on its last day, this is a stupid question but was there a bright star? We didn't see any from our left boxes. I was hoping for a scene with the bright star and Carmen Cusack looking at it with the wind on her hair. Perhaps I missed it?

Posted: 6/26/16 at 5:46pm

I'm sure it was very sweet.  I'm also sure it could have used a name star, a new title, and some major rewrites.  As someone said, it will work just fine for a generic high school production.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 6/26/16 at 5:46pm

I just left the theater.    

I can't find the words.   

What a treasure 

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 6/26/16 at 5:55pm

Just got of the show and wanted to report back. What a joyous celebration and wonderful send off for this show.  I had a great orchestra seat and was sitting near Steve Martin, Martin Short, Walter Bobbie, and a bunch of family members/friends of the cast. It was really fun to be among all these people who care so much, so I'm glad I snapped up a ticket when closing was announced. 

 

The applause began as soon as the lights dimmed. I have no idea how the band could even hear each other. At the beginning, Carmen had to wait quite awhile before she could begin the song. She blew a kiss to the audience and finally everyone quieted down. The entire show the energy was electric. You could tell the cast was extremely emotional but they all channeled it into their performances in an amazing way. I think all of them gave the strongest, most emotional performances I've seen from them yet. Every big song and solo got a huge applause, and there was a lot of cheering after the dance in the middle of Pour Me Another Round. The entire cast is so talented I am so happy every principal got such a warm reception. 

 

And Carmen. Oh, Carmen. I could feel her joy and her pain coming through especially well in Alice Murphy today. During At Last I felt like she was speaking as Alice but also as herself as after all this work, she's finally made it. She got a much deserved standing ovation at the end of the song. 

 

Steve Martin played with the band during the entr'acte and received a standing ovation. He, Edie Brickell, Walter Bobbie, and a few of the other creatives came out during the bright star reprise at curtain call. The band then played some more, and everyone stayed on their feet clapping along. Steve even did a little jig at the end. Walter Bobbie wouldn't let Carmen off the stage without another bow. No one wanted to leave the theater. It was a truly glorious send off and I'm so happy I got to be a part of it. 

 

I was sitting near this guy who seemed almost bizarrely enthusiastic about the whole cast but particularly Carmen. I thought maybe she had a stalker, but I found out at intermission it was her husband. That explains it!  After I knew, I could feel his love for her and the whole cast radiating. He seems like her biggest fan and it melted my heart. I overheard him saying she's doing 3 dates at 54 below later this summer. I couldn't really hear him but it also sounded like he was saying she's getting a lot of offers as a result of this show. I was so happy to hear this. 

 

Anyway I am so glad I got to be there for this. 

[Wick3]

Posted: 6/26/16 at 6:11pm

That's awesome you got to see the last performance!!!! I walked by the theater at 10am in the morning and there was already a long line for SRO. :)

I bought a Bright Star magnet when I saw it on Tuesday though now I actually wish I bought more merchandise. Do you know whether they will be selling leftover merchandise at the box office this week?

[theatreguy12]

Posted: 6/26/16 at 6:40pm

Absolutely, Auggie!

Funny that I was saying the exact same thing  to a friend of mine who was asking about the show.

I told him that while some considered it "predictable," I didn't care.  It was totally about watching the journey and how she got there.

And sometimes what you think is going to happen does. As in this case.  But sometimes it doesn't.  So you just never know. 

With Bright Star it just doesn't matter.  You're sharing her story, and her journey with her.  And you let it take you wherever it chooses to transport you.  Maybe you're not surprised; maybe you are.

And this is why I had much the same reaction as AdGal walking out of the theater.  Just shaking my head, smiling, and feeling good!  It was quite a ride.

Conversely, with shows like Hamilton there is so much news surrounding the show, and so many reviews, and so much, well, hype, that you walk into the theater with a lot of preconceived notions.  

True, you experience an amazing show. You leave the theater feeling that yes, the show was outstanding!  But you expected it.

With Bright Star I walked in unsure of what to expect.  And I left with that huge smile…and really quite blown away.  The range of emotions was much more expansive  than what I experienced with Hamilton.  Which made it really special!!  That's what theater should do for you.

[MichelleCraig]

Posted: 6/26/16 at 6:52pm

I remember being at the final performance of PARADE years ago at Lincoln Center. Amazing. Final performances do bring out the love.

Updated On: 6/26/16 at 06:52 PM

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 6/26/16 at 6:53pm

I agree re predictability. There are plenty of predictable shows. She Loves Me is an example. I mean that put the ending on the ads for the show!  It doesn't make the show less enjoyable. 

 

[Wick3]

Posted: 6/26/16 at 6:58pm

theatreguy12 said: "With Bright Star I walked in unsure of what to expect.  And I left with that huge smile…and really quite blown away.  The range of emotions was much more expansive  than what I experienced with Hamilton.  Which made it really special!!  That's what theater should do for you."

I agree. The first act was entertaining with "If you knew my story", "bright star" (sung by my favorite AJ Shively), "Whoa Mama", etc. and by intermission I was a bit overwhelmed with emotion. I cried twice in the second act and by the end, I, too, walked out of the theater feeling good, glad to be alive! :)  This past week, when I was down, I'll admit I thought of the lyrics "the sun is gonna shine again.... the sun is gonna shine again.... the sun is gonna shine again." :) 

 

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 6/26/16 at 7:17pm

Forgot to mention AJ and Carmen were both sobbing through the whole last song. (Well not sobbing because somehow they were still singing.). It was so sweet and they got a huge cheer when they hugged during the finale. 

[asmith0307]

Posted: 6/26/16 at 8:01pm

I was there as well, and it was incredible. It was my third time, and I sadly wish that I could see it again. 

 

As for the predictability thing again - I liken it to Fun Home, its established within the first few minutes that Bruce is going to die. Its the journey of how they all get to that moment that is fascinating to watch.

[ashk8177]

Posted: 6/26/16 at 8:14pm

It is really nice and refreshing to a positive thread like this. Not one snarky or rude comment to be found. Any disagreements were voiced politely and respectfully, I love it. Thanks guys (-: 

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 6/26/16 at 8:50pm

ashk8177 said: "It is really nice and refreshing to a positive thread like this. Not one snarky or rude comment to be found. Any disagreements were voiced politely and respectfully, I love it. Thanks guys (-: 

 

"

You must have missed post #11. 

 

But otherwise yes. :) I think this show brings out the positivity in people. 

[seeseveryshow2]

Posted: 6/26/16 at 8:57pm

I think Auggie27 nailed it - the joy in this show was watching how the story unfolds for the characters living it. So many criticized the story for its predictability. That didn't matter because it wasn't predictable to Alice Murphy.  I loved this show, saw it twice. One of the season's treasures. It pains me that BRIGHT STAR has folded while other new shows of lesser emotional weight and impact (WAITRESS and SCHOOL OF ROCK, in particular) play on and on. 

[Melissa25]

Posted: 6/26/16 at 9:17pm

I went back to see Bright Star again today.  What a treat! I love this show and all the performers in it.  This time I was able to sit in row D in the orchestra so it was great to see everyone's expression.  It really is a shame that this show did not find it's audience.  

Thanks ChiTheaterFan for sharing the info about Carmen doing 54 Below later this year.  I was probably the first person to jump up and give her a standing o after "At Last" today. I cannot wait to see her again.  What a star.

 

 

 

 

[mc1227]

Posted: 6/26/16 at 9:36pm

Saw it during previews and thought it was a lovely, well told story and the obvious direction the story was going didn't bother me in the least.  I thought the whole production was just wonderful and I'm sad it didn't find its audience.  I think they closed it too soon but business is business.  Looking forward to the next Carmen Cusack project as she was the Bright Star.