BRIGHT STAR (Pre-Broadway) at the Kennedy Center

[jacobsnchz14]

The show begins tomorrow at the Kennedy Center through January 10 before it moves to Broadway's Cort Theatre for previews beginning February 25. Anyone plan on attending and reporting back?

 

Inspired by an astonishing true event, the wholly original new musical 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 successful literary editor Alice Murphy meets an ambitious young soldier just home from World War II, their connection inspires Alice to confront a shocking incident from her past. Together they discover a long-buried secret with the power to transform their lives.

 

From Grammy® and Emmy® winner Steve Martin and Grammy-winning singer-songwriterEdie Brickell comes this hopeful and heart-swelling new musical, directed by Tony® winnerWalter Bobbie. Don’t miss this powerful reminder that even in the darkest sky, there's always one... BRIGHT STAR.

[CindersGolightly]

Yes! Was just about to make this thread. I'm particularly interested in what role Emily Padgett plays? I'm assuming for now she's just ensemble but I know nothing about this show, so I'm really hoping she at least has a name.

[BroadwayConcierge]

I have tickets for the show at some point during its run at The Kennedy Center (can't remember exactly when), but will report back right afterwards!

[philly03]

I plan to see this as well. It will be hard to top the great "Little Dancer" world premiere the Kennedy Center did this time last year, however.

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

I'm not certain, but I believe Padgett is playing the part Libby Winters played at La Jolla.

[neonlightsxo]

^ I don't think that's true, as Dora Murphy wasn't included in the casting breakdown that went out. I was under the impression that role was cut. But I could be wrong.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/equity-audition/BRIGHT-STAR-Kennedy-Center-Broadway-Theatre-TBA-2015-11158

 

[Keiichi2]

Looking forward to the reactions to this one.  Have a ticket to see the Broadway production on April 5th.

[CindersGolightly]

Could she possibly be Lucy Grant, or is somebody else confirmed to play her? The description for Lucy matches Padgett's wheelhouse.

[neonlightsxo]

Lucy Grant was played by Kate Loprest at the Old Globe, so that's possible.  

[CindersGolightly]

Yup, she's playing Lucy! https://www.instagram.com/p/-z-LoZCiAM/?taken-by=missempadgett

 

I'm so excited for this. Can't wait to hear thoughts!!

[acekatherineplumber2]

I'm seeing this tomorrow night! Will report back.

[acekatherineplumber2]

I'm seeing this tomorrow night! Will report back.

[Broadway kid 2]

[CindersGolightly]

Bump! Can't wait to hear your thoughts, AceKatherine!

[Finch]

Any comments yet?

[gschuber]

I saw it last night and loved it!  I have to admit, I didn't have much desire, but when a discount popped up, I thought why not?  The score is blue grass banjo music (as would be expected from Steve Martin), but it's tuneful and used well to tell the story. The story is a little disturbing, but it's very well done. All the performers were very good. I'm still thinking about it today. In the audience was Michelle Lee who is in town for the KC Honors. Also saw Edie and Paul Simon heading backstage after the show. Didn't see Steve Martin though. I highly recommend it. 

[Aida Revival]

Can't wait to see it!! I smell Tony's.

[haterobics]

Aida Revival said: "I smell Tony's."

 

You smell Tony's what?

[BroadwayConcierge]

I saw this at The Kennedy Center this week and do not smell Tonys. I wanted to like this show so much. It has a lot of potential, but some pretty significant shortcomings at this point. The score is sweet and folksy, but you can only listen to it for so long before you start to snooze. You crave big notes and don't get them until the eleven o'clock number.

 

The greatest issue I took with the show was that the book is very dry in some spots, and the score does not always work to support the book (the traumatic scene where Alice's baby is taken from her is set to jaunty, folk music—it was all very strange and uncomfortable). The show could benefit from lyrical edits as well. Maybe I'm spoiled after listening to Hamilton for months now, but listening to the lyric “A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do when a man’s gotta do what he’s got to" for the 40th time made me want to blow my brains out.

 

Carmen Cusack was good, but it took me a while to get accustomed to her voice in this score. She obviously has a great voice, but with much of the score, she sounds quite tinny. Emily Padgett was great, and her second-act dance number in the bar was the highlight for me. I'm away from my playbill, so I can't find his name at the moment, but the actor who played Jimmy Ray Dobbs gave by far the most standout performance. Really wonderful work.

 

The second act is worlds better than the first, I will say.

 

I loved having the musicians in the wood house on stage for the show, and think that production-wise, it will fit into the Cort wonderfully. It felt very similar to The Bridges of Madison County in many spots, which is why I worry about how well it will fare with audiences (though it seemed it was a packed house at the KenCen). I'm interested in seeing how they continue to develop the show (I'm told there was a sister plotline from its San Diego run that was completely cut from the show). I have no desire to see it again when it hits Broadway, though, and wish 'em luck.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

I'm away from my playbill, so I can't find his name at the moment, but the actor who played Jimmy Ray Dobbs gave by far the most standout performance.

 

I believe that would be Paul Alexander Nolan (Jesus from the 2012 Jesus Christ Superstar revival, the final Guy in Once, Pasha from Doctor Zhivago, and was most recently seen off-Broadway in Daddy Long Legs).

[hork]

BroadwayConcierge said:

The show could benefit from lyrical edits as well. Maybe I'm spoiled after listening to Hamilton for months now, but listening to the lyric “A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do when a man’s gotta do what he’s got to" for the 40th time made me want to blow my brains out.

 

You have to give Edie Brickell a break. She's not aware of too many things. She knows what she knows if you know what I mean. What she is is what she is, are you what you are or what?

 

Ugh, thanks for reminding me why I will never see this musical.

[CindersGolightly]

Concierge, I'm pleased to hear that Padgett was a highlight for you! Is that song her only big moment? What is her character like? I really love her. Really think she deserves a successful show for once, after "Waterfall", "Flashdance", AND "White Noise" all not making it to Broadway. The lyrics are something that can be changed, so I'm glad it didn't have "root problems". Hopefully they can pull things together.

[Aida Revival]

White Noise should go off broadway. 

[CindersGolightly]

Totally agree. Don't know what even happened with that show and why it never continued after Chicago.

[Aida Revival]

I would like to see it come to Broadway as well. Whoopi Goldberg was attached to it.