Bright Star 2016 - Articles Page 1.8

Run Time:
Two hours and 30 minutes, with one intermission
Ages: 13+
Opened: March 24, 2016
Closing: June 26, 2016

Bright Star - 2016 - Broadway History , Info & More

With music and book by Steve Martin and music and lyrics by Edie Brickell, BRIGHT STAR is based on an original story by Martin and Brickell and features direction by Walter Bobbie.

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.

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PREVIEW Bright Star - 2016 - Broadway

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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Bright Star

BWW Review: Carmen Cusack Shines In Steve Martin and Edie Brickell's Southern Gothic BRIGHT STAR
7 / 10

For a musical about literary folk, Bright Star's words never approach the stimulating freshness and intelligence of other current musicals about writers; namely HAMILTON, FUN HOME, the revival of SHE LOVES ME and Off-Broadway's DADDY LONG LEGS. Nice music, fine performances, but other than that, barely a twinkle.

Theater Review: Sunlight Without Warmth, in Steve Martin and Edie Brickell’s Bright Star
6 / 10

..Bright Star now opens with an establishing song called 'If You Knew My Story.' It's super-catchy, and Carmen Cusack, whose role in the proceedings we do not yet comprehend, sings the hell out of it. But unfortunately it does its 'show the audience what to expect' job too well. With banal, self-cancelling, upbeat lyrics...it mostly shows us that we are going to have, in Bright Star, a banal, self-cancelling, upbeat musical, the kind that wants to demonstrate a lot of heart without actually having one. Which is not to say it has no smarts and no value. There's a lot to like in Bright Star and a lot to admire in the way it was made...How the stories intersect with the songs is the larger problem here. The mostly bluegrass score, with country, gospel, and a little swing thrown in, sounds great...but almost always does exactly the opposite of what a story-based musical requires.

BWW Blog: Jeff Blumenkrantz - Understudying on Broadway: Part Two �" Sandra DeNise and Sarah Jane Shanks
by Guest Blogger: Jeff Blumenkrantz - May 10, 2016


In this second part of Understudying on Broadway (you can find Part 1 here), I'm discussing the subject with two women who each have tons of experience, Sandra (Sandy) DeNise and Sarah Jane Shanks, both currently covering the demanding, central role of 'Alice Murphy' in Bright Star. (I should mention that they both also cover the role of 'Lucy Grant,' and additionally, Sandy covers 'Mama Murphy!')

STAGE TUBE: Watch Tony Nominee Carmen Cusack Sing 'If You Knew My Story' from BRIGHT STAR
by Nicole Rosky - May 10, 2016


Ghostlight Records recently released the original cast recording of Bright Star, the new musical from Grammy and Emmy Award winner Steve Martin and Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Edie Brickell. The album - produced by the legendary, multi-Grammy Award-winning producer, manager, and musician Peter Asher - will be available in stores everywhere beginning Friday, May 27. The digital booklet features full lyrics, show photos, liner notes from Martin, Brickell and Asher, in addition to a synopsis and essay by Bill Rosenfield. To order the album, please visit http://www.sh-k-boom.com/bright-star-original-broadway-cast-recording. Below, watch as Tony nominee Carmen Cusack records 'If You Knew My Story' in the studio!

In The Season of HAMILTON, Best Musical Nominee BRIGHT STAR Takes a Leap Of Faith Towards Tony Night
by Michael Dale - May 9, 2016


With the chance for a Tony win looking far out of reach, the struggling musical tries building box office momentum with its five nominations.

Photo Coverage: Meet the Nominees - BRIGHT STAR's Steve Martin & Edie Brickell
by Walter McBride - May 6, 2016


On May 4, this year's Tony nominees flocked to the Paramount Hotel, where they met with the press for the first time since getting the big news. BroadwayWorld will be bringing you coverage from the epic day over the next month (so watch out for lots more), but for now, check out photos of Best Musical, Best Book and Best Score nominees BRIGHT STAR creators Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, as captured by Walter McBride!

Tony Awards Close-Up: What About BRIGHT STAR Brings Steve Martin and Edie Brickell the Most Joy? Find Out!
by Nicole Rosky - May 7, 2016


Can't get enough of Bright Star? The show earned five Tony nominations earlier this week, and it's thanks to the work of the show's creators Steve Martin and Edie Brickell- nominees for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Score. Below, watch as they tell us why watching audiences react brings them so much joy!

BWW Blog: Jeff Blumenkrantz - Understudying on Broadway: Part One - Nuts and Bolts
by Guest Blogger: Jeff Blumenkrantz - May 5, 2016


Those of you who have seen Bright Star know what a tour de force the role of "Alice Murphy" is for our Tony/Drama Desk/Outer Critics Circle-nominated leading lady, Carmen Cusack. And while she seems to be indefatigable, ever in great voice, and able to do eight brilliant and emotional shows a week, plus any number of extracurricular appearances, it's only a matter of time (or vacation) before "Alice Murphy" will fall into the hands of one or both of her understudies, who have been preparing diligently for the big task. Lucky for us, those two women are the super-talented and highly experienced Sandra (Sandy) DeNise and Sarah Jane Shanks, who, in their regular Bright Star tracks, carry an already heavy load as members of the ensemble, acting, singing, dancing, and set-moving their way through almost every scene in the show. 

Photo Flash: Randy Jones & Victor Garber Visit Broadway's BRIGHT STAR
by Tyler Peterson - May 2, 2016


With direction by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie and choreography by Josh Rhodes, Bright Star is now open at the Cort Theatre. Randy Jones and Victor Garber attended yesterday's performance - check out photos from their visit below!

BRIGHT STAR Original Broadway Cast Recording Out Digitally Today
by Tyler Peterson - April 29, 2016


Ghostlight Records has released the original cast recording of Bright Star, the new musical from Grammy and Emmy Award winner Steve Martin and Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Edie Brickell in digital formats today, Friday, April 29.

BWW Blog: Jeff Blumenkrantz - BRIGHT STAR Pre Show Rituals
by Guest Blogger: Jeff Blumenkrantz - April 29, 2016


This week, I put out a request for questions for me and the Bright Star cast. 

BWW Blog: Jeff Blumenkrantz - BRIGHT STAR Cast Recording
by Guest Blogger: Jeff Blumenkrantz - April 26, 2016


Our Bright Star original cast recording (OCR) comes out this week!

VIDEO: BRIGHT STAR's A.J. Shively Performs Original Song 'Your Passion' on TODAY
by Caryn Robbins - April 22, 2016


A.J. Shively, currently starring in the new Broadway musical BRIGHT STAR by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, honored Craig and Karen Munk with his performance of “Your Passion.'

BWW Blog: Jeff Blumenkrantz of Broadway's BRIGHT STAR
by Guest Blogger: Jeff Blumenkrantz - April 21, 2016


Hello, Broadway World!

Photo Flash: BRIGHT STAR's Jeff Blumenkrantz, Carmen Cusack, Edie Brickell and More at Birdland
by BWW News Desk - April 20, 2016


The Broadway at Birdland concert series was thrilled to present Tony-nominated composer Jeff Blumenkrantz, who was joined by his Bright Star cast mates to perform an evening of his original songs. Scroll down for photos from the concert!

VIDEO: Cast of Broadway's BRIGHT STAR Perform 'Whoa Mama' on 'Today'
by Caryn Robbins - April 19, 2016


Steve Martin and Edie Brickell introduced the cast of their new musical BRIGHT STAR, who gave a live performance of a number from the show, 'Whoa Mama,' led by Carmen Cusack and Paul Alexander Nolan.

VIDEO: BRIGHT STAR's Steve Martin & Edie Brickell Talk Show's Inspiration on 'Today'
by Caryn Robbins - April 19, 2016


Comedy icon Steve Martin and singer-songwriter Edie Brickell have recorded two albums together and won a Grammy for their American roots music. Now they team up on the new Broadway musical, BRIGHT STAR.

Other Productions of Bright Star

2016   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway
2017   US Tour First National Tour
US Tour

Bright Star - 2016 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
2016 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Actress in a Musical Carmen Cusack
2016 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Costume Design for a Musical Jane Greenwood
2016 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical A.J. Shively
2016 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Paul Alexander Nolan
2016 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Music Edie Brickell
2016 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Music Steve Martin
2016 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Orchestrations August Eriksmoen
2016 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical Nevin Steinberg
2016 Drama League Awards Distinguished Performance Award Carmen Cusack
2016 Drama League Awards Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical Bright Star
2016 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Actress in a Musical Carmen Cusack
2016 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Book of a Musical (Broadway or off-Broadway) Steve Martin
2016 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Choreography Josh Rhodes
2016 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Costume Design (Play or Musical) Jane Greenwood
2016 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Director of a Musical Walter Bobbie
2016 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding New Broadway Musical Bright Star
2016 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding New Score (Broadway or off-Broadway) Edie Brickell
2016 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding New Score (Broadway or off-Broadway) Steve Martin
2016 Tony Awards Best Book of a Musical Steve Martin
2016 Tony Awards Best Musical Bright Star
2016 Tony Awards Best Orchestrations August Eriksmoen
2016 Tony Awards Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre Steve Martin
2016 Tony Awards Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre Edie Brickell
2016 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical Carmen Cusack

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