By Lisa Panzer
Superbly staged “Bright Star”, directed by Brian Kavanagh, renders a bittersweet southern saga of heartbreak, healing and coming home. Spanning the 1920s-40s in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, this emotionally charged musical takes a look at the beauty and bitterness of truth and deception in the life of Editor Alice Murphy (Kendra Eckbold).
“Bright Star” at the Barnstormers Theater.
Beginning with the musical number “If You Knew My Story”, Alice’s tale enfolds across time as it touches all she holds dear, including her family, friends and future associates, especially one young up and coming writer, Billy Cane (John Millison) who sings out his dreams and goals in “Bright Star”. With the tune “Way Back in the Day” Alice’s back-story begins. As the tale progresses, effrontery, betrayal and loss are conveyed throughout the ensuing songs, but Alice continues and becomes successful in a publishing career, though the past will not stay behind her…
Bright spots in the story are supplied by simply elegant choreography (Theresa Millison), the comedic duo Daryl Ames (Randy Ross Marcheski) and Lucy Grant (Jen Rotsch) of the Ashville Southern Journal, a terrific seven piece live orchestra, strong vocals (Meghan Hickey), a stellar cast, some well delivered one liners, and the overall outstanding quality of the production. Lively pieces such as “Another Round” and the beautiful duet “Always Will” in Act II between young romantics Margo (Katie VanNewkirk) and Billy stir the air, and robust character portrayals, particularly Alice’s old beau, Jimmy Ray Dobbs (Patrick Murray) and father Mayor Josiah Dobbs (Michael Zurawski), pervade the stage.
“Bright Star” at Barnstormers is heart-warming yet heart-wrenching musical yarn, done right well.
Director Brian Kavanagh’s savvy inset lighting design and set cleverly constructed from raw pallets and described as “early American hillbilly” by one Barnstormers official, coalesce creating an overarching atmosphere that enables fluidity of mood, yet stability of place. Movement and scene changes are executed dexterously with flair. Subtle stationing of and quiet position switching of ensemble/chorus along the shadows of the set during select scenes lends depth to the action at large. Period costuming (Patrick Murray) wonderfully augments the retro feel of this powerfully sentimental drama.
“Bright Star” at Barnstormers is heart-warming yet heart-wrenching musical yarn, done right well.
Music, Book & Story by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell
Barnstormers, Inc. theater is located at 402 Tome St., Ridley Park, PA 19078
Show dates are: April 27, 28, 29, May 5, and 6 at 8:00 PM
April 30 and May 7 at 3:00 PM
Ticket link: Barnstormers Theater Tickets (ticketleap.com)