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Bright Star 2016

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

‘Bright Star’ Broadway Review: Steve Martin, Edie Brickell Write a TCM-Inspired Musical
5 / 10

The 'Bright Star' bluegrass score features more twangs per dipthong than a whole evening of 'Tobacco Road'...Walter Bobbie directs and Josh Rhodes choreographs 'Bright Star' in a way that brings to mind Agnes de Mille as rendered by Grant Wood. Time will tell if this musical makes the walls of Joe Allen restaurant's gallery of flops. On the walls of my mind, 'Bright Star' has already taken its place between last season's 'Doctor Zhivago' and 1979's 'Got Tu Go Disco.'

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.

BWW Flashback: 'Sun's Gonna Shine' on Steve Martin & Edie Brickell's BRIGHT STAR, Closing Today on Broadway
by BWW Special Coverage - June 26, 2016


Bright Star, the new musical from 2016 Tony Award nominees Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, plays its final Broadway performance today, June 26, after 30 preview and 109 regular performances. Below, BroadwayWorld takes you back through Bright Star's journey on Broadway!

Breaking News: Broadway's BRIGHT STAR Sets Closing Date
by Tyler Peterson - June 14, 2016


Producer Joey Parnes has announced that Bright Star, the new musical from 2016 Tony Award nominees Steve Martin and Edie Brickell,will play its final Broadway performance on Sunday, June 26, after 30 preview and 109 regular performances.

BWW Blog: Jeff Blumenkrantz - The Tonys!
by Guest Blogger: Jeff Blumenkrantz - June 9, 2016


After any given performance of Bright Star, we typically have between 20-40 people waiting at the stage door for autographs. It's interesting to observe how differently the people in our cast (and casts everywhere) deal with greeting fans at the stage door. Over the years, I've isolated a few categories:

TV Exclusive: BACKSTAGE BITE with Katie Lynch and BRIGHT STAR's Lizzie Klemperer
by Backstage Bite with Katie Lynch - June 7, 2016


BroadwayWorld is thrilled to add to our roster of exclusive talent and programing, Backstage Bite with Katie Lynch. Come into Katie's kitchen with some of Broadway's brightest as they eat, drink and merrily mix it up in this new cooking show. See your favorite stars out of their element as they whip up dishes inspired by their Broadway show. Watch what happens when these actors trade belting for baking! Today, we are excited to bring you the latest episode, featuring Bright Star's Lizzie Klemperer!

TV: Tony Nominee Carmen Cusack Sings from BRIGHT STAR at Stars in the Alley!
by Nicole Rosky - June 4, 2016


STARS IN THE ALLEY, presented by United Airlines, took place just yesterday June 3rd in Shubert Alley. Hosted by Tony nominee Sean Hayes and Mo Rocca, Broadway's best once again turned out for the annual performance - including Tony nominee Carmen Cusack, who performed 'Way back in the Day' from BRIGHT STAR!

BWW Blog: Jeff Blumenkrantz - Stage Door Types
by Guest Blogger: Jeff Blumenkrantz - June 3, 2016


After any given performance of Bright Star, we typically have between 20-40 people waiting at the stage door for autographs. It's interesting to observe how differently the people in our cast (and casts everywhere) deal with greeting fans at the stage door. Over the years, I've isolated a few categories:

Photo Coverage: Meet the Nominees- BRIGHT STAR's Carmen Cusack
by Walter McBride - June 5, 2016


On May 4, the 2016 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 week, but for now, check out photos of Best Performance by an Actress in Leading Role in a Musical nominee for Bright Star, Carmen Cusack, as captured by Walter McBride!

VIDEO: A Backstage Visit With BRIGHT STAR's Dee Hoty
by Michael Dale - June 1, 2016


The two-time Tony nominee takes questions from Facebook users before the Wednesday matinee.

BRIGHT STAR Original Broadway Cast Recording in Stores Today
by Tyler Peterson - May 27, 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 online and in stores today, Friday, May 27.

STAGE TUBE: Steve Martin & Carmen Cusack Talk Broadway's BRIGHT STAR on CBS THIS MORNING
by Tyler Peterson - May 24, 2016


Broadway's shining at the moment with Steve Martin and Edie Brickell's new musical BRIGHT STAR, featuring Tony nominee Carmen Cusack, currently playing at the Cort Theatre. In celebration of the show's run - not to mention five Tony nods - Martin and Cusack stopped by CBS THIS MORNING today, where they opened up about the process of bringing the musical to the Great White Way. Check out their interview below!

BWW Blog: Jeff Blumenkrantz - Favorite Dressing Room Items of the BRIGHT STAR Cast
by Guest Blogger: Jeff Blumenkrantz - May 16, 2016


Today I'm addressing another excellent question from @JudyMolnar: 'What are some favorite items Bright Star cast members have in their dressing rooms? Show & tell.'

STAGE TUBE: Steve Martin Surprises Audience During Entr'acte at BRIGHT STAR
by Louisa Brady - May 14, 2016


Last night's BRIGHT STAR audience was pleasantly surprised at the start of Act 2 when Steve Martin joined the band onstage for the Entr'acte. Martin, who wrote the show's book and composed the music with Edie Brickell, played the banjo. Check out footage from the surprise performance below!

Tony Awards Close-Up: Sun Is Shining Hard on BRIGHT STAR's Carmen Cusack!
by Nicole Rosky - May 15, 2016


Carmen Cusack has finally made her Broadway debut, and it's in the role of a lifetime. She plays Alice Murphy (at two ages) in Steve Martin and Edie Brickell's BRIGHT STAR- a performance that earned her a nomination for Best Performance by and Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical. Hear her story below!

BWW Blog: Jeff Blumenkrantz - Understudying on Broadway: Part Two â€" 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!

Bright Star History

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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