‘BRIGHT STAR’: (left to right) Michael Pearce, Bennett Sullivan, Rob Berman & Martha McDonnell. Photo: Nick Stokes BRIGHT STAR Book, music & story by Steve Martin Music, lyrics & story by Edie Brickell Directed by Walter Bobbie Cort Theatre 138 West 48th Street (212-239-6200), www.BrightStarMusical.comBy Scott HarrahWith its bluegrass score and Southern gothic plot, Bright Star—the new musical by Steve Martin and pop artist Edie Brickell, based on their 2013, Grammy-winning album “Love Has Come For You”– is hardly traditional Broadway fare, but it is truly an original work in every sense. This down-home tale has a lot going for it, from energetic choreography by Josh Rhodes to a great cast directed by Walter Bobbie and a breakout performance from golden-voiced Carmen Cusack in the lead role of Alice Murphy. Despite its flaws, Bright Star has enough spunk to hold our attention with a compelling yet convoluted, sentimental story and a sincere, infectious, country-fried songbook.If one overlooks the two things that bog down Bright Star—Ms. Brickell’s rhyming, often repetitious lyrics and the somewhat predictable plot—it’s easy to suspend disbelief and go with the saga, set in both 1920s and 1940s North Carolina. The musical opens with Ms. Cusack belting out the rousing “If You Knew My Story,” which prefaces all that is about to transpire.In 1945, young Billy Cane (A.J. Shively) returns from the war and pursues his dream of becoming a writer. He travels to Asheville and tries to get published in the prestigious Asheville Southern Journal, but he first has to impress the discerning, editor, Alice Murphy (Ms. Cusack).The story alternates from the mid-1940s to 1923, when, in bucolic Zebulon, North Carolina, teenaged Alice Murphy falls for Jimmy Ray Dobbs (Paul Alexander Nolan). The trouble is their fathers don’t approve of the relationship. Jimmy Ray’s dad is Mayor Josiah Dobbs (Michael Mulheren), who has lofty plans for his son, while Alice’s Daddy Murphy (Steven Lee Anderson) is a religious zealot and will not bless their union.Without giving too much away, there’s a baby involved and a mysterious “accident.” It doesn’t take long for the tale of two decades to meet as the twist we’ve been expecting is finally revealed.Everything unfolds via Eugene Lee’s multi-purpose set, featuring a revolving wooden cabin. We often see the musicians onstage, playing banjo, violin, piano, fiddle, etc., adding to the hillbilly spirit of the show.Ms. Cusack emerges as the true Bright Star here because, with her lush, emotional vocals and multi-layered performance, she brings badly needed depth and veracity to the paper-thin material, portraying both young and older Alice with seamless conviction. She’s certainly going to be recognized in a few weeks come awards-nomination time in a competitive season of outstanding female musical actresses.The songs, from “Way Back in the Day” to “Asheville,” “I Can’t Wait” and “Sun’s Gonna Shine” (the latter is the only one from the 2013 “Love Has Come for You” album) propel the story and will thrill fans of bluegrass. Although an original musical is a rarity on Broadway these days, this one, with all its rhyming songs and formulaic revelations, is solid enough for a good, healthy run. Edited by Scott Harrah Published March 27, 2016 Reviewed at press performance on March 26, 2016 ‘BRIGHT STAR’: Carmen Cusack & Paul Alexander Nolan. Photo: Nick Stokes‘BRIGHT STAR’: Hannah Elless & A.J. Shively. Photo: Nick Stokes‘BRIGHT STAR’: Carmen Cusack. Photo: Nick StokesShare this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Related2 Responses John March 28, 2016 Thanks for the review. Scott Harrah March 28, 2016 Thanks for commenting!
