Posted: 3/23/16 at 11:08am
I have seen both Bright Star and Southern Comfort. It's quite uncommon to have this many Bluegrass-tinged options. I feel fortunate because I like this kind of music. I also have tickets to see The Robber Bridegroom and Pump Boys and Dinettes (Papermill) in April.
Posted: 3/23/16 at 12:18pm
Production photos are starting to pop up all over my social media, and I have to say, they are really sumptuous and gorgeous (if not a little overdone).
Updated On: 3/23/16 at 12:18 PM
Posted: 3/23/16 at 4:38pm
I haven't yet seen Southern Comfort. After I saw Robber Bridegroom for the second time a few days ago, my friend and I were discussing how Robber is quite different because the show is so full of comedy. Bright Star is more traditional bluegrass, with those roots grounded in making the listener feel good or dealing with human emotion. The shows are just so, so different. And on the subject of the songs, perhaps I'm easy to please or too simplistic, but I'm not one to dissect the names of the songs having an impact on the success of a show or determining if I like a show or not. All I know is that as I watch a show, if what I'm seeing and hearing sticks with me and pleases me, then I've enjoyed the show and don't dissect it much beyond that. Bright Star is a feel-good show that I think has stayed with me because the state of the world we live in right now is, honestly, pretty terrible. It was nice to walk away from a show where the central theme was how things in life can end up working out. It's upbeat and positive. It may be cliche to some -- even heavily cliche -- but I like leaving the theatre feeling uplifted.
Posted: 3/23/16 at 10:53pm
Couldn't agree more with the above. In the theatre landscape right now, which is proliferated with heavy shows that have something grandiose and macro to say (Hamilton, Fun Home, etc), it is lovely and dare I say refreshing to see a musical that is so earnest and unassuming in its message.
Posted: 3/24/16 at 12:00am
Saw this tonight and enjoyed it very much. I think for a first time theater endeavor, Martin and Brickell put together some wonderful songs and a beautiful little story. I heard the people behind me complaining at intermission and "it's not my type of music, yada, yada, yada". By the end of Act 2, two of the women were sobbing...lol. It reminded me a bit of a combination of Bridges of Madison County and Once. It was different and quiet but quite beautiful in its simplicity.
Possible Spoiler ahead!!!!!
That being said, the only thing I had a problem with, and I had the same complaint with Bridges, are the ensemble on stage most of the time moving the sets around. For me, it takes away from the scene and the moments. I also felt some of the songs could have been cut and replaced with dialogue. Other than those two observations, I truly enjoyed it and props to the entire cast for wonderful performances.
Posted: 3/24/16 at 1:00am
I am not crazy about those pics or the tv ad. They are doing this sundrenched look and the tv ad pretty much focuses on her. Would like to have seen more scenes from the show. JMO
Posted: 3/24/16 at 1:47am
This thread convinced me to go... Let's just say, I wouldn't recommend anyone against seeing it... with the right expectations...
If you're looking for an old-fashioned musical structurally, this fits the bill. Caveat: Be open-minded about the genre of music, particularly with the lyrical simplicity. It's also pretty family-friendly (borderline PG13).
Some positive things included a great band, fantastic vocals and performances – that southern twang really works for some reason and Carmen Cusack's voice sounds beautiful with it. I didn't mind the bluegrass feel to the music... After all who doesn't love a good banjo? The jangly-ness is fun.
Carmen also sold the hell out of her role through the length of the show. She and Paul Nolan (also wonderful) shared palpable chemistry on stage. Their first song was funny, playful, and steamy... I was pleasantly surprised. The rest of Act 1 fell flat and I struggled.
I did smirk though when I heard "a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do when a man's gotta do what he's gotta do”. Otherwise I would have grimaced. I counted... The line only happens thrice but not back-to-back! But of course that was the lyric that got stuck in my head, ack!
The band playing you back in after intermission was fun, and I think the score should have utilized them in a more energetic fashion. Had Carmen or the cast done a reprise of "Sun's Gonna Shine" at the end that would've sold the whole show for me cuz I’m easy to please in that way! It's a wonderful song and would have been a great message to end on.
This is one of those instances where I really, really support the cast because they're doing such a great job, but despite a few cute and endearing moments, the book and score (specifically lyrics/melodies) come off pretty weak.
Still… With Act 1 mostly a write-off for me, I quite liked Act 2 and found it very heartwarming, though the ending was too abrupt for my tastes. Act 1 need to be much shorter and the resolution needed to last longer! However, if you are patient and willing to forgive easy-to-spot plot as a trade-off for the good performances, you will probably enjoy it.
