Bright Star Appreciation Thread

Posted: 5/6/16 at 12:03pm

Its so interesting how other peoples opinion can sway you from going to see certain shows. I had been hearing so so thing about the new musical Bright Star since it's out of town tryout and had decided to skip the Broadway production altogether. But when the show garnered a Tony Nomination this week I decided to give it a shot last night and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised.  There were lots of great elements in Bright Star that I thought I point out to other people on the fence

1)The Cast! This cast is having a wonderful time doing the show.  You can tell they all really get along and believe in the material.  There isn't a weak link in the performance chain. Of course most of us have heard about the fantastic Carmen Cusack, but great to see Broadway Vets like Dee Hoty and Stephen Bogardus and a really wonderful supporting cast made up of Paul Alexander Nolan (great leading man), AJ Shively, Hannah Elless, and scene stealing Emily Padgett dancing for her dinner. 

2) The idea to put the band inside the main set piece, a small house that rolls and spins to almost every location on stage. The band being seen brings theatricality and authenticity to the southern bluegrass tone of the 1920's.  Using them in scenes sparingly (not as actors) as musicians at a dance or as a banjo player on the street are really great touches of charm and class.

3) The musical staging by Josh Rhodes! Using the entire chorus to lyrically set each scene with simple set pieces, to dance the show into the past and back to the present, to act as the energy in between characters. There are chorus members in almost every scene and song, like spirits from the past watching and supporting the action and it never feels invasive....not easy to do.  His staging gives the show an  dreamlike quailty, like a folktale told a campfire before bedtime.

4) The score by Eddie Brickell and Steve Martin. It's really lovely using folk, blues, bluegrass, country, gospel, and hymns, from the early 20th century.  It absolutely raises the roof throughout. You will be singing along before you even realize it.

I'm so glad i went to see if for myself. It absolutely deserves that final slot for Best Musical of the year

[BrockMButler]

Posted: 5/6/16 at 1:17pm

Standingovation79, how was attendance? This truly seems like the definition of a word of mouth show. It was totally not on my radar either until I gave the "first listen" on NPR a chance. By the end of "If You Knew My Story" I had dropped all my reservations and fallen in love. I'm hoping that with all of the Tony Nominations, Bright Star can become a sleeper success and enjoy a respectable run. The music is magical and I haven't been able to go a day without listening to the the OBCR since last week. Definitely at the top of my list for when I go to NY in June.

[Dancingthrulife2]

Posted: 5/6/16 at 1:41pm

I hope it will have a nice run just for Cusack. She deserves this at long last.

[Kensdad]

Posted: 5/6/16 at 1:45pm

Bright Star is a wonderful production. It has an enticing story, and the feel of a great musical from another era. Yet, the bluegrass music was a breath of fresh air that makes it something new and different. You do not have to be a fan of bluegrass to enjoy it though. I dare anyone who goes to see Bright Star not to fall in love with this show. It will make you laugh, cry, smile, and stomp your feet along the way.

[TFMH18]

Posted: 5/6/16 at 2:11pm

Yes! Thank you for this thread! I have been cheerleading for this show so hard since I first saw it. 

Like others, I had really no expectations going in (a friend invited me so I agreed to go). It ended, and I really liked it. But then I woke up the next morning and it hit me like a ton of bricks. I could not stop thinking about it. 

The person who said it's "word of mouth" is absolutely right. Everyone whom I have talked to that has seen it adored it so much, and all agreed that it caught them off guard how much they loved it. I would love nothing more than this show to run for a while and, yes, become a little sleeper hit (in keeping with its whole vibe honestly!), perhaps along the lines of Gentleman's guide-- and yes, I know that show won the Tony, but all these nominations should hopefully help out. 

[scripps]

Posted: 5/6/16 at 2:55pm

I love this charming show if only for reuniting Stephen Lee Anderson and Dee Hoty as husband and wife again. 

[gleek4114]

Posted: 5/6/16 at 3:33pm

Put me in the camp that adores this show. It's a wonderful tale of humanity told using some of the catchiest tunes on Broadway. Everyone is giving 150% to make this show the success it deserves to be. Carmen Cusack is giving a beautiful subtle performance that rocks you to the core. She seamlessly transitions between  17 and 39 at the blink of an eye. I too LOVE Jeff Bloominkrantz and Emily Padgett. Any time they were onstage it was musical comedy perfection. I really want nothing more than for this show to succeed. If things go moderately well in NYC I'd love to see them take it on tour. I know a show like this would translate very well to a subscription based audience. I know Cynthia is a front runner for the Tony (as she deserves to be), but I would be overcome with happiness and excitement if Carmen were to become the dark horse win for a truly remarkable performance. 

[Alessio2]

Posted: 5/6/16 at 3:39pm

I was in NYC two weeks ago and ended up seeing Bright Star as one of 8 shows total! I had no plans to see this at all, and my friend who I was staying with urged me to see it. Needless to say, it was my favorite show I saw on this trip! Just loved it!

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 5/6/16 at 3:49pm

I'm soooo happy to see all these great comments. I saw the show last week trough TKTS. My dad wants to see it in June, as he's a big bluegrass fan and a fan of Steve Martin (musically--not just as an actor). Given the ok reviews I didn't think it was a show I'd want to see twice, but I had seen/had tickets to all the other Tony eligible shows that are still playing except Tuck (which I saw the next night) and Disaster (which I didn't really want to see). So I figured it would be fun to see as many as I could before the nominations came out. If I didn't like it, my dad could see it in June and I could go see something else. I was so glad I went.  I would take anybody to this show and definitely want to see it again.  As I've now gushed on what feels like just about every imaginable thread, Cusack stole my heart in the show. Her performance was so delightful and moving. And her voice is unreal. I have no idea how she so effectively portrayed two different ages but she really pulled it off.  Plus Paul Alexander Nolan made me swoon.  I would've loved to see him get a nomination but there was so much competition in the featured category this year.  The rest of the cast was similarly delightful. The score is just lovely and I feel like I can listen to the cast recording over and over and over. I know some people have complained about the book and lyrics but it doesn't bother me that's it's simple and not realistic. I find it just a sweet, heart-warming story that made me laugh and cry. I have been telling everyone to go see it. 

 

I know Tony nominations don't always result in a sales boost, but hopefully they will here where no one can get tickets to the presumptive winner. I hope this show has a long life and had a positive effect on the careers of all the actors, but especially Cusack.

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 5/6/16 at 3:51pm

Also for those of you who like bluegrass and are in NY, go see Robber Bridegroom before it closes!!  Very very different than this show, but if you like the Bright Star score, I think you'd like it. 

[John Adams]

Posted: 5/6/16 at 4:26pm

Theater People is a podcast I love and listen to regularly. The host (Patrick Hinds) is hyper-enthusiastic in a "never-a-dull-moment" kind of way. Bright Star was the "Obsession of the Week" for the week of April 17th and you can listen to Hinds' interview with Paul Alexander Nolan at the link below.

As always, Hinds' conversations with his guests are interesting and a lot of fun. This interview features some insider info about Bright Star.

Episode 66: Paul Alexander Nolan

Updated On: 5/6/16 at 04:26 PM

[TFMH18]

Posted: 5/6/16 at 5:42pm

And Carmen Cusack is going to be the guest on the May 20 episode! Can't wait for that one. She fascinates me-- dying to know more about her. It's as though she's been hiding in plain sight from us!

[starcatchers]

Posted: 5/7/16 at 1:14am

This thread makes me ridiculously happy. I went into the show not really sure what to expect other than having been told it was something I would enjoy. The music was what caught me first. I was instantly drawn in. 

 

Josh Rhodes. Josh. Rhodes. As a dancer, I'm very critical (and not shy about it!) of choreography/staging in a musical. What he's done with Bright Star absolutely floored me. Yes, a lot of it is very simple, but it's the most beautiful and effective way to tell this story, and I can't imagine it being done any other way. 

I'm a sucker for quirky, fun characters and a good grammar joke, both of which are front and center with Margo and Billy (and if someone writes me a song to perform one day that's half as good as Margo's "Asheville," I'm in great shape). 

I feel like this goes without saying, but...Carmen Cusack. Absolutely unreal. Easily one of the most brilliant, captivating, REAL performances in my recent memory. There's a poster outside the theatre that says something to the effect of "Where have you been all our lives?" And I'd have to agree. 

Posted: 5/7/16 at 1:41pm

You know, attendance was pretty poor. Don't get me wrong, the people there were loving it, but for a show just Nominated for a Tony Award it didn't seem to be benefiting....1) the reviews were so so from the get go, and early word has been bad  2) I can't ever remember a time in Broadway History where more long running hits were playing at the same time....I mean think about it Wicked, Lion King, Jersey Boys, Hamilton, Aladdin, Beautiful, Chicago and Phantom...I know I'm forgetting a few.  the competition for new musicals is stiff before they even make it to Broadway 3) I think they've done a really lousy job connecting bonafide LEGEND Steve Martin to the show.  Look at Waitress, you can't even see the title without hearing Sara's name in the same breath. They need to do that with Steve more...honestly, he should hop in the show the way Sting did to try to save The last ship. He could play either father of the two romantic leads or he could show up as the banjo player in the band and they can give him a bit at the beginning in the middle and at the end.  Without that I joult I think this will close before the end of summer.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 5/7/16 at 4:48pm

Just caught Bright Star again this afternoon. This show is the hidden treasure of the season. I love it, and Carmen Cussack is a revelation.

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 5/7/16 at 9:02pm

standingovation79 said: "You know, attendance was pretty poor. Don't get me wrong, the people there were loving it, but for a show just Nominated for a Tony Award it didn't seem to be benefiting....1) the reviews were so so from the get go, and early word has been bad  2) I can't ever remember a time in Broadway History where more long running hits were playing at the same time....I mean think about it Wicked, Lion King, Jersey Boys, Hamilton, Aladdin, Beautiful, Chicago and Phantom...I know I'm forgetting a few.  the competition for new musicals is stiff before they even make it to Broadway 3) I think they've done a really lousy job connecting bonafide LEGEND Steve Martin to the show.  Look at Waitress, you can't even see the title without hearing Sara's name in the same breath. They need to do that with Steve more...honestly, he should hop in the show the way Sting did to try to save The last ship. He could play either father of the two romantic leads or he could show up as the banjo player in the band and they can give him a bit at the beginning in the middle and at the end.  Without that I joult I think this will close before the end of summer.

 

"

That's a shame. I saw it before the nominations and was in the orchestra. I didn't get a sense of how full it was but I know the rear side orchestra at least was open. And I got tickets at TKTS an hour ahead of time and got 10th row center. (Although that's not uncommon when I get single seats.). I was hoping the nominations would give them a boost. I guess we'll see Monday when the grosses come out. I'm hoping they are smart with their Tony performances and do something that will bring people in. 

 

I I have noticed a dramatic increase in marketing since the nominations. 

[ArtMan]

Posted: 5/7/16 at 9:19pm

All of this appreciation for Bright Star has influenced my decision to change from a rush ticket for Blackbird to this show.

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 5/7/16 at 9:37pm

Hope you love it!!  Those are about as different as two shows could be. I thought blackbird was excellent but can't say I enjoyed it.. It was uncomfortable and I don't want to see it again, but powerful. Bright star I would watch again and again and again!!

[nolanativeny]

Posted: 5/7/16 at 11:10pm

I too caught it this afternoon based on the Tony nom and what I had read here, and I sure am happy I did. While it seemed to drag just a tad here and there, I liked it overall.  And indeed, Carmen Cusack is phenomenal. I find it so hard to believe this is her Broadway debut! She's wonderful. I hope all the best for her career going forward. 

[starcatchers]

Posted: 5/7/16 at 11:56pm

By no means was it sold out, but the audience was a lot fuller tonight than I've seen, and they were LOVING it! Hopefully a good sign. 

[Sleepwalker]

Posted: 5/8/16 at 12:19am

I was there tonight and was completely enchanted!  It's a lovely production, the cast were great, and Carmen Cusack blew the roof off. I was in the Mezz which was pretty full. Today's tix was doing a brisk business and the concierge guy said demand is way up post Tony noms. I wish this show all the best.  

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 5/8/16 at 12:20am

Great news!!!

[UnwoundFantasies]

Posted: 5/8/16 at 1:17am

I was also there tonight, for my third time. I cannot rave about this show enough. Sure it has its flaws but what doesn't? Carmen Cusack is absolutely stunning and is giving an incredible and emotional performance. I'm rooting for her to win the Tony. If you haven't seen Bright Star yet, please go! You won't regret it. 

Also, agreed that tonight was more full than I've ever seen! Though I was sad that Carmen didn't get entrance applause (since I read on here she did Tuesday night) but I guess her entrance really doesn't allow much applause since she starts singing as soon as she turns around essentially. Also happy to report that she is the absolute nicest and you can tell how appreciative she is for all of this success.

[¿Macavity?]

Posted: 5/8/16 at 1:33am

I'm always happy to see a show find it's audience. I myself haven't seen it, but I would very much love to. Too bad I live so far away!

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 5/8/16 at 4:17am

I'll just leave this here for you fellow Cusack fans!!!http://www.playbill.com/article/meet-the-man-who-stopped-carmen-cusack-from-giving-up-theatre