Bright Star's financial troubles — Page 2

Jordan Catalano said: "Shows like SCOTTSBORO and THE VISIT are exactly why we need another broadway house similar to Circle in the Square. Those need to be done in a smaller, intimate venue like that where not only they can be experienced in the way they need to be, but where they'll stand a chance at succeeding.



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I agree. It would be especially nice to finally have a modular Broadway space for these kinds of shows.

I read this in another thread somewhere, can't remember which exactly but it stuck with me. The show, I think, has done a really lousy job tying itself to the bonafide legend Steve Martin. Most people outside the Broadway realm have no idea that he has written a new musical, and maybe since the show is not a comedy they felt Steve's name wasn't an adequate representation, but either way, they really should have gone in stronger with the angle that he had written a Broadway musical.

This person likened the situation to Waitress/Sara Bareilles. It's true-- you cannot hear the show's name without it being immediately tied to Sara, and I think Bright Star really could have used that additional star power with Mr. Martin.

I completely disagree with you backwoodsbarbie. Bright Star is in no way more sophisticated than Tuck.

TFMH18 said: "I read this in another thread somewhere, can't remember which exactly but it stuck with me. The show, I think, has done a really lousy job tying itself to the bonafide legend Steve Martin. Most people outside the Broadway realm have no idea that he has written a new musical, and maybe since the show is not a comedy they felt Steve's name wasn't an adequate representation, but either way, they really should have gone in stronger with the angle that he had written a Broadway musical.

This person likened the situation to Waitress/Sara Bareilles. It's true-- you cannot hear the show's name without it being immediately tied to Sara, and I think Bright Star really could have used that additional star power with Mr. Martin.



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This is definitely true. I guess since it isn't a comedy they didn't think it would help that much but they should have at least pushed his name more. I didn't really know Steve Martin wrote Bright Star until a few weeks ago haha.

BroadwayConcierge said: "I had a friend inquire if Bright Star was a comedy. He was just about to buy tickets because he saw Steve Martin's name attached to it and assumed it would be a laugh riot. I felt embarrassed on the show's behalf that I had to explain to him that it wasn't the case... "

Didn't they see The Pink Panther?

Didn't the producers of a Christmas story take out large loans?

neonlightsxo said: "Well composed music, sure, but lyrics?



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Again, are you familiar with bluegrass and country music? It's about average, country people. I believe it is well written in the context of the genre.

"...Bright Star has very well composed music in the context of the genre."

I'm a musician and gladly confess I have no idea what such a statement even means, particularly seeing that both composers of the piece are known to not be able to read or write music (a la Mel Brooks), but rely upon an arranger to create the entire harmonic language/structure of their work.

I've been listening to bluegrass since childhood; my favorite theatre-bluegrass score is The Robber Bridegroom (the original, not so much the recent revised version). To me, Bright Star's score, although often very pretty, lacks wit, humor and character/situation specificity, things that The Robber Bridegroom achieves quite well.

Any score wherein a character not suffering brain damage sings “a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do when a man’s gotta do what he’s got to" is bad enough; that the lyric is repeated is simply unbearable.

newintown said: "Any score wherein a character not suffering brain damage sings “a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do when a man’s gotta do what he’s got to" is bad enough; that the lyric is repeated is simply unbearable."

THANK. YOU.

backwoodsbarbie said: "neonlightsxo said: "Well composed music, sure, but lyrics?



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Again, are you familiar with bluegrass and country music? It's about average, country people. I believe it is well written in the context of the genre."



I personally *am* familiar with bluegrass. My friend runs a state park that hosts a wonderful and well-attended Bluegrass Festival every August. I've heard some quality bands over the years. I agree with you that Bright Star's music is well crafted and quite good. As for the lyrics, I do not agree; I find them not "simple" but trite and lazy. You like it, and you're allowed to. But to imply that those who don't like it don't "understand bluegrass music" is just not accurate.

"I'm guessing the producers are clinging to two things- a Tonys performance will hugely bump up sales and interest and the possibility of winning a major award, especially since they can basically say "the score/book/actress/whatever that beat Hamilton!""

I don't know how much of a boost he'll be, but I imagine seeing Steve Martin out there might get some casual theatregoers interested... though how many casual theatregoers are watching the Tony's...?

I forget if any of the songs have "spoilers" but I would guess that they might pick "If You Knew My Story," "I Can't Wait," "Sun's Gonna Shine," "I Had A Vision," or "At Long Last" to highlight Carmen but one of the best songs for a Tony performance is one she's not in... which is "Another Round."

The show has a good cast and it's a fun time that leaves you feeling good when you leave the theatre. The story is just... kind of stupid at times and they refused to fix it. And I do think there are ways to fix it.