Riedel on Steve Martin keeping Bright Star open — Page 3

NJ_BroadwayGirl said: "Thanks. I mean as the writer, he really should be forced to sing that lyric."

he wrote the music, not the lyrics.

As long as more than half the seats are filled (In this case I believe it's closer to 70 percent) any good show is worth keeping alive because of future word of mouth and awards season. Below 50 for any length of time a show will always close regardless of funding because its simply too demoralizing.

Doesn't the show have 10 people on principal contracts? Maybe that's why it has a high operating cost.

A principal contract is not necessarily going to cost a production more than a chorus contract. The minimums are still the same.

BRIGHT STAR is a wonderful show. I went in expecting very little. As a matter fact I was kind of dreading it. BUT I knew VERY little about it. To my delightful surprise I fell in love with it. I found it moving, charming, and wonderful gem of a show. I was enthralled with Carmen Cusack. Never heard of her before and now would never miss her.

SO I found myself contemplating the shows troubles despite solid reviews and a rave from the NY Times. I do fault the press and marketing. However, unlike the others on this thread, I actually think selling Steven Martin's name is a mistake. I LOVE him, but I associate him with silly over the top comedy. I know he's done other stuff, but, the general public loves him from things like SNL, The Jerk, Father of the Bride, Cheaper By the Dozen, etc. It was his name that actually turned me off on the show before I saw it. And I'm a fan! I found myself asking why do I want to see a gothic southern romance written by Steve Martin? If he had written SOMETHING ROTTEN, that would have made sense. This did not so I was turned off. (Thankfully I was SO wrong, he's a wonderful theatre writer) However they press and marketing give no sense of what this who is. And to me that's one problem



The Second is a bias press who have a ridiculous obsession with pushing HAMILTON. Over and over again we hear about how HAMILTON is totally original and puts a new kind of music on Broadway. Well shouldn't BRIGHT STAR be mentioned in the same breath? It's totally originally (actually more original as it's not based off a book of a real person's life) And Bluegrass for a musical is as rare if not rarer than a rap musical.

My heart goes out to this team because it's a worthy show and bless Steven Martin for using his money to help the show have an extended life. He should be praised for this action not insulted.