Bright Star begins previews at Cort Theatre tonight

New original musical Bright Star, written by Emmy winner Steve Martin and Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Edie Brickell, begins performances at the Cort Theatre tonight, before an official opening on 24 March 2016. It is currently booking through to 9 October 2016.

Synopsis: "Inspired by a true event, the wholly original new musical Bright Star tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and 40s. When successful literary editor Alice Murphy meets an ambitious young soldier just home from World War II, their connection inspires Alice to confront her past. Together they discover a stunning secret with the power to transform their lives."

The cast of Bright Star includes Carmen Cusack (Alice Murphy), A.J. Shively (Billy), Michael Mulheren (Mayor Josiah Dobbs), Paul Alexander Nolan (Jimmy Ray Dobbs), Hannah Elless (Margo Crawford), Stephen Bogardus (Daddy Cane), Dee Hoty (Mama Murphy), Stephen Lee Anderson (Daddy Murphy), Emily Padgett (Lucy Grant), and Jeff Blumenkrantz (Darryl Ames), along with ensemble members Maddie Shea Baldwin, Allison Briner, Max Chernin, Patrick Cummings, Sandra DeNise, Richard Gatta, Lizzie Klemperer, Michael X. Martin, William Michals, Tony Roach, Sarah Jane Shanks and William Youmans.

Directed by Walter Bobbie, the creative team behind Bright Star features choreography by Josh Rhodes, scenic design by Eugene Lee, costume design by Jane Greenwood, lighting design by Japhy Weideman, sound design by Nevin Steinberg, musical supervision by Peter Asher, musical direction and vocal arrangements by Rob Berman, and orchestrations by August Eriksmoen.

Bright Star had its world premiere at The Old Globe in San Diego and went on to play a limited engagement at the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater in Washington, D.C. from 2 December 2015 until 10 January 2016, with an official opening night on 17 December 2015.

Bright Star is produced on Broadway by Joey Parnes.

- by Tom Millward