Bright Star

Music, Book and Story by Steve Martin
Music, Lyrics and Story by Edie Brickell

Directed by Amy Fritsche
November 13-22 | E. Turner Stump Theatre

Inspired by a true story, "Bright Star" is a sweeping, heartfelt musical featuring a Tony®-nominated score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell. Set against the vibrant backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and 1940s, this deeply emotional tale explores love, loss, and the transformative power of redemption. When literary editor Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from World War II, he awakens her longing for the child she once lost. Haunted by their unique connection, Alice sets out on a journey to understand her past—and what she finds has the power to transform both of their lives.

With its stunning melodies and richly developed characters, "Bright Star" weaves an uplifting and poignant journey through time, filled with hope, heartache, and the promise of second chances. A beautifully genuine and soul-stirring musical, "Bright Star" captivates audiences with its deeply moving story and lively bluegrass score.

BRIGHT STAR is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide 1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 640, New York, NY 10036. www.theatricalrights.com


PERFORMANCES

All performances take place in E. Turner Stump Theatre, Center for the Performing Arts (1325 Theatre Drive, Kent, OH, 44242).

Friday, November 13
7:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 14
7:30 p.m.

Sunday, November 15
2:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 19
7:30 p.m.

Friday, November 20
7:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 21
7:30 p.m.

Sunday, November 22
2:00 p.m.


TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets are available through the Performing Arts Box Office. 

Get Tickets

 
Bright star logo

Music, Book and Story by Steve Martin
Music, Lyrics and Story by Edie Brickell

Produced by
Joey Pames, Sue Wagner, John Johnson 
Zebulon LLC, Jay Alix & Una Jackman, Len Blavatnik, James L. Nederlander, Carson & Joseph Glebrman, Balboa Park Productions
The Shubert Organization, Jamie deRoy/Catherine Adler/Cricket Jiranek.
In Association with
Rodger Hess, A.C. Orange International, Broadway Across America, Sally Jacobs & Warren Baker
Diana DiMenna, Exeter Capital, Agnes Gund, True Love Productions
and
The Old Globe

Directed by Amy Fritsche

Nov. 13-22, 2026
E. Turner Stump Theatre

 

 

World Premiere at the Old Globe, San Diego, CA on September 28, 2014. Barry Edelstein, Artistic Director Michael G. Murphy, Managing Director.

A workshop production of Bright Star was presented by New York Stage and Film & Vassar College at the Powerhouse Theatre, Summer 2013

BRIGHT STAR is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide 1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 640, New York, NY 10036. www.theatricalrights.com

Content Notes: homophobia, profanity, physical violence. 
Photography, videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

 

 

Production Credits

Choreographer: Brian Philip Boland
Music Director: Jennifer Korecki
Lighting Designer: David McKain
Sound Designer: Jeff Polunas
Scenic Designer: Jenica “Bug” Jenick
Technical Director: Steve Pauna
Costume Designer: Bridget Klein 
Stage Manager: Trynity Jordan
School Director and Producer: Tony Hardin

Cast of Characters and Orchestra

Cast of Characters

Lindsey Smits: Alice Older

Madelyn Chwojdak: Alice Younger

Ron Hubbard: Jimmy Ray

Annabelle Price: Margo

Carson Nickell: Billy

Stella Maes: Lucy

Noam Siegel: Daryl

Abby Clausing: Mama Murphy

Benjamin DeCapua: Daddy Murphy

Ashton Hinton: Daddy Cane

Hayden Toon: Mayor

Parker Lamy: Edna/Ensemble

Emmaline Seibert: Florence/Ensemble

Erik Peyton: Max/Ensemble

Taylor Cope: Stanford/Ensemble

TJ Gryzbowski: Doctor/Ensemble

Jordan Benjamin: Clerk/Ensemble

Sophia Burnell: Well Dressed Woman/Ensemble

Ayden Bilbrey: Stationmaster/Ensemble

Swings: Hayden Clark, Noah Seibel

Orchestra    

MD/Keyboard: Jennifer Korecki 

Fiddle: Wanda Sobieska

Fiddle/Viola: Ryan Detwiler

Guitar: Ryan McDermott

Guitar/Mandolin: Morgan Thomas Mills

Banjo: Josh Tucker

Bass: Gia Ricchiuti

Drums: Scott Thomas

Cello: Hannah Benjamin

Musical Numbers

Act I

"If You Knew My Story"
Alice Murphy

"She’s Gone"
Billy Cane, Daddy Cane

"Bright Star" 
Billy Cane

"Way Back in the Day" 
Alice Murphy, Ensemble

"Whoa, Mama" 
Jimmy Ray Dobbs, Alice Murphy, Ensemble

"Firmer Hand/Do Right" 
Daddy Murphy, Mama Murphy, Alice Murphy, Ensemble

"A Man’s Gotta Do" 
Mayor Josiah Dobbs, Jimmy Ray Dobbs

"Asheville" 
Margo Crawford

"Picnic Dance" 
Stanford Adams, Ensemble

"What Could Be Better" 
Alice Murphy, Jimmy Ray Dobbs

"I Can’t Wait" 
Alice Murphy, Jimmy Ray Dobbs, Ensemble

"Please, Don’t Take Him" 
Mayor Josiah Dobbs, Alice Murphy, Daddy Murphy, Mama Murphy, Stanford Adams

"A Man’s Gotta Do" (Reprise) 
Mayor Josiah Dobbs, Ensemble

Act II

"Sun’s Gonna Shine" 
Alice Murphy

"Heartbreaker"
Jimmy Ray Dobbs

"Another Round" 
Lucy Grant, Darryl Ames, Billy Cane, Ensemble

"I Had a Vision" 
Alice Murphy, Jimmy Ray Dobbs

"Always Will" 
Billy Cane, Margo Crawford, Ensemble

"I Can’t Wait" (Reprise) 
Ensemble

"So Familiar" 
Alice Murphy, Ensemble

"At Long Last" 
Alice Murphy, Ensemble

"Finale" 
Ensemble

Production Staff

Director: Amy Fritsche

Assistant Director/Choreographer: Brian Philip Boland

Music Director: Jennifer Korecki

Dance Captain: Erik Peyton

Costume Designer: Bridget Klein

Lighting Designer: David McKain

Sound Designer: Jeff Polunas

Scenic Designer: Jenica “Bug” Jenick

Properties Manager: Tomie Cotterman

Technical Director: Steve Pauna

Stage Manager: Trynity Jordan

Assistant Stage Managers: Emily Bolton, Lexi McGary

Stage Management Faculty Advisor: Tom Humes

Assistant Technical Directors: Stephen Lucash, Adam Wells

Technical Director Faculty Advisor: Steve Pauna

Wardrobe Supervisor/Assistant Costume Designer: Rowan Rexroad

Assistant Costume Designer: Sarah Leighliter

Drapers: Sarah D’Anella, Grace Cochran Keenan

Costume Crafts Head: Emily Bolton

Costume Design Faculty Advisor: Michelle Hunt Souza

Costume Production Faculty Advisor: Grace Cochran Keenan

Costume Shop Supervisor: Aimee Johnson

Wardrobe Crew: Hailey Adams, Makaya Arellano, Avery Lax, Alivia Mandigo, Ryleigh McNamee, Idris Noor-al-Dean, Bailey Shy, Katie Tanski

Associate Sound Designer: Megan Rentfrow

Assistant Sound Designer: Nicholas Anstine

TiMax Programmer: Eleanor Davis

Production Sound: Scott Carver

A1: Kylee Dennis

A2: Maddie Harris, Bella Vargo, Dezevelli Warren

Head Electrician: Colleen Harney

Programmer: Andrew Hall

Sound Design Faculty Advisor: Jeff Polunas

Light Board Operator: Andre Washington

Spot Coordinator: Joe Bartlett

Follow Spot Operators: Ivan Akiri, Rosie Orlando, Todd Phillips, Kai’Le Henry

Lighting Design Faculty Advisor/Associate School Director: Jakyung C. Seo

Lighting and Sound Supervisor: Bethy Winters

Associate Scenic Designer/Assistant Scenic Charge Artist: Abbey Visker

Scenic Charge Artist: Roman Hulver

Scenic Graduate Assistant: Peyton Leinweber

Carpenters: Adam Wells, Peyton Leinweber, Shane Gallo, Stephen Lucash, Alex Sweat, Maddie Martin, Rosie Orlando, Todd Phillips 

Interim Scenic Faculty Advisor: Larry Heyman

Scene Shop Supervisor: Jason Gates

Assistant Prop Managers: Emory Cornett

Paint and Properties Supervisor: Frankie Teuber

Fight Consultant: Brian Philip Boland

Intimacy Choreographer: Alexa Warmuth

Run Crew: Gianna Benedis, Harmon Busic, Matteen Kheder, Eden Lake, Dina Levin, Joe Raizis, Devon Renforth, Dakota Seals

School of Theatre and Dance Director/Producer: Tony Hardin

Performing Arts Box Office Manager Aimee Miller

Marketing, Communications and PR Director: Jen Crabtree

Marketing and Communications Specialist: Madi Getz