It wasn’t an off-Broadway touring company that brought Steve Martin’s hit musical to San Angelo. It was Angelo Civic Theatre, the oldest community theatre in the State of Texas. This year ACT’s celebrates its 140th year and they closed out the season in style with Bright Star by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell.
It is rare that community theatre offers a recent Broadway show you have probably never seen or maybe even heard of before. You do not want to miss this opportunity. People will be talking about this one.
The Story
It is just after the end of World War II and famous southern literary editor Alice Murphy lives in Asheville North Carolina. A young GI returned from the war wants to pursue his dream of being a writer. At first he is rebuffed by Alice until she sees something of herself in this ambitious writer. The story weaves in and out from the 1920s to the 1940s as Alice relives her own story–a life filled with love, family, duty, terrible heartbreak and second chances.
The show is based on a true story and I purposely did not read anything about the show before going. So, I had no idea what to expect. As a frequent theatre goer, that is unusual, especially with community theatre productions. The show is more often than not one I have seen before or at least is a story I know well–Oklahoma, The Odd Couple, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers for example.
The story was easy to follow and most of the actors were able to enunciate and project, both in speaking and singing, that I had no problem keeping up with what was happening. As with most opening night productions, some actors still need to tag their lines, and hit their cues on time, but that is not unusual. It was probably not even noticed by most of the audience. Opening night most casts are still polishing the production. But based on my experience, this cast will tighten that up and by next weekend they will be humming along.
Vocals Shine
The vocals shine throughout out this production, starting with the opening scene. They do not disappoint throughout. Some musicals give you the feeling that it is all about the music, and the story is secondary.
Not in this show. The music and lyrics are integral to the story and reveal the depth of the characters. You can certainly understand why the score was nominated for a Tony award.
Bright Star has sometimes been referred to in other reviews as a “blue-grass musical”. You certainly hear that influence, but it is not overdone. Even if you are not a fan of Steve Martin and The Steep Canyon Rangers, or blue-grass in general, you will enjoy this music and the show.
If you are a regular at ACT shows, the cast is a great mix of familiar and not so familiar faces. And it would not be a Steve Martin show if it weren’t funny. Even when the story is at its most serious it never descends into misery and melancholy. You can sense the hope just in the next scene, and the twists and turns will surprise you all the way to the very end.
I give Bright Star a 4 Star Rating. If you love musicals, you will not want to miss this one.
There is still one more weekend to catch this great show – June 13-15 with a matinee on Sunday June 15 at 2:00 p.m.
For more information and tickets visit Angelo Civic Theatre.
