Saddle up and get ready for Wayzata High School’s new winter 9-10 musical, Bright Star! Written by the comedic genius Steve Martin in collaboration with Edie Brickell, Bright Star is a sort-of-new musical about a long lost family with a Bluegrass twist. This show, set in the American South, features classic folk instruments such as the guitar, mandolin, spoons, and the long awaited return of the banjo, which we haven’t seen since Oklahoma!
Bright Star is a heart-warming and heart-wrenching story about family, loss, and reunion set in the 1940s. Based on the folk tale of the Iron Mountain baby, the story follows a young man named Billy Cane, an aspiring writer hoping to work for the Asheville journal. Along the way, he meets a publisher named Alice Murphy, a mother with a tragic past of loss and heartbreak.
It’s official; tech week for this show is starting soon, and the cast is here to give a few comments on their amazing production.
What is your favorite line?
“Don’t break the chain!”
-Isaac Martin, Featured dancer; quote from The Mayor
“Mr. Cane, I don’t have time to hand out compliments I don’t need, but you will write better once you find your voice.”
-Dakota Deguzman, Alice Murphy
“It’s conceivable.”
-Nathan Romano, Jimmy Ray
“There’s a jewelry store in Asheville!”
-Olivia Beecher, Florence
“Ten bucks! I’m rich!”
-Daniel Johnson, Billy Cane
“You don’t have to carry on a conversation. You ever see me carry on a conversation with your mother?”
-Sammy Terres, Mayor
What’s your favorite musical number?
“My favorite dance number is ‘Another Round.’ My favorite song in the show is ‘Sun is Gonna Shine Again.’”
-Daniel Johnson
“I really like ‘Another Round,’ but all the songs are so good. I can’t choose.”
-Olivia Beecher
“‘Heartbreaker’: Nathan does a really good job in that one.”
-Gus Lafrance
The song “Another Round” seems to be fan favorite among the cast. It’s a happy-go-lucky party song involving high energy swing dancing accompanied by a 1940s-style saloon music that sounds like something straight out of an old western movie. Jimmy Ray’s featured solo “Heartbreaker,” on the other hand, is a powerful and sobering song about, well, heartbreak. This tonal dichotomy of music is part of what makes this musical so interesting to listen to.
What are you excited for audiences to see at the performance?
“Just how well everyone’s put their effort into the show.”
-Sammy Terres
“There’s a lot of technical elements to make it look cool.”
-Isaac Martin
“I am excited for people to see me telling Alice’s story instead of playing her character.”
-Dakota Deguzman
“Definitely, like, Sammy’s bag. The valise or whatever it’s called. But the bag, yeah.”
-Gus Lafrance
“I’m really excited for people to see how amazing the actors are in this show. Also, the rigged bag.”
-Olivia Beecher
If you, dear reader, are excited to see an emotional story, fantastic musical numbers, and apparently interesting technical stuff with a bag prop, make sure to buy tickets for Bright Star as soon as possible!
The show will run for a total of six performances over a total of four dates:
- Feb 20, 7:00 PM
- Feb 21, 1:00 PM, 7:00 PM
- Feb 27, 7:00 PM
- Feb 28, 1:00 PM, 7:00 PM
Tickets will be sold for $10 for students, $12 for seniors, and $15 for adults. There will also be a concession stand that sells water and snacks, along with purchasable stars and flowers to show appreciation for your fellow thespian friends. Tickets sell out fast, so be sure to grab seats while they’re still available to support Wayzata’s own Theatre and Music Department!
