'Bright Star': a Conversation
by Tribekah Jordan and Jessica Lynch
“Bright Star” shines bright at Cape Cod Community College this April.
Directed by Vana Trudeau and featuring 4Cs students, staff, alumni, and members of the community, “Bright Star,” written by Steve Martin (yes, that Steven Martin!) and Edie Brickell is set in both 1923 and 1945-1946. It follows Alice Murphy, a renowned magazine editor for The Asheville Southern Journal, as she tells her tragic story of love lost and found again. MainSheet reporters Tribekah Jordan and Jessica Lynch saw the show in the Studio Theatre of the Tilden Arts Center on April 12 and discuss their thoughts below. The production continues at Tilden April 18 - 20 at 7:30 p.m. with an additional show on April 20 at 2:00 p.m.
First impressions
Tribekah: As soon as we sat down in our seats before the play began, the band was playing. It was impossible to not notice the music. Jessica, you had mentioned that you “love bluegrass music,” which is what they were playing. I had never heard of bluegrass before. I wasn’t sure if that genre of country music would be bearable to listen to. (I have always been raised around hip hop, R&B, jazz. Country has never been in my musical category. So, this would be interesting to watch.) As the band kept playing, warming the audience up, I found myself delightedly amused. The musicians sat at the back of the stage, alternating between guitar and banjo to violin. They were able to transport me to a different place – to“Bright Star”’s setting of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina, with glimpses of 1923 and 1946.
Jessica: I was surprised to see the proximity of all of the seats to the stage. Where we sat, we were practically on stage with the performers. I think that added to the immersion of the show. Similar to Tribekah, the music from the live band stuck out to me. I felt the music playing prior to the show set the scene of the time period and brought the show to life even before it began.
The music as a whole
Tribekah: I have always loved musicals. “La La Land” is one of my favorite films. So, it came as no surprise for me to enjoy the lyricism “Bright Star” had to offer. But, once again, the element of it being solely bluegrass music and for it to have captured my attention was impressive. I found myself humming to the tune of “Sun’s Gonna Shine” on the drive home from the play that night.
Jessica: A lot of the songs were very catchy and upbeat. I found myself tapping my foot to the beat and couldn’t help but smile at how fun it was. The song I found that impacted me the most was “Way Back in the Day." Susanna Creel’s voice as Alice Murphy was beautiful. I had chills as she sang the song that introduces the viewer to the version of Alice in 1923.
Standout scene
Tribekah: There was a scene that was emotional in “Bright Star” from Act 1 that stood out. I don’t want to give too much of the story line away in case people want to see for themselves. But, I will say this: Creel gives a powerful performance in the show. Susanna reflected the pain of Alice so well, to the point where it broke my heart to watch this character go through such a sad conflict. I got chills when she sang through her tragedy.
Jessica: I echo Tribekah’s choice of scene. That particular scene at the end of Act 1 also stood out to me the most. The scene is full of heartbreak and loss that stuck with me long after curtain call. In addition to Creel’s outstanding performance, Dan Wehncke, a 4Cs alumni, put on a harrowing performance as Mayor Dobbs. With every line he sang and movement he made, I was stricken with fear over what his character would do next. He played the villain so well throughout the show.
The setting
Tribekah: I think with the amount of space the 4Cs production team had to work with, it was an impressive display of the 1920s and ’40s periods. The cast of “Bright Star” transported us there through their speaking, mannerisms, and dance styles, which were incredibly fun to see.
Jessica: On top of the set capturing North Carolina in the ’20s and ’40s, I felt that the actors and their costumes portrayed the time period accurately. The actors used very convincing Southern accents and the actors portraying male characters did a great job of replicating the misogyny women often faced during the time. I thought that the play also did a great job at showcasing the societal pressures placed upon women of the time period.
Quality of performances
Tribekah: All the cast did a wonderful job. I can’t give Susanna Creel enough praise. Aside from her, Dan Zajac, as Jimmy Ray Dobbs, Alice’s love interest, was shocking to hear. I was not expecting such a distinct and powerful voice to come out of him.
Jessica: I agree that Susanna Creel and Dan Zajac gave incredible performances. I also thought that Emily Mello and Jack Martin as Lucy and Daryl, respectively, did a fantastic job. They served as comic relief through the show and Martin’s portrayal of Daryl had me, and the audience, erupting in laughter anytime he was on the stage. Their song with Billy, played by Connor McLeod, “Another Round,” was so fun and well done.
Content warning
Tribekah: There was a sign outside the theater warning the audience about the play's contents. The storyline was devastating but is lifted with music and necessary humor. Life can be tragic at times. People shouldn’t be scared to face tragedy in art, and I am so glad I had the opportunity to see the play even with a sad scene or two. They gave the audience the perfect amount of warning without revealing the show.
Jessica: I thought it was very considerate of 4Cs to put a sign in the lobby with a content warning about the themes related to misogyny in the play. I think it may be helpful to note that for anyone who has lost a child or had a miscarriage, this play may be disturbing at times. I think Tribekah’s point about tragedy in art is excellent. Although the play was heartbreaking to watch at some points, it more closely mimicked the situations and emotions we may experience in life and made the ending all that more satisfying.
See it or not?
Tribekah: People should see “Bright Star” for its message – but also, for the fact that this is local art being offered to you. The crew of “Bright Star” has been preparing the show for months. I saw a sign where auditions for “Bright Star” were held in December, and the show is now being performed in April. So, you can imagine the amount of hard work the cast and crew have put into this production. Sometimes we discredit artists for being gifted with natural talent, and that things like performance or producing art come to them easily. Things like this take time to come together. Vana Trudeau, 4Cs performing arts manager, mentioned to the audience before the show began that the stage designs lighting took 10 days to work on and a guy came from Washington state to set it all up. The little things are not really little things. They all add up to one big thing. The show is beautiful.
Jessica: I think people should see “Bright Star” to experience the joy and laughter that comes through the dialogue and songs. “Bright Star” is a story of hope and resilience, and it’s inspiring to see the characters overcome their tragic pasts and move on to better futures. I also think that it’s important to see the show to become educated about the experience of women in the 1920s.
Messages
Tribekah: “Bright Star” had a few different meanings for me. A key message was that some things find us in life at the right time. That could be something as simple as being able to laugh through pain again, or something as complex as a newly returned love.
Jessica: I think the message of “Bright Star” is that we are not defined by our past and that love always prevails. I also think there is a message of perseverance and to not give up on the things we long for and believe in.
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