News at 4Cs

Cape Cod Community College Performing Arts Program Brings Tony Nominated “Bright Star” to the Tilden Arts Center

The Tilden Arts Center and the Performing Arts Program at Cape Cod Community College (4Cs) will bring “Bright Star,” a 2016 Tony Nominee for Best Musical, to the Tilden Arts Center on their West Barnstable campus starting April 11. Created by comedy legend and acclaimed banjoist Steve Martin and Grammy winner Edie Brickell, “Bright Star” is a bluegrass musical that tells the life of literary editor Alice Murphy.

“Bright Star takes a very clear, unclouded look at the lives of young women in the 1920s,

particularly in small rural communities,” said Vana Trudeau, Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator for the Performing Arts Program at 4Cs and the Director of the show. “Steve Martin and

Edie Brickell‘s music evokes a wide range of emotions from the most precious of young loves to

the deepest depths of heartache. The bluegrass score carries us up and down the peaks and

valleys of Alice’s life much like the Blue Ridge Mountains that provide the backdrop for this

story.”

In addition to Trudeau (Dennis Port) the production team includes visiting artists Ronn

Campbell (Kennewick, WA; lighting designer), Sarah Fachada (Marstons Mills; music director)

and Fran Lautenberger (Orleans; costume designer), as well as Tilden Arts Center Technical

Director Brian Rice (Yarmouthport), Assistant Technical Director Kendra Murphy (East

Falmouth; Master Electrician), adjunct faculty members Matt Kohler (West Yarmouth; scenic

design), Brandon Simmons (choreographer), and Jess Wilson (Onset, intimacy/consent

coordinator), and student stage managers Natalia Molina (Sandwich), Bella Andrini (Mashpee)

and Eamon Welch-Viens (Marstons Mills).

The musical ensemble, led by Fachada on piano, also features several local folk and bluegrass

talents including Tim Dickey (Truro) on banjo, Jo Miller on fiddle, Judy Yaldatel (Hyannis) on

upright bass and Ken Rogers (Hyannis) on drums. “Engaging local musical talent enriches our

college theatre productions and fosters connections across generations and diverse lived

experience,” Trudeau said. “The result is a vibrant and beautiful blend of voices and music that will have audiences humming and tapping their feet on the ride home.”

The cast includes 4Cs students Susanna Creel (Chatham), Wyn Barrows (Mashpee), Raven Berry (Brewster), Samantha Boragine (Raynham), John DellaMorte (Sandwich), Caroline Lane (Cataumet), Charlie Lane (Cataumet), Andrea Molina (Sandwich), Brianna Malcolm (West Yarmouth), Jack

Martin (Bourne), Connor McLeod (Brewster), Emily Mello (Sagamore Beach), Tony Deneault (Mashpee), Julio Rivera (West Harwich), Tom Frederick (Lakeville), Gwen Lyons (Marstons Mills), community actors Liz Argo (Yarmouth), Virginia Ohlson (West Barnstable), Taylor Read (Mashpee), Dan Svirsky (South Yarmouth), Dan Wehncke (Dennis Port) and Dan Zajac (East Falmouth), as well as 4Cs staff

member Patrick Preston (Falmouth).

“Bright Star” opens in the Studio Theatre of the Tilden Arts Center Thursday April 11 at 7:30

p.m. and continues April 12, 13; 18, 19 and 20 at 7:30 pm with Saturday matinees on April 13 and

20 at 2:00 pm. Ticket prices range from $5-25, with a “pay-what-feels-fair” option and may be

reserved by calling the Tilden Arts Center Box Office at 774.330.4044 or by visiting

https://TildenArtsCenter.Ludus.com.

Be advised that the musical includes depictions of misogyny, staged physical and emotional

intimacy and simulated violence against an infant. For more information or for accommodation requests, please contact Vana Trudeau at 774-330-4766 or email [email protected].