BRIGHT STAR
Directed by Cindy Nations
Music Direction by Christopher Turner
Choreography by Ansley Sherman
Performance Dates May 3-12, 2024
Inspired by a true story and featuring the Tony®-nominated score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s BRIGHT STAR tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ’40s. 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 beautiful melodies and powerfully moving characters, the story unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion. An uplifting theatrical journey that holds you tightly in its grasp, BRIGHT STAR is as refreshingly genuine as it is daringly hopeful.
AUDITIONS: Sunday, February 11, 2024 (see details below)
SPOTLIGHT SPONSOR: TC'S Midtown Grill
Bright Star is also presented in part by Johnny Passmore- Realtor, Coldwell Banker RPM Group, Haynes Ace Hardware, and the Conway Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Directed by Cindy Nations
Music Direction by Christopher Turner
Choreography by Ansley Sherman
Performance Dates May 3-12, 2024
Inspired by a true story and featuring the Tony®-nominated score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s BRIGHT STAR tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ’40s. 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 beautiful melodies and powerfully moving characters, the story unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion. An uplifting theatrical journey that holds you tightly in its grasp, BRIGHT STAR is as refreshingly genuine as it is daringly hopeful.
AUDITIONS: Sunday, February 11, 2024 (see details below)
SPOTLIGHT SPONSOR: TC'S Midtown Grill
Bright Star is also presented in part by Johnny Passmore- Realtor, Coldwell Banker RPM Group, Haynes Ace Hardware, and the Conway Convention and Visitors Bureau.
SEEKING A DIVERSE CAST FOR THE FOLLOWING ROLES, ALL ROLES ARE AVAILABLE:
(You must be 15+ to audition)
(You must be 15+ to audition)
Alice Murphy (20s, 30s, 40s) The actress in this role will play Alice as an adult, but also needs a youthful spark to play Alice in her late teenage years. Young Alice is a firecracker; strong willed, independent and destined for something greater than her town has to offer. Adult Alice is the editor of the Asheville Southern Journal; an intelligent and no-nonsense businesswoman, but with a kindness that makes her inherently likable. This role requires moments of intimacy. The actress in this role must have a strong singing voice, comfortable in folk and bluegrass styles. Featured in many songs.
Jimmy Ray Dobbs (20s, 30s, 40s) This actor will play Jimmy as an adult, but will also play Jimmy in his late teen years. Jimmy is Alice's first love. He is the Mayor's son, from a family of wealth and power, and is being groomed by his father for a similar future in the family business. Jimmy is an independent thinker who is not afraid to stand up to his father for what he believes in. He has a strong sense of personal responsibility and morality as well as a deep reserve of passion and emotion. This role requires moments of intimacy. Featured in many songs.
Billy Cane (20s) A young solider returning home from World War II. An aspiring young writer with an innocent charm. He is talented but unpolished and naive. Featured songs; "Bright Star," "Always Will" and multiple songs.
Margo (20s) A small town bookstore owner, she is bright, kind, and has been best friends with Billy for many years. She has feelings for Billy but he is too naive to see it. Featured songs; "Asheville," "Always Will" and others.
Daddy Cane (40s, 50s, 60s) Billy's father, a kind man who lives by himself in the woods following the death of his wife. He is a great father. Featured song; "She's Gone" and others.
Mayor Dobbs (40s, 50s, 60s) A political and financial powerbroker -an imposing and controlling presence, interested in protecting his son's future and his family name, but in reality is really only advancing his own self interest and identity. He is ultimately pushed to a point of extreme and irrevocable cruelty. Featured song; "A Man's Gotta Do" and others.
Mama Murphy (40s, 50s, 60s) Alice's mother. A warm, loving, sensible and hard working woman. Featured songs; "Please Don't Take Him," "The Sun Is Gonna Shine Again" and multiple ensemble songs.
Daddy Murphy (40s, 50s, 60s) Alice's father. A proud man with old world views on family and children. A strict, hard working man. He is a poor farmer, but respected in the community. Featured songs; "Firmer Hand / Do Right" and multiple ensemble songs.
Lucy (20s, 30s, 40s) A junior editor at the Asheville Southern Journal. Forthright and provocative with a sharp sense of humor. She is a strong modern working woman who is also a bit of a flirt. She works as a fun pair with Daryl. Featured song; "Another Round" and multiple ensemble songs.
Daryl (20s - 60s) An assistant to Alice at the Asheville Southern Journal. Funny, with a dry and sarcastic sense of humor. Great comedic timing. Can be harsh in his directness, but is innately likable. He works as a fun pair with Lucy. Featured in multiple ensemble songs.
Stanford (40s, 5os, 60s, 70s) Mayor Dobbs' lawyer and pseudo personal assistant. He is willing to do whatever Mayor Dobbs asks of him in order to maintain his position of power within the community.
Florence (20s, 30s, 40s) A friend of Margo's and co-worker at the bookshop. Fun and playful, she knows that Margo and Billy are meant to be together. Featured in multiple ensemble songs.
Edna (20s, 30s, 40s) A friend of Margo's and co-worker at the bookshop. Fun and playful, she knows that Margo and Billy are meant to be together. Featured in multiple ensemble songs.
Max (20s, 30s) A regular customer at Margo's bookstore. He has a crush on her, but it is not reciprocated. Max is not the sharpest tool in the shed. Featured in multiple ensemble songs.
Dr. Norquist (40s, 5os, 60s, 70s) The community doctor, who has been established in the community for many years. He knows everyone and everyone knows him. He is a kind man. Will also feature in several ensemble tracks and multiple ensemble songs.
Ensemble (Ages 15+) A group of strong and dynamic musical theatre performers that will be featured throughout the show in multiple songs and scenes. Strong singers who are comfortable harmonizing. Basic dance skills are a plus.
Jimmy Ray Dobbs (20s, 30s, 40s) This actor will play Jimmy as an adult, but will also play Jimmy in his late teen years. Jimmy is Alice's first love. He is the Mayor's son, from a family of wealth and power, and is being groomed by his father for a similar future in the family business. Jimmy is an independent thinker who is not afraid to stand up to his father for what he believes in. He has a strong sense of personal responsibility and morality as well as a deep reserve of passion and emotion. This role requires moments of intimacy. Featured in many songs.
Billy Cane (20s) A young solider returning home from World War II. An aspiring young writer with an innocent charm. He is talented but unpolished and naive. Featured songs; "Bright Star," "Always Will" and multiple songs.
Margo (20s) A small town bookstore owner, she is bright, kind, and has been best friends with Billy for many years. She has feelings for Billy but he is too naive to see it. Featured songs; "Asheville," "Always Will" and others.
Daddy Cane (40s, 50s, 60s) Billy's father, a kind man who lives by himself in the woods following the death of his wife. He is a great father. Featured song; "She's Gone" and others.
Mayor Dobbs (40s, 50s, 60s) A political and financial powerbroker -an imposing and controlling presence, interested in protecting his son's future and his family name, but in reality is really only advancing his own self interest and identity. He is ultimately pushed to a point of extreme and irrevocable cruelty. Featured song; "A Man's Gotta Do" and others.
Mama Murphy (40s, 50s, 60s) Alice's mother. A warm, loving, sensible and hard working woman. Featured songs; "Please Don't Take Him," "The Sun Is Gonna Shine Again" and multiple ensemble songs.
Daddy Murphy (40s, 50s, 60s) Alice's father. A proud man with old world views on family and children. A strict, hard working man. He is a poor farmer, but respected in the community. Featured songs; "Firmer Hand / Do Right" and multiple ensemble songs.
Lucy (20s, 30s, 40s) A junior editor at the Asheville Southern Journal. Forthright and provocative with a sharp sense of humor. She is a strong modern working woman who is also a bit of a flirt. She works as a fun pair with Daryl. Featured song; "Another Round" and multiple ensemble songs.
Daryl (20s - 60s) An assistant to Alice at the Asheville Southern Journal. Funny, with a dry and sarcastic sense of humor. Great comedic timing. Can be harsh in his directness, but is innately likable. He works as a fun pair with Lucy. Featured in multiple ensemble songs.
Stanford (40s, 5os, 60s, 70s) Mayor Dobbs' lawyer and pseudo personal assistant. He is willing to do whatever Mayor Dobbs asks of him in order to maintain his position of power within the community.
Florence (20s, 30s, 40s) A friend of Margo's and co-worker at the bookshop. Fun and playful, she knows that Margo and Billy are meant to be together. Featured in multiple ensemble songs.
Edna (20s, 30s, 40s) A friend of Margo's and co-worker at the bookshop. Fun and playful, she knows that Margo and Billy are meant to be together. Featured in multiple ensemble songs.
Max (20s, 30s) A regular customer at Margo's bookstore. He has a crush on her, but it is not reciprocated. Max is not the sharpest tool in the shed. Featured in multiple ensemble songs.
Dr. Norquist (40s, 5os, 60s, 70s) The community doctor, who has been established in the community for many years. He knows everyone and everyone knows him. He is a kind man. Will also feature in several ensemble tracks and multiple ensemble songs.
Ensemble (Ages 15+) A group of strong and dynamic musical theatre performers that will be featured throughout the show in multiple songs and scenes. Strong singers who are comfortable harmonizing. Basic dance skills are a plus.
AUDITION DETAILS AND AGREEMENT
AUDITIONS: Auditions are available for ages 15+ and will be held on Sunday, February 11 at Red Curtain Theatre in Downtown Conway (913 W Oak Street). Please be aware that not all who audition are guaranteed a role. If you unable to attend auditions on February 11, please contact us at [email protected] for details regarding video submission. You will schedule an audition appointment as part of this sign up process.
AUDITION PREPARATION: Please prepare 32 bars of a song from the show or in the style of the show and come with a backing track for your accompaniment. We will have a speaker available to play your accompaniment. We may ask you to do a cold reading during your audition. You will also be asked to learn a short dance sequence with our choreographer. You can expect your audition to take 30-45 minutes.
REHEARSALS: Because RCT has overlapping rehearsal schedules, the following schedule has been laid out for Bright Star. We will follow this schedule as closely as possible, but it is possible that additional rehearsals may be added if needed. Rehearsals will be held from 6-9pm, with rehearsals going later the week of April 29.
WEEK OF:
March 11 (Wed, Thu)
March 18 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu)
March 25 (Wed, Thu)
April 1 (Wed)
April 8 (Mon, Tue, Wed)
April 15 (Mon, Tue, Fri)
April 22 (Mon, Tue, Fri)
April 29 (Mon, Tue, Thu - tech/dress)
May 6 (Thu - brush up rehearsal)
In addition, there will be tech rehearsals and a photo call the weekend of April 27 (Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 12-7pm)
PERFORMANCES: Performances are scheduled as follows:
Friday, May 3 at 7:30pm
Saturday, May 4 at 7:30pm
Sunday, May 5 at 2:30pm
Friday, May 10 at 7:30pm
Saturday, May 11 at 7:30pm
Sunday, May 12 at 2:30pm
If needed, additional performances may be added as follows:
Sunday, May 5 at 7:30pm
Saturday, May 11 at 2:30pm
Sunday, May 12 at 7:30pm
COSTUMES: Each cast member will be responsible for providing their own costume for this production. They will work closely with the director and a costumer to accomplish this.
ATTENDANCE POLICY: Attendance at rehearsals is extremely important when preparing for such a large production and we encourage each cast member to be at every rehearsal they are called to if possible. We ask that all known conflicts are communicated during audition signups. Attendance at all rehearsals April 27 through performances is required. Not every cast member will be required to attend every full rehearsal. An excessive amount of missed rehearsals, as determined by the director, will be cause for removal from the production. Exceptions to this rule due to extenuating circumstances are at the discretion of the director.
ATTITUDE AND BEHAVIOR POLICY: Red Curtain Theatre's mission is to provide an atmosphere that nurtures and inspires actors of all ages and believes in fostering a safe environment for all artists. We follows a strict policy of equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism. Any behavior (speech, action, etc.) that does not strive to uphold these values will not be tolerated and will lead to the cast member's removal from the production by the director and/or producer. In addition, negative attitudes and/or behavior will not be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to the use of foul language, disrespect toward the director, crew, volunteers and/or cast members, bullying, teasing and unwillingness to participate.
AUDITION PREPARATION: Please prepare 32 bars of a song from the show or in the style of the show and come with a backing track for your accompaniment. We will have a speaker available to play your accompaniment. We may ask you to do a cold reading during your audition. You will also be asked to learn a short dance sequence with our choreographer. You can expect your audition to take 30-45 minutes.
REHEARSALS: Because RCT has overlapping rehearsal schedules, the following schedule has been laid out for Bright Star. We will follow this schedule as closely as possible, but it is possible that additional rehearsals may be added if needed. Rehearsals will be held from 6-9pm, with rehearsals going later the week of April 29.
WEEK OF:
March 11 (Wed, Thu)
March 18 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu)
March 25 (Wed, Thu)
April 1 (Wed)
April 8 (Mon, Tue, Wed)
April 15 (Mon, Tue, Fri)
April 22 (Mon, Tue, Fri)
April 29 (Mon, Tue, Thu - tech/dress)
May 6 (Thu - brush up rehearsal)
In addition, there will be tech rehearsals and a photo call the weekend of April 27 (Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 12-7pm)
PERFORMANCES: Performances are scheduled as follows:
Friday, May 3 at 7:30pm
Saturday, May 4 at 7:30pm
Sunday, May 5 at 2:30pm
Friday, May 10 at 7:30pm
Saturday, May 11 at 7:30pm
Sunday, May 12 at 2:30pm
If needed, additional performances may be added as follows:
Sunday, May 5 at 7:30pm
Saturday, May 11 at 2:30pm
Sunday, May 12 at 7:30pm
COSTUMES: Each cast member will be responsible for providing their own costume for this production. They will work closely with the director and a costumer to accomplish this.
ATTENDANCE POLICY: Attendance at rehearsals is extremely important when preparing for such a large production and we encourage each cast member to be at every rehearsal they are called to if possible. We ask that all known conflicts are communicated during audition signups. Attendance at all rehearsals April 27 through performances is required. Not every cast member will be required to attend every full rehearsal. An excessive amount of missed rehearsals, as determined by the director, will be cause for removal from the production. Exceptions to this rule due to extenuating circumstances are at the discretion of the director.
ATTITUDE AND BEHAVIOR POLICY: Red Curtain Theatre's mission is to provide an atmosphere that nurtures and inspires actors of all ages and believes in fostering a safe environment for all artists. We follows a strict policy of equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism. Any behavior (speech, action, etc.) that does not strive to uphold these values will not be tolerated and will lead to the cast member's removal from the production by the director and/or producer. In addition, negative attitudes and/or behavior will not be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to the use of foul language, disrespect toward the director, crew, volunteers and/or cast members, bullying, teasing and unwillingness to participate.