'Bright Star' shines

Philip Shore

For the Randolph Hub

If you want to make a rainbow happen on the stage, it’s easier than you might think.  Preparation is the key. (Even spontaneity requires a basis.)  The light of that theatre techs call “the golden hour” doesn’t hurt.  And a prism of people who love what they are doing makes it go.

At the Sunset Theatre, during the time between March 2 and 10 a rainbow called Bright Star is going to happen.  Bright Star is a RhinoLeap Production, Rhinoleap being our home area professional theatre.  

A few evenings ago the rehearsal room at RhinoLeap filled with people from different places with different histories, many meeting for the first time, but all with the purpose of uniting in the creation of a musical show about love and redemption occurring in the Appalachians set to a thumping bluegrass score.

Bright Star written by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell.  Martin and Brickell are iconic names not necessarily thought of as bluegrass people, mountain people, or North Carolina people.  What they have done is to fashion, from a Missouri historical event (“The Iron Mountain Baby”), transposed to the Asheville area and other NC locations.  Thus making it our own, with a story as dear as “Poor Omie”.  This is a story of loving, losing, finding, redeeming set in the pre-WWII era, moving forward.

Steve Martin, an unlikely teller of a mountain tale, secured his fame as a zany funny man touring college campuses and as an outré comedian on TV.  To that ability he has added the writing of novels and plays and performing on banjo with the Steep Canyon Rangers.  Edie Brickell from her work as a vocalist with the New Bohemians and her songwriting, may be considered too cool to be the author of a roots story.  But--as surprising as the pairing might be, serendipitously, it works.

Bright Star received a Tony nomination and as well as Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards for a notable score.  It was produced regionally by Triad Stage to great acclaim.

Shirley Serotsky directs.  Her academic preparation has been thorough and career growth has been steady.   She has theatre degrees from Catholic University of America, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and attended the University of Michigan musical theatre program.  Her approach to the actors is warm and knowledgeable.  Other work has been with Hangar Theatre as artistic director in Ithaca, New York; adjunct professor at  Montgomery College, Rockville, Maryland; Kenan Fellow Mentor at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.  She says of Bright Star: “The setting of the show is the humble porch—a place of gathering, making music, telling stories—making community. Our approach also honors regional literary traditions, regional voices and the creation by Alice of an inclusive space.  We ask ‘What happens when vision doesn’t come to fruition? What happens next?’”

The production team includes Mark Dillon (Band Leader), Andrew Crowe (Music Director), Emily Doll (Co-Scenic Designer), Jennifer O’Kelly (Lighting Director and Co-Scenic Designer), Bailey Powell (Costume Designer), Eva Schramm-Hesse (Stage Manager), and Sara Tourek (Choreographer).

The acting company hales from all over: New Jersey, Wilmington, Seattle, West Virginia, Raleigh-Durham, Burlington, Greenville, Liberty, Asheboro, and elsewhere.  They have been drawn by the RhinoLeap organization under the leadership of Executive Director Jeremy Skidmore and Artistic Director Patrick Osteen.  This group has been deeply and beneficially influenced by both the North Carolina School of the Arts and the University of North Carolina Greensboro.

Cast members include Alex Bodine and Emi Surles serving as the Ensemble; Kira Geiger (Margo); JB Griffith (Daddy Murphy); Owen Harrison (Billy); Pedro Ka’awaloa (Daddy Kane); Bradley McBride (Darryl); Patrick Osteen (Jimmy Ray); Dianne Paukstelis (Mama Murphy); Robin Robertson (Mayor Dobbs); Claire-Frances Sullivan (Alice); and Soraiah Williams (Lucy).

Bluegrass music is the mainstay.  The band for the show is made up of Mark Dillon—banjo, guitar and mandolin; Sean Mulcahy—mandolin and guitar; Ally Young—piano, accordion, Cajon; Christen Blanton—violin and mandolin; and Ryan Mack—bass. 

All these actors and musicians combine their abilities to produce a layered story of…well, let some of the actors speak about their roles and from that piece together a summary of the show without giving away the plot.

Kira Geiger as Margo:  Margo is sweet and in love.  She’s funny and has spunk. She’s been in love with her childhood friend Billy maybe forever.  He returns from the War but doesn’t notice her the way she notices him. She remains supportive of him when he career begins to take off.  Will there be a happy ending?

Owen Harrison as Billy:  I’m excited to be playing Billy Cane.  This gives me a chance to sing the song “Bright Star”. Through almost constant setbacks and surprises, Billy never wavers on his optimistic outlook. He is not defined by the trauma of the War, instead he sets his eyes on a new goal, to become a published author.

Claire-Frances Sullivan as Alice Murphy:  Alice has a strong sense of self and is connected to her roots and family.  Fiery, compassionate, nuanced. Her reactions to difficult situations run from determined to playful to empathetic.  It’s an honor to get to tell her story.  Audiences will relate to the sturdiness and mischief of Alice and the other characters.

Patrick Osteen as Jimmy Ray:  A life-out-loud dreamer.  His father, the mayor of Zebulon, NC, disapproves of Alice as his choice of wife.  When she becomes pregnant, his father takes dramatic action.  Jimmy Ray is likeable and smart and yet we see how attractive he finds Alice precisely because he’s not match for her smarts. After a period of feeling lonely and guilty, we ultimately see Jimmy reunified with his family and much like the wide-open fella we met in the early scenes.

JB Griffith as Daddy Murphy:  Daddy Murphy raised his family the way he was—under an iron fist.  After family turmoil I try “to make it right” so as to quiet the neighbors.  Years later my little girl offers me the grace I lacked.

There’s plenty more story here, folks, plenty of colors.  Come, find out, and enjoy!

Show dates are March 2 through 10. Tickets: $20-$40. Tickets available at www.RhinoLeap.com  or in person at Bright Side Gallery (cash or check only/ NO CARDS. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., 170 Worth Street in Asheboro) or at the door of the Sunset Theatre, 234 Sunset Avenue, up to 60 minutes before each performance.