The Nebraska Repertory Theatre, in association with UNL Opera, presents “Bright Star” April 16-26 in the Howell Theatre. For showtimes and tickets, visit the Nebraska Rep website.
“Bright Star,” with music, book and story by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, is a bluegrass-infused musical that weaves together past and present as it follows a woman’s search for redemption and reunion in 1940s North Carolina.
The production is directed and choreographed by Robert Pieranunzi, a member of the original Broadway company. The music director is Suna Gunther, assistant professor of voice in the Glenn Korff School of Music.
“’Bright Star’ takes us through a journey between two eras full of joy, fear, unapologetic love, judgment and what ifs,” Gunther said. “It leaves us feeling the power of fate and love above all. Audiences can expect a beautiful roller coaster of a love story.”
The orchestra for the musical includes banjo, mandolin and fiddle, Gunther said, and the cast has been learning how to hambone.
“We’ve all been exploring our inner Appalachia," Gunther said. "Its songs run the gamut between down-to-earth, fun, heartfelt, heartbreaking, intense and deeply meaningful.
“Students are tackling this score and script with all of their enthusiasm and artistry. I’ve been very proud of how much I’ve seen them grow in two short weeks of rehearsal.”
Teagan Bade, a senior music education major from Hickman, plays Alice, who she says lights up a room.
"Along the way, her light dims, and she isolates herself in her successful career," Bade said. "But even through any time in her life, she never falters in her strength and resilience. As the show progresses, you see the light start to slip through the cracks.”
Joey Westerdale, a sophomore in secondary English education in the College of Education and Human Sciences, from Papillion, plays Billy Cane, an optimistic young man returning home from World War II to become a writer.
“The story will make you laugh and cry at times but ultimately leaves you feeling a warm sense of hope,” Westerdale said. “What I love most about this show is its heart. Its earnest, beautiful and hopeful story is enhanced by a score that feels unique and homegrown.”
Gunther said she enjoys these collaborative productions between the Glenn Korff School of Music and the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film. This is her third year working on a joint musical production for the two schools.
Westerdale said the production offers something audiences won’t find anywhere else.
“I want people to know how special this production will be,” Westerdale said. “There is truly no other show like ‘Bright Star,’ and our creative team is amazing.”
