The Nebraska Repertory Theatre, in association with UNL Opera, presents “Bright Star” April 16-26 in the Howell Theatre.
For showtimes and tickets, visit https://nebraskarep.org.
“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 Glenn Korff School of Music Assistant Professor of Voice Suna Gunther.
“’Bright Star’ takes us on 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.”
Gunther said “Bright Star” is a bluegrass musical.
“The orchestra includes banjo, mandolin and fiddle, and the cast has been learning hambone,” she said. “We’ve all been exploring our inner Appalachia. Its songs run the gamut between down-to-earth, fun, heartfelt, heartbreaking, intense and deeply meaningful.”
Gunther said the cast is doing well with the music.
“Students are tackling this score and script with all of their enthusiasm and artistry,” she said. “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, Nebraska, plays Alice.
“Alice is one of those people who light up the room when they walk in,” Bade said. “She truly enjoys life and everything it can offer her. Along the way, her light dims, and she isolates herself in her successful career. 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.”
Bade said she loves being able to convey a woman’s story.
“One that tells a narrative of independency and strength. Women have fought and clawed their way to be where we are now, and to get to know this particular woman on such a vulnerable level has been incredible,” she said. “Even though she is a fictional character, there are so many women that can relate to this one.”
Bade also enjoys the fun, bluegrass music.
“There is heart and soul in every piece with stunning harmonies, which makes it that much more enjoyable to perform,” Bade said. “This is one of those shows where you can’t help but reflect on your own life. Bring your tissues.”
Joey Westerdale, a sophomore in secondary English education in the College of Education and Human Sciences, from Papillion, Nebraska, plays Billy Cane.
“Billy Cane is an earnest, charming and optimistic young man who returns home from World War II in hopes of fulfilling his lifelong dream of becoming a writer,” he said.
Westerdale said audiences should expect to be moved by the story.
“The story will make you laugh and cry at times but ultimately leaves you feeling a warm sense of hope,” he 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.”
Adian Upton, a senior theatre major from Omaha, Nebraska, plays Daddy Cane.
“Daddy Cane is Billy’s recently widowed father,” he said. “He is a compassionate and jovial character in this story, which sets him apart from some of the other fathers who are a bit more rigid and stoic in how they raise their children.”
Upton said one of the most compelling aspects of the production is the story’s dual timelines.
“My favorite part of this show is seeing some of these characters moving through the different time periods and getting to witness the timelines finally connect in the end,” he said. “The majority of the story is told through the music, so it’s nice to build that ambience with the bluegrass score.”
Emerson Mattson, a junior acting major from San Antonio, Texas, plays Mama Murphy, who is Alice’s mother.
“She can be a little tough, but she is always optimistic in the face of hardships,” she said. “She just wants the best for her daughter. I have loved taking her qualities of positivity into my own life. She reminds me of my own mother, who continues to tell me that the sun will shine again in the darkness.”
Coming from Texas, Mattson said the music has a nostalgic flair for her.
“The music has a country, bluegrass feel, which is nostalgic for me,” she said. “The music reminds me of community and families coming together to laugh and dance.”
Mattson said audiences will also notice the design of the production.
“Audiences should expect to be wowed by the set, lighting and costumes, not just the singing and acting,” she said. “The amount of time that our designers have put into researching the time periods in the show has been extremely thorough and precise, and I cannot wait for it to be put to life. I hope audiences can feel a sense of community being with one another, dancing along to the music.”
Glenn Korff School of Music alumnus Trey Meyer (M.M. 2018; D.M.A. 2021) is portraying the Mayor.
“Trey is a fantastic performer, singer and colleague,” Gunther said. “I’m so happy that our students have him as a role model, and that he’s been able to share his talents with UNL in yet another way with this production. His portrayal of the Mayor is incredibly powerful.”
Gunther said they have had a good experience working with Pieranunzi as director and choreographer.
“He brings such a high level of detail and artistry to his work with the cast,” she said. “Not a moment of this show is wasted. He really brings out the best in these students. I’m especially excited for audiences to see his choreography—it’s beautiful.”
Bade said Pieranunzi is a one-of-a-kind person.
“You can tell he cares about this show and about every one of us,” she said. “He has created a loving and welcoming culture for us to step into every day no matter what is happening in the outside world.”
Upton is enjoying working with Pieranunzi.
“He has such a connection to this show since he was in the original cast and was involved with a few more productions of it later on,” he said. “It has been a joy to hear what this show means to him, but also to be able to find out what it means to us as well. Bobby puts in so much effort to make sure that everyone involved has a voice and feels seen.”
Gunther enjoys these collaborative productions between the Glenn Korff School of Music and the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film.
“This is my third year working on our joint musical production. Every year I feel our connections strengthening along with our products,” Gunther said. “It is so gratifying to see students from across campus learning from one another’s strengths and experiences in the rehearsal room and blending all of those experiences to ultimately tell a really powerful story together.”
Westerdale said the production offers something audiences won’t find anywhere else.
“I want people to know how special this production will be,” he said. “There is truly no other show like ‘Bright Star,’ and our creative team is amazing.”
Mattson highlighted the emotional core of the production.
“Continue to hold onto hope because everything has its own perfect timing,” she said. “Wait out the storm to find that sunshine.”