Bright Star

Columnist Willie Plaschke has penned a nice feature article about Bright Star and the close of Landmark’s season in The Press Telegram and Grunion Gazette.

Read the full feature here and excerpts below.

The Long Beach Landmark Theatre Company will close its season on a stunning note with “Bright Star” — the Tony-nominated musical from Steve Martin and Edie Brickell.

Under the direction of Megan O’Toole and with musical direction by Curtis Heard, Landmark’s staging features an ensemble cast and live on-stage musicians playing banjo, fiddle, guitar, and piano, living up to the show’s Appalachian-inspired heart.

“This production continues our season-long exploration of how time shapes identity and relationships,” said O’Toole. “’Bright Star’ reminds us that healing often lies in the spaces between past and present.”

“People seem to really be excited about Steve Martin making another splash in Long Beach,” notes producer Jay Dysart. “Many know him as a brilliant comedian, but ‘Bright Star’ showcases his exceptional gift for storytelling through music.”

While “joy and sorrow never last” (as Alice Murphy sings at the top of the show), those vital emotions can still be captured for an evening of heartfelt theater in our own backyard.

The Long Beach Post highlights Landmark’s production of Bright Star for this week. Read the full article on the Long Beach Post

From the article:

Landmark’s signature commitment to musical excellence is in full effect with this production, featuring a strong ensemble cast and soaring vocals alongside a unique on-stage bluegrass-inspired orchestra. The immersive score perfectly captures the spirit of the American South inside the magnificent and historic sanctuary of the First Congregational Church of Long Beach.

Don’t miss this enchanting theatrical experience in the heart of Downtown Long Beach, running from May 30 through June 15. With ticket prices ranging from $35 to $65, “Bright Star” promises to be an unforgettable evening of story, music, and magic that will leave audiences uplifted and inspired.

Landmark has released another exclusive Music Video from Bright Star – exclusively for donors to Landmark’s “Watch Landmark” video service. This is Alice Murphy and Jimmy Ray Dobbs duet “I Had a Vision”, sung by Brooke Wittenmeier and Eric Dobson, and is part of a series of studio music videos that will be made available on Watch Landmark.

Landmark has released another exclusive Music Video from Bright Star – exclusively for donors to Landmark’s “Watch Landmark” video service. This is Margo and Billy’s duet “Always Will”, sung by Rosie Quintana and Malakai Howard, and is part of a series of studio music videos that will be made available on Watch Landmark.

A wonderful feature piece about Landmark’s forthcoming main stage production of Bright Star has been published in the Long Beach Post. Below are a few excerpts, and please read the full article online.

The Long Beach Landmark Theatre Company is gearing up to stage “Bright Star” with a full orchestra and live musicians performing alongside the actors beginning May 30 at the First Congregational Church of Long Beach.

The Landmark describes the musical as having a “rich, authentic bluegrass score” featuring fiddle, guitar, piano and banjo — a quintessential American instrument, with roots in stringed African instruments replicated by enslaved peoples in the South. The banjo and ballad singing are still integral to the southern Appalachian region of North Carolina, where the play is set.

– Anita Hill, Long Beach Post

Wittenmeier joins an impressive cast of 20, directed by Megan O’Toole, in bringing to life this “compelling story of love, loss and redemption,” as the Landmark describes it.

“’Bright Star’ shows us how the past and present interweave to shape who we become,” says O’Toole

Landmark has released the first exclusive Music Video from Bright Star – exclusively for donors to Landmark’s “Watch Landmark” video service. This is Alice Murphy’s song “If You Knew My Story”, sung by Brooke Wittenmeier, and is the first of a series of studio music videos that will be made available on Watch Landmark.

Landmark’s production of Bright Star is featured in The Beachcomber this week.

Under the direction of Megan O’Toole, with musical direction by Curtis Heard, this production features a talented ensemble cast and a full orchestra.

“This production continues our season-long exploration of the unique passage of time and its profound impact on our lives and relationships,” says Artistic Director Megan O’Toole. “Like our breakthrough production of Groundhog Day this fall, Bright Star shows us how the past and present interweave to shape who we become.”

“We’re incredibly excited to share this side of Steve Martin’s artistic range with Long Beach,” adds Producer Jay Dysart. “Many know him as a brilliant comedian, but Bright Star showcases his exceptional gift for storytelling through music.”

Landmark is proud to introduce the cast of our Spring main stage musical Bright Star by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell. We could not be more thrilled with the talent that is bursting forth from this incredible ensemble.

Tickets are on sale now for Bright Star, which opens May 30 and runs for 3 weekends until June 15.

Inspired by a real event and featuring the Tony-Nominated Score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, this enchanting musical tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and 40s. This rich tapestry weaves together two chapters in the life of literary editor, Alice Murphy. When Alice meets a young soldier just home from World War II, their unique connection sets her on a journey to understand her past – what she discovers has the power to transform both of their lives.