Bright Star

Bright Star

Inspired by a true event

June 30 – July 23, 2022

Music, Book & Story by Steven Martin
Music, Lyrics & Story by Edie Brickell

Directed by : Jerry Vess
Music Direction by Paige Rammelkamp
Choreography by Kristin Rigsby

2023 Recipient – Ruby Griffith Award for Outstanding Achievement in a Musical.

The Show

Inspired by a true event and featuring the Tony-nominated score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, 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.

Rated PG

The Director

Jerry Vess is a graduate of UNC-Asheville with a BA in Drama. He moved to Annapolis after touring the Southeast for five seasons with the Patchwork Players and four summers on the Outer Banks of North Carolina performing in “The Lost Colony Outdoor Drama”. Since moving to the Annapolis area, he co-founded The Lost Caravan Children’s Theatre.

Jerry has directed 9 shows for Annapolis Summer Garden Theater, including the Ruby Griffith Award winning production of “The Producers”. He has also directed shows for The Children’s Theatre of Annapolis, Merely Players, The Chesapeake Music Hall, The Moonlight Troupers and The Heritage Harbor Players.

As an actor, he is a two-time winner of the Outstanding Performer at the Maryland One-Act Play Festival. You may have seen him in the 2017 ASGT production “Bullets Over Broadway” playing Nick Valenti, the gruff but loveable gangster.

The Cast:

  • Alice Murphy…… Emily L. Sergo
  • Jimmy Ray Dobbs……David Merrill
  • Mayor Josiah Dobbs…… John Purnell
  • Billy Cane…… Jake Schwartz
  • Margo Crawford…… Mallorie Stern
  • Lucy Grant……Alexandra Baca
  • Darryl Ames……Blake Martin
  • Daddy Cane…… Dave Robinson
  • Daddy Murphy…… George King
  • Mama Murphy…… Julie Fox
  • Max, Ensemble…… David Valderrama
  • Stanford, Ensemble…… Thomas Digby
  • Dr. Norquist, Ensemble…… Tony Ringer Sr.
  • Florence, Ensemble…… Cassia Lengbeyer
  • Edna, Ensemble…… Camille White
  • Clerk, Ensemble…… Elizabeth Darby
  • Well-dressed woman, Ensemble…… Emily Machovec

Ensemble:

  • Ethan Albo
  • Madelyn Keir
  • Billy Luzier
  • Lindsay Perr
  • Alex Sarkady
  • Shannon Sullivan

Bright Star is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide, 21180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 640, New York, NY 10036. theatricalrights.com

Produced by
Joey Parnes, Sue Wagner, John Johnson,
Zebulon LLC, Jay Alix & Una Jackman, Len Blavatnik, James L. Nederlander, Carson & Joseph Gleberman,
Balboa Park Productions, The Shubert Organization, Jamie deRoy/Catherine Adler/Cricket Jiranek

In Association With
Roger Hess, A.C. Orange International, Broadway Across America, Sally Jacobs & Warren Baker
Diana DiMenna, Exeter Capital, Agnes Gund, True Love Productions

AND
The Old Globe