Steve Martin’s latest venture, a new musical called Bright Star, is set to premiere later this month in San Diego. The music, in the form of 25 new songs, was written by Martin with his performing partner Edie Brickell. Just as on their recent album together, Love Has Come For You, he writes the melodies and she composes the lyrics.
Steve has written the book for the play, a side of him that many of his comedy and music fans may not be aware of. He has the screenwriter’s credit for his hit movie, Roxanne, and his 1993 play, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, has had successful runs in several US cities.
Bright Star is based on an original story idea of Steve and Edie’s, set in the Blue Ridge Mountains in the time between the two World Wars. The music has a bluegrass and banjo-centric theme, with Bennett Sullivan currently in California rehearsing for the show on five string. Dennis Caplinger will be on mandolin.
The large scale presentation will feature ensemble dance numbers, period costumes and a story designed to appeal to theater-goers of all ages. It’s a classic boy-meets-girl tale, with the discovery of a secret to twist the plot.
Neither Martin nor Brickell will be among the cast, which includes a bevy of Broadway regulars. The production is directed by Walter Bobbie, with Josh Rhodes choreographing, and Peter Asher serving as musical director.
Previews start September 13 at San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre, with the official opening on September 28th. It is scheduled to run through November. Of course they hope to bring the show to New York at some point.
