Steve Martin & Edie Brickell musical Bright Star to shine on the Weathervane Stage

This sweeping tale of love and redemption opens Thursday, August 1

WHITEFIELD, NH – July 29, 2019 – The Weathervane Theatre, a professional, award-winning, equity theatre in Whitefield, NH, is proud to present Bright Star. Inspired by a true story, Bright Star is about the chance meeting of a successful literary editor and a young ambitious WWII soldier who discover a life-changing secret. Fueled by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell’s bluegrass score, this sweeping tale of love and redemption is set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ‘40s. Bright Star opens Thursday, August 1st and plays in alternating repertory through August 28th. Bright Star is directed by Weathervane Theatre Producing Artistic Director Ethan Paulini.

Like all titles presented in this season, Bright Star has never been before presented on the Weathervane stage:

“I keep saying this is Weathervane Theatre Audience’s favorite show that they don’t even know yet. This is a strong, compelling, and poignant story about family, love, and the power of redemption coupled with an evocative and toe tapping country/folk/bluegrass score. I truly believe this will be the hit of the season. And you never know, maybe Steve Martin will show up to play the banjo! Not only is he a major comedic movie star, he also knows how to write a fabulous musical,” said Paulini.

Bright Star first premiered in 2014 at the Old Globe in San Diego and despite a brief 2016 Broadway run, it is quickly emerging as a regional theatre favorite. Paulini could not wait to put his own stamp on it and introduce this new work to the North Country:

“I am so drawn to this story for a number of reasons. Not only do I feel it is rooted in the importance of family, but I also love its depiction of its strong central female character Alice Murphy. She is uncompromising and possesses a strength that was brave in the first half of the 20th century. For that reason, I have worked hard to tell this story from Alice’s point of view and even more so from her memory of the experiences she has had. The only real person in this story is Alice. The rest of the players are folks there to help her heal, re-live, and celebrate her memories and experiences.”

Bright Star marks the second production directed by Paulini this season. He helmed the season opener: Irving Berlin’s White Christmas and will also direct the season closer: Sister Act. Bright Star is music directed by Colin Keating and choreographed by Taryn Herman. The production is sponsored by Littleton Coin Company.

Tickets for Bright Star are available by calling 603.837.9010 or visiting www.weathervanetheatre.org. The Box Office is open Monday-Saturday at 389 Lancaster Rd. Whitefield, NH. Performance Dates: August 1, 2, 6, 14, 17, 19 and 28. Tickets range from $29 – $39.