The Drama Group’s second show of their 93rd season with Steve Martin and Edie Brickell’s BRIGHT STAR directed by Suzanne Ashlock.
Show times for BRIGHT STAR are 7:30pm beginning Friday, December 6, 7, 12, 13 and 14; Saturday matinee December 14 at 2:00pm and Sunday matinees at 2:00pm December 8 and 15.
The Drama Group has an online ticketing service - BookTix Ticketing and Livestreaming. All tickets are available by going to The Drama Group BookTix website: https://dg.booktix.com, where you will be directed to set up your account with “The Drama Group-BookTix Box Office.” Or you may always opt to call our Box Office at 708-755-3444.
SYNOPSIS – BRIGHT STAR
A captivating tale of love, redemption, and resilience traveling between 1923 and 1945. With a stirring bluegrass score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, it follows two people who discover a stunning secret with the power to transform their lives.
Written by Steve Martin (Yes, THAT Steve Martin) and Edie Brickell, Bright Star is set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and travels imaginatively between the time periods of 1945 and 1923. Billy Cane, a young soldier just home from WWII, meets Alice Murphy, the brilliant editor of The Asheville Southern Literary Journal. Together they discover a powerful secret that alters their lives. It's a beautiful story of love lost and found set to incredible bluegrass music. Bright Star was nominated for Five Tony Awards, six Drama Desk awards and seven Outer Critics Circle Awards, winning The Drama Desk Outstanding Music award and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Broadway musical and Outstanding New Score. You will walk out singing.
CAST
- Alice Murphy will be played by Colleen Kilcoyne
- Jimmy Ray Dobbs will be played by Jordayn Fisher
- Billy Cane will be played by Darrow Richmond
- Margo Crawford will be played by Rachel DeBoer
- Daddy Cane will be played by Mike Cabsinger
- Mayor Josiah Dobbs will be played by Kevin Reutter
- Daddy Murphy will be played by Ken Hawkley
- Mama Murphy will be played by Maria Barwegen
- Daryl Ames will be played by Brandon Willard-Rose
- Lucy Grant will be played by Kallie Givens
- Stanford Adams will be played by J.R. Willard-Rose
- Florence/Ensemble will be played by Prosperity White
- Edna/Spirit/Ensemble will be played by Katie Hale
- Max/Ensemble will be played by Travis Sirevicius
- Dr. Norquist will be played by Jeff Peterson
- Gov. Clerk/Spirit/Ensemble will be played by India Pajeau
- Spirit/Ensemble will be played by Pamela Stallings
- Stationmaster/Ensemble will be played by Matt Jednoroz
- Well dressed Woman/Ensemble will be played by Rebecca Howey
CREW
- Season 2023/2024 President Mary Ellen Fawk
- Director : Suzanne Ashlock
- Assistant Director : Jeff Ashlock
- Musical Director : Stephen Lopez
- Choreographer : Liz Yerkovich
- Scenic Design : PJ Janicki, Suzanne Ashlock
- Lighting Design : PJ Janicki
- Lighting Mentor : Jennifer Larkin
- Sound Design : Stacy Norris
- Sound Mentor : Ron Edwards
- Lead Construction : Ken Hawkley
- Costumes : Terri Devine Ford
- Makeup and hair : Regina Gadotti, Diane Kaffka, Jaonna James, Naiela El
- Stage Manager : Ken Hawkley
- Paint Chair : Michael Behrens
- Props and Décor : Arlene Freeman, Jeff Ashlock, Pamela Stallings, Tim Bray, Katie Hale
- Production Manager : Rose Crockett
- Special Projects : Sara Witasek, Laura Scales Ashlock
- Music, Book and Story : Steve Martin
- Music, Lyrics and Story : Edie Brickell
The Drama Group continues its Community Outreach Programs by partnering with ALL HANDS AND HEARTS, an agency focusing on Hurricane Helene Relief in Western North Carolina. We are asking our audience and active members to consider donating to this agency as the holiday season unwraps and many of the victims of Hurricane Helene are still without a home or have the resources to celebrate with family. There will be a donation jar in the lobby of the Drama Group studio building evenings from Sunday, December 1 through the run of the show, Sunday, December 15. OR consider donating online now.
Donate to Hurricane Helene Relief at https://give.allhandsandhearts.org/campaign/623237/donate#!/donation/checkout
All Hands and Hearts is launching a 12-month response to Hurricane Helene. We need your help to raise $3 million to support the long-term recovery of these devastated communities. North Carolina: All Hands and Hearts has deployed to Asheville, North Carolina in response to devastating rainfall and the following floods caused by Hurricane Helene. Our teams work to support the communities in the greatest need.
The Drama Group is pleased to be a member of Southland Arts with 26 local arts organizations. See details at www.southlandarts.org. “A Bridge to a Colorful Joyful World.”
The Drama Group acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency through federal funds provided by the National Endowment for the Arts.