“Joyous! Redemptive! A personal standing ovation, truly worth mentioning. BRIGHT STAR glistens on the CAA Stage!”
Set in the Bible Belt of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina during 1945-46, with flashbacks to 1923, Bright Star chronicles the journey of Alice Murphy (Kaylee Howard). Alice addresses the audience directly at the top of the show in recounting her own story. Her narrative introduces Billy Cane (Nick Dolan), a young soldier recently returned from World War II, who had passed time at the front by writing short stories and sending them to Margo (Yunike Soedarmasto), a bookstore clerk and childhood friend. Upon his return to Hayes Creek, Billy expresses his intent to submit his work to the Asheville Southern Journal. At the publication’s office, he meets staff members Daryl (Jonathan Gysbers) and Lucy (Marie Mahabal Hauer), who are initially discouraging regarding meeting editor Alice (Harwood). Billy ultimately succeeds and captures Alice’s interest, prompting her to accept his submissions. Yet there’s also a fascination with the young Billy that Alice cannot decipher for some reason.
Alice Murphy displays a reserved and sombre demeanour in her role as editor at the Journal. Lucy’s invitation to attend a dance is declined, prompting Alice to reflect on her past when she may have accepted such an offer, and not been bound by the restrictions of her current job. Subsequently, Steve Martin and Edie Brickell’s book elaborates on Alice’s background through flashbacks to Zebulon, North Carolina, in 1923, where a young Alice interacts with Jimmy Ray Dobbs (George Krissa). Parental guidance from Mama Murphy (Donna Garner) and Daddy Murphy (Scott Carmichael) discourages their daughter’s relationship with Jimmy Ray. His father, Josiah Dobbs (Brendan Wall), counsels his son against youthful indiscretions for the sake of their family business.
According to the official synopsis outside the CAA Theatre, the musical follows Alice’s journey to understand her troubled past as well as her fascination with Billy Cane. That’s all I wish to say, as I don’t want to risk spoiling the plot and experience for future audiences. This opening night performance delivers a poignant and compelling narrative, eliciting strong emotional responses from those audience members sitting around me.
Director Jacob Wolstencroft brings Martin and Brickell’s story to life. The production benefits from the authentic performances by this terrific cast, underscored by Music Director Donna Garner and Choreographer Lisa Goebel, whose contributions successfully elevate the bluegrass score and high step and kick choreography. The Toronto creative team, under Wolstencroft’s clear vision, makes thoughtful choices that enhance both the music and storytelling elements. Goebel’s choreography and Garner’s musical direction sustain the narrative momentum throughout the production.
The Programme note by Garner provides valuable insight into the decision to employ actor-musicians, offering context that is both informative and relevant. Visually, Bright Star stands out, particularly in its creative use of costume, lighting, staging and dramatic techniques to depict Alice’s flashback to 1923. Brandon Kleiman’s set design, incorporating a scrim and carefully selected props curated by Randy Pryce, effectively evokes various settings. Joyce Padua’s costumes and Jason Hand’s lighting design contribute significantly to the period authenticity and emotional atmosphere.
Special recognition to Deanna H. Choi’s sound design which achieves an ideal balance between vocal clarity and instrumental accompaniment. The actor-musician ensemble demonstrates notable proficiency, seamlessly integrating acting and musicianship. Their performances maintain emotional integrity without resorting to melodrama.
Comedic elements are skillfully included, such as Beau Dixon’s portrayal of Dr. Norquist and Marie Mahjabal Hauer’s depiction of Lucy in the musical number ‘Another Round‘, complemented by Goebel’s choreography. Jonathan Gysbers provides a nuanced performance as Darryl. Scott Carmichael and Brendan Wall deliver compelling portrayals as the fathers, highlighting the complexities of familial relationships influenced by religious motives.
Nick Dolan captures the optimism and vulnerability of Billy Cane early in Act One in scenes with Beau Dixon, who plays his father. The budding connection between Billy and Margo, played by Yunike Soedarmasto, is rendered with the sweetness of love blossoming. Kaylee Howard and George Krissa convincingly convey the evolving and tumultuous relationship between Alice Murphy and Jimmy Ray Dobbs in the Act 1 number ‘Whoa, Mama.’ As the story moves forward through its eventual turn of fate for Alice and Jimmy Raye, their reactions to the unfolding plot events become the crux of the story’s dramatic intensity. Both Harwood and Krissa remain convincingly strong in their on-stage work. Under Wolstencroft’s guiding hand, Harwood and Krissa logically follow through on what they knew they had to do given the specific circumstances. Initially, what happens to Harwood’s Alice and Krissa’s Jimmy Ray is what the audience thinks it’s probably going to be. There are some surprises along the way.
Once again, in her Programme Note, Donna Garner writes that the heart of Bright Star is the themes of hope and resilience, where the human spirit can find joy again after a loss. It is Garner’s hope (along with the cast) that the audience can leave the theatre with a little more faith in second chances.
That’s why I felt compelled personally to give the show my personal standing ovation.
So, I did.
And that’s the reason why I’d like to see the show again.
And why you should go and see Bright Star.
Running time: approximately two hours and 30 minutes with one interval/intermission.
Bright Star runs to November 2, 2025, at the CAA Theatre, 651 Yonge Street, Toronto. For tickets: mirvish.com or call 1-800-461-3333.
DAVID & HANNAH MIRVISH and GARNER THEATRE PRODUCTIONS present
BRIGHT STAR (Inspired by a True Story)
Music, Book & Story by Steve Martin
Music, Lyrics & Story by Edie Brickell
Director: Jacob Wolstencroft
Musical Director: Donna Garner
Choreographer/Intimacy Director: Lisa Goebel
Set Design: Brandon Kleiman
Sound Design: Deanna H. Choi
Lighting Design: Jason Hand
Costume Design: Joyce Padua
Props Master: Randy Pryce
Stage Manager: Jennifer Parr
Performers: Kaylee Harwood, George Krissa, Scott Carmichael, Randy Lei Chang, Beau Dixon, Nick Dolan, Rita Dottor, Donna Garner, Leah Grandmont, Jonathan Gysbers, Andrew Legg, Marie Mahabal Hauer, Yunike Soedarmasto, Brendan Wall.
