Joanna Orban
Staff Writer
I saw “Bright Star” opening night. I highly enjoyed the play and was excited to see it again during the second week of shows. However, because of the COVID-19 virus, the ISU School of Performing Arts postponed the last three shows. In an official press release, the Chair of the Theatre and Dance department and the Chair of the Music department said, “Out of respect for our students, faculty, staff and patrons, the School of Performing Arts will be postponing this weekend’s performances for ‘‘Bright Star’’.
I am incredibly grateful that I was able to see the play prior to the postponement. After seeing it once and discussing the production of it with several who were involved, I know how sad it is to see it be postponed.
However, when the play is able to be shown again, I would encourage all of you to go see it. I grew up going to musical theatre in and around my hometown, in addition listening to a family member tell me everything there is to know about Broadway musicals. Despite that, I’d never heard of “Bright Star” and I was apprehensive to see a play I had heard nothing about. Thankfully, “Bright Star” is as captivating as it sounds. From the moment the play started, I was invested in the story.
“Bright Star” was written by Steve Martin (yes, that Steve Martin) and Edie Brickell and is a masterpiece containing beautiful bluegrass inspired music and just the right amount of humor. The humor brings the perfect amount of brightness to an intense, emotional play.
Based on a true story, “Bright Star” follows a woman named Alice Walker during two timelines. In the first, she is a teenage girl living in 1920s North Carolina. In the second timeline, set in the 1940s, Alice is now a successful editor at a literary journal. While working at the journal, she meets a young man recently returned from fighting in WW2 named Billy Cane. Over the course of the play Alice feels a strange connection to the young man. This connection is one that both she and the audience have to come to understand by the end of the play
ISU senior Hannah Romney plays Alice. Romney’s portrayal of Alice during the two different times of her life is effortless. She transitions from young Alice to present day Alice without skipping a beat and the way she portrays each side of Alice’s character showcases her incredible talent. Her incredible ability to portray intense emotions through acting and singing allows the audience to connect with Alice’s story. While watching the show, I became incredibly invested in Alice’s character and what she goes through over the course of the play. This is all due to Romney’s incredible talent.
According to Joel Shura, director of “Bright Star”, “She (Romney) brings everything to Alice. That’s part of her strength as an actress. She puts everything forward.” In addition to her incredible acting and singing, Romney also was half of the choreography team along with another ISU theatre student, Alissa Shirts. “This show expertly showcased what this department can do,” said Shura. Shirts also plays one of Romney’s two assistants in the play and sings the incredibly funny song, “Another Round”.
Kyler Chapman plays Billy Cane, an aspiring writer. Like Romney, his incredible performance pulled me into the show. Billy was one of my favorite characters in the play because you were rooting for him to succeed as a writer and finally realize that he likes Margo. When speaking of his time in the play Chapman said, “This show has been quite a beast of a show to put on because it’s so big. But I’ve had an amazing time putting it together and I’m really excited to start the next project!”
Every other year the ISU Theatre, Music, and Dance departments collaborate and put on a show. This year they chose “Bright Star”. The music for this play was provided by a live band made up of both community members and students. According to Dr. Diana Livingston-Friedley, one of the musical directors for the band there are many benefits for having a live band. “They’re going to get professional level experience,” Livingston-Friedley said of the benefits for having a live band, “When you’re singing with a live band you get the flexibility to actually make music.” All of the songs in this play were incredible and having the live music also added to the audience’s experience. “The caliber of work here is super strong,” said Shura.
I had a blast watching “Bright Star”. It has quickly become one of my favorite musicals thanks to ISU School of Performing Arts students who did an incredible job bringing the play to life. When and if “Bright Star” is able to be performed again, I would highly encourage you to go see it, you won’t be disappointed.
