Bright Star is a musical Americana folk tale by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell that offers up a gorgeous score and a compelling, if predictable, storyline.
A live string band enhances the show and adds to the nostalgic atmosphere, where heartbreak turns to triumph and miracles do exist. Cinnabar Theater’s production, directed by Nathan Cummings, runs in the Warren Theater at Sonoma State University through June 29.
It’s a tale of love and loss set in the American South that switches between life-changing events in the 1920s and the mid-1940s that involve four key people.
Bright Star focuses on its riveting lead, Alice Murphy, played with deep humanity and ridiculous charisma by Zanna Wyant. Her expressive face and throaty yet clear voice will tear audience members up inside as they follow Alice’s story. She’s well supported by a scene-stealing Megan Bartlett as Margo Crawford, who blows the roof off the house in “Asheville,” and by Laura Odette Sandoval as Lucy, who packs a punch with her powerful voice. “Another Round” is the best ensemble song in the show.
The menfolk don’t fare too badly, either, with heartfelt work by the extremely likeable Nathanael Fleming as Jimmy Ray, Alice’s paramour. His voice is superb and his stage presence strong, every movement full of intention. He and Wyant create magnetic chemistry and a believable star-crossed love. David A. Bradbury works the audience’s heartstrings as ambitious writer Billy, while Noah Evans’ Darryl Ames provides some comic relief via plenty of scenery chewing.
This production features a large and thoroughly maximized ensemble, with standouts like Tyler Ono showing why he’s a young performer to watch and Sean O’Brien bringing utmost comedic effect and warm nuance to his scenes.
The scenes aboard a train prove very effective, especially in “A Man’s Gotta Do,” with a nasty turn by Garet Waterhouse as Mayor Dobbs. Waterhouse makes for a slick baddie with his Mitt Romney hair and uptight suit.
The choreography by Bridget Codoni at times felt very chaotic, and at other times punctuated the action precisely the way it needed to. Many bodies populated the relatively small stage, constantly moving and changing the scenery, which pulled focus from the story.
Minor quibbles this reviewer had with the show shouldn’t deter anyone from experiencing this fantastic piece of musical theater. The show features some seriously beautiful performances.
Cinnabar Theater presents ‘Bright Star’ through June 29 at Warren Auditorium in Ives Hall at Sonoma State University. 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. Fri–Sat, 7:30pm; Sun, 2pm. $35–$60 plus parking fee. 707.763.8920. cinnabartheater.org
