{"id":132871,"date":"2022-11-14T13:23:10","date_gmt":"2022-11-14T18:23:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/?p=132871"},"modified":"2022-11-16T14:56:46","modified_gmt":"2022-11-16T19:56:46","slug":"wright-state-theatre-to-present-bluegrass-musical-bright-star-in-herbst-theatre","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/2022\/11\/14\/wright-state-theatre-to-present-bluegrass-musical-bright-star-in-herbst-theatre\/","title":{"rendered":"Wright State Theatre to present bluegrass musical \u2018Bright Star\u2019 in Herbst Theatre"},"content":{"rendered":"
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From left: Tanner Gleeson, Anna-Kate Kuszynski, Hannah Rollins and Sam Evans star in Wright State Theatre’s production of \u201cBright Star.”<\/p><\/div>\n

Wright State University Theatre will present the bluegrass musical \u201cBright Star\u201d in its intimate Herbst Theatre in the Creative Arts Center on Nov. 18\u201320 and Dec. 2\u20134.<\/p>\n

Performances take place Nov. 18, 19, Dec. 2 and 3 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 20 and Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. No performances are scheduled over Thanksgiving weekend.<\/p>\n

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $5 for students. Tickets can be purchased online<\/a> or at the Creative Arts Center box office between noon and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.<\/p>\n

A story of love and redemption, \u201cBright Star\u201d is a joyous and heartfelt Appalachian folk tale based on true events.<\/p>\n

\u201cBright Star\u201d is written by legendary comedian and banjo player Steve Martin and indie musician Edie Brickell. The musical is inspired by their Grammy-winning collaboration on the 2013 bluegrass album \u201cLove Has Come for You.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wright State Theatre\u2019s production is directed by guest artist Leslie Goddard Baum and choreographed by guest artist Tracey Bonner. Staff music director Matt Ebright leads a band that includes both professional instrumentalists and numerous actor-musicians from within the cast.<\/p>\n

Baum describes \u201cBright Star\u201d as an epic tale spanning generations that features fun and powerful music and puts relationships at the forefront.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is joyful, heartbreaking, funny and fortifying,\u201d she said. \u201cI hope audiences are prepared to go on the ride with this amazing cast.\u201d<\/p>\n

She also praised the cast, saying the student actors have been wonderful to work with.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey came with research, questions, ideas and energy. It’s been inspiring to me to work with such curious and creative students,\u201d Baum said.<\/p>\n

Baum is a Broadway veteran of \u201cHairspray\u201d and national tours of \u201cJersey Boys,\u201d \u201cShowboat\u201d and \u201cThe Sound of Music.\u201d She has performed locally in the Human Race Theatre Company\u2019s \u201cThe Full Monty\u201d and \u201cLizzie\u201d and is well-known in Cincinnati for her directing work.<\/p>\n

Bonner is a former faculty member at Northern Kentucky University whose professional credits include \u201cSwing!\u201d at The Carnegie, numerous regional and university productions and performance work across the country.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re glad to have them both joining us this season,\u201d said Joe Deer, artistic director and distinguished professor of musical theatre.<\/p>\n

2022\u201323 theatre season continues<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Wright State Theatre’s season continues in 2023 with \u201cArcadia\u201d<\/a> in the Festival Playhouse Feb. 3\u201312. The season also includes:<\/p>\n