Bright Star on stage at TheatreZone in Naples Feb. 10 – 20

TheatreZone in Naples is in full swing in February with three engaging productions that each have deep roots in musical history and the powerful talents of renowned musicians.
Bright Star, with a Tony-nominated score and lyrics by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, is inspired by a true story set in the mountains of Asheville, N.C., and involves a disappearing infant. The musical is inspired by Martin’s and Brickell’s Grammy-winning collaboration on the 2013 bluegrass album Love Has Come for You and the folk story of the “Iron Mountain Baby.”
The plot re-tells the “Iron Mountain Baby” legend and creates a new sequence of events that reimagines the ending.
Bright Star will be on stage in Naples Feb. 10 – 20.
The story involves the meeting of literary editor Alice Murphy and a young soldier just home from World War II. He awakens her longing for the child she once lost. Haunted by their unique connection, Alice sets out on a journey to understand her past and what she finds has the power to transform both of their lives.
The musical received critical acclaim from its Broadway performances and a national tour. Charles Isherwood of The New York Times wrote, “The shining achievement of the musical is its winsome country and bluegrass score. The complicated plot is divided between two love stories that turn out to have an unusual connection. The songs are yearning ballads and square-dance romps rich with fiddle, piano and banjo.”
USA Today noted that the 2016 Broadway production “holds its own in what may well prove to be the richest Broadway season in decades.”
Cast members include Kimberly Doreen Burns as Alice Murphy, Robert Koutras as Jimmy Ray Dobbs, Jim Ballard as Mayor Dobbs, Rachael Lord as Margo and Quinn Corcoran as Billy. Others in the cast are Brent Kuenning, Adolpho Blaire, Laura Wittenberger, Brittany Halen, Brooke Rosenbluth, Robbie Rescigno, Paulette Oliva and Peter McClung.
Mark Danni, founding artistic director of TheatreZone, comments, “Audiences will be treated to extraordinary music with Martin’s banjo wizardry reflected in the score. They will be carried through an emotional roller coaster of calamity and comedy before arriving at a happy ending.”
Bright Star tickets are available for 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 10 through Feb. 12, and Feb. 17 through Feb. 20. Matinees are staged at 2 p.m. on Feb. 12, 13, 19 and 20.
TheatreZone follows up Bright Star with two February concerts, The Mersey Beatles – Favorites of Naples (Feb. 22) and Mack is Back: The Music of Bobby Darin (Feb. 24).
TheatreZone tickets range from $50 to $65 depending on selected seats, with premium seats available at $85. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.Theatre.Zone or call 888-966-3352 x1.
TheatreZone is a nonprofit, professional Equity theatre located in-residence at the 250-seat G&L Theatre on the Community School of Naples campus, 13275 Livingston Road, Naples.