Snow College production of ‘Bright Star’ brings tale of love, loss to stage

EPHRAIM — A sweeping tale of pain and redemption takes center stage this month in Snow College’s production of Steve Martin and Edie Brickell’s theatrically rich musical “Bright Star” at the Kim Christison Theatre.

The production, a two-act affair directed and adapted by Snow assistant professor Jenn Chandler, opened Thursday, March 19, and will run through March 28 on the Snow campus.

On opening night, the audience was quick to respond, applauding a large cast that has spent weeks preparing for its latest performance.
Set in Asheville, North Carolina, as well as other locations in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the story unfolds over 1945-46, with flashbacks to 1923. The tale follows literary editor Alice Murphy and returning World War II veteran Billy Cane as their lives gradually intersect through a long-hidden past shaped by love, loss and separation.

Inspired by Martin and Brickell’s Grammy-winning album “Love Has Come for You” and a folk tale about the Iron Mountain Baby, “Bright” Star was first developed in 2013 and premiered at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego in 2014. It later played at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., before opening on Broadway at the Cort Theatre in March 2016. Though its Broadway run ended that June, the production continued with a reunion concert later that year and a national tour beginning in 2017.

Told through interwoven timelines, the musical explores Alice’s teenage romance with Jimmy Ray Dobbs, the disappearance of her infant son, along with Billy’s postwar return and pursuit of a writing career. As the story unfolds, the two narratives converge in a revelation that reshapes both characters’ lives, leading to a final moment of reconciliation.

After the opening-night performance, Chandler shared her feelings about the evening.

“I’m happy and exhilarated,” Chandler said. “It was a stunning show, and we had a great audience. It was a good night.”

Chandler is an educator, actor, musician and composer, and a member of the Actors’ Equity Association in New York City. She has performed at regional theaters, including the Utah Shakespeare Festival, and has worked with award-winning directors such as John Doyle, BD Wong and John Tiffany. Her original music has been featured in theatrical productions, short films and web series and is available on streaming platforms.

She holds a master of fine arts in acting from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas; a master of arts in classical acting from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art; and a bachelor of arts in theater education (K-12) and bachelor of music in cello performance from Brigham Young University.

The production features a team that includes music director Brian Stucki, conductor Bryce Esplin, choreographer Hannah Gay, scenic designer Ari Fitzgerald, lighting director Ari Jamieson, sound engineer Keston Thompson, house manager Braxton Hawkins and stage manager Amalie Wendell.

Hayley Rowley, a Snow student, portrays Alice in the adaptation. She shared her feelings about the opening-night performance. “It was unreal. We’ve been practicing for weeks, and we felt good about it, but there was a nervous energy. Having an audience see it was magical, and the story really came to life in front of them.”

Playing opposite Rowley in the role of Jimmy is Chase Summers. He echoed Rowley’s sentiment about the importance of performing before an audience.

“Obviously, nerves were there a little bit, but everyone pulled together so well,” Summers said. “Everything clicked so nicely with an audience here. It was lovely, and I love everyone up there on stage with us. It was beautiful.”

Jackson Davis plays the role of Billy in the production. He said being nervous before a performance is natural and that the audience can tell when a performer does not take the gravity of a role seriously.

“Going into opening night, I was extremely nervous,” Davis said. “But I had a theater teacher tell me once that he always got nervous before he performed in a play. He said that as soon as you lose that nervousness, you lose the respect of the audience. I really admire that, and I want to perform for the people who come out and see us. I feel great about tonight’s performance. We had a lot of fun.”

Playing the part of Margo is actor Taylor Meigs. She said her castmates made a difference for her in performing before a live audience.
“I am just so thrilled, and this is one of the best casts I’ve ever worked with,” Meigs said. “The audience support tonight was just amazing and means everything to us. It was just truly amazing.”

Steve Martin, an actor and director of considerable Hollywood stature, wrote the plot and dialogue for the musical, but he is also a highly accomplished banjo player. In the local production, musician Jill Carter brings Brickell’s score to life on the instrument, lending a high degree of authenticity to the Appalachia-based story.

“This is my fourth time in a production of ‘Bright Star,’ and technically it requires you to play both styles of banjo, which is (Earl) Scruggs’ style of playing with three fingers and also clawhammer, which is old-style Appalachian banjo,” Carter said.

“Not a lot of banjo players do both, but Steve Martin does both really well. For “Bright Star,” I’ve done it so many times now that it’s become fun. Now, I get to find little places where I can add something and improvise.”

The next performances are set for Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., as well as an understudy performance during a 2:30 p.m. matinee on Saturday. For ticket information, call the Eccles Center box office at 283-7478. Tickets will also be on sale prior to performances.