Winter Musical Preview: Bright Star
By James Bohanek, Upper School Drama Teacher & Fine Arts Academic Leader
1-minute read
SCHEDULE UPDATE : Opening night has been postponed to Friday, Feb. 14, at 7:30 p.m.
Durham Academy Upper School is thrilled to present Bright Star by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell as this year’s winter musical. Set in North Carolina, Bright Star is an ensemble show that features a beautiful bluegrass score, great dancing and a moving story that spans across two generations.
“Inspired by a true story … Bright Star tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set … in the American South in the 1920s and 1940s. When literary editor Alice Murphy meets 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 transforms both of their lives … An uplifting theatrical journey that holds you tightly in its grasp, Bright Star is as refreshingly genuine as it is daringly hopeful.” (Theatrical Rights Worldwide)
Bright Star
Kenan Auditorium, Upper School Campus
- Thursday, Feb. 13, at 7:30 p.m.
- Friday, Feb. 14, at 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Feb. 15, at 2 p.m.
- Saturday, Feb. 15, at 7:30 p.m.
Reserve your tickets at www.da.org/reservations
Admission: FREE
Running Time: Approx. 2 hours (plus one intermission)
Rating: PG (sensitive themes: death, heartbreak and complex family relationships)
Featured in the cast are the following Upper School students: Emma Bernstein, Caroline Bohanek, Micah Daley, Diego Dhungana, Stella Edwards, Grace Gao, Lily Goldin, Gaby Goodman, Conor Hernandez, Dara Lee-Ellis, Meera Mallik, Alessia Nogales-Norero, Julian Pasos, Olivia Pickens, Noah Quiambao, Nicholas Rodriguez, Molly Rosenbaum, Anneke Schmidt, Nick Shaikh, Ashie Sinha, Lucia Sullivan and Sophie Williamson.
The orchestra, led by Upper School music director Michael L. Meyer, features several outside professionals and the following Upper School students: Andrew Lim, Ori Moore, Valen Moore, Siddharth Srivats, Eva Walker, Anna Claire Wood and Joanna Yoon.
The student production team includes stage manager Ajibola Nureni-Yusuf, assistant stage manager Ry Tarpey, assistant director Naomi Gibson, costume/wardrobe supervisor Maya Patel and assistant technical directors Leo Sorin and Myles Zapotoczny. Students also collaborated on assorted crews to create the design elements for the show. Crew: Matelon Barber, Kayla Cloninger, Lee Gilson, Amelia Hartwig, Soren Hecimovich, Avery Houser, Derick Lee, Myrto Maurides, Carter Mills, Julian Pasos, Kate Ryan, Leo Sorin, Andrew Vaughn and Myles Zapotoczny.
We are grateful to Paul Edghill’s Technical Theatre class for their work on the set and lights as well: Hazel Daly, Gibbs Durack, Ethan Edghill, Stella Freelon, Lee Gilson, Derick Lee, Emily Simmons and Elizabeth Wilber.
So reserve your tickets now and join the Bright Star cast, crew and orchestra for a wonderful evening (or afternoon) of theatre. See you at the show!