The Taproot Theatre has been bringing quality shows to the Greenwood neighborhood for years, but rarely has it produced a blow the doors open, buckle-up energy, Broadway quality show such at it has going on now with Steve Martin and Edie Brickell’s Bright Star. The path these two musicians and storywriters took to creating an award winning Broadway musical is quite circuitous. The pair was inspired by the folk song “The Ballad of the Iron Mountain Baby” which narrates the mostly true story of a baby who in 1902 was left for dead when discovered by a William Helms near the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway. In 2013 Martin and Brickell produced a bluegrass album that touched on the themes of this tale. That record went on to form the basis for their musical that hit Broadway in 2016.
In Martin and Brickell’s telling, the tale of the lost child takes on some wildly romantic elements and in their hands makes for a farfetched but wonderfully fun night of theater. The mother of the baby, Alice Murphy, warns us in the opening lines of her first tune: “If you knew my story, you’d have a hard time believing me. You’d think I was lying.” But what the heck; it’s summertime and the living is easy. The opening night full house was more than willing to suspend their notions of disbelief and greatly enjoyed the fantastical twists and turns of the show’s storyline.
Bright Star had a relatively short run on Broadway. Analyzing why a particular show makes it in New York is always risky but I have two theories why this show did not do better. For one, it ran up against the blockbuster Hamilton that had opened earlier that season. Secondly, Bright Star features bluegrass, country and folk tunes played with acoustic instruments throughout—which in itself might be a tough sell for a Broadway audience. The show seems much better suited for a smaller venue like the Taproot where the songs took root and blossomed through the night. Indeed, to this ear, the musical numbers seemed to get better and better as the show moved along.
While not every voice in the Taproot show is Broadway ready, its two lead women absolutely have the talent required for the biggest spotlights. Brenna Wagner takes on the lead role of Alice Murphy and is a thrill to behold. From the onset, her character is bright and sassy and in total command. She handles the requirements of the bluegrass and country tunes with aplomb. Wagner is featured in the11:00 o’clock number “At Long Last” and the “Finale”. Both songs were chillingly effective. Her work playing Alice in two very different stages in the woman’s life is thoughtfully and skillfully constructed.
Matching Wagner note for note is Miranda Antionette Troutt, playing the ingénue Margo. She has a ball portraying the patient love interest, wiling away her days in Hayes Creek, waiting for a young World War II veteran, Billy Cane (the charming Mike Spee) to come to his senses and sweep her away. “Always Will”, her duet with Billy, was one of many highlights of the evening.
Director Karen Lund gets to play a strong hand with a tremendously talented supporting cast. Eric Polani Jensen makes for a formidable foe, determined to keep Alice away from his son. Brian Lange is hilarious as the officious editor working for Alice and making young Billy’s life miserable as he tries to get his writing published at the Asheville Southern Journal. Gloria Lee Alcala excels as Lucy, the girl that just can’t catch a good break. Lange and Alcala work together in the raucous Act II showstopper, “Another Round”.
The Taproot crew ably meets all the challenges of staging a recent Broadway show. Mark Lund provides lots of black and white photos to project on the back of the set, helping us keep track of the quick changes of scenes demanded by the plot. Either Michael Nutting or Michael Matlock conduct a spirited quartet handling the bluegrass flavored tunes. And Dialect Coach Leah Fishbaugh has everyone sounding like they just got off the train from North Carolina.
Bright Star’s Alice Murphy finally emerges through her hardships with breathtaking bravado. As Lund observes in her notes, “Hero journeys are happening around us each day and each one should be celebrated!” Let the summer celebration begin! Bright Star has been extended through August 24 at the Taproot Theatre Company’s Jewell Mainstage Theatre, 204 N 85th Street, in the heart of Greenwood. For more ticket information go to taproottheatre.org, phone 206.781.9707 or drop by in person to their box-office.