By Zoe Mellinger
Staff writer
Costa’s Drama Tech department’s spring musical, “Bright Star”, is in the works, with the opening night tonight at 7:30 p.m. and seven shows running through May 3.
“Bright Star” follows Alice Murphy, a literary editor whose life is changed when she meets a young soldier returning home from World War II. Their connection awakens Alice’s longing for the child she once lost, leading her on a journey to uncover the truth about her past and its life-changing impact on both their futures.
“I am playing the role of Alice Murphy,” said senior Samantha Probst. “Playing her has been the most magical experience and also a fun challenge, as she switches ages between the shifting time periods of the show.”
“Bright Star” is set against the backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ’40s. The musical tells a tale of love, loss, and redemption that promises to fascinate the audience.
“Every year we aim to select something different than the year before,” said director Jonathan Westerberg. “’Bright Star’ is a perfect fit because it is so stylistically different from ‘Footloose’ (last year’s show), and gives us an opportunity to learn a new musical genre and explore a different style of staging and choreography. We also were able to secure the original Broadway set, props, and select costumes, so this was an easy choice to make.”
The auditions and applications opened in December, and rehearsals started in January. Staging, choreography, and vocal rehearsals were held Mondays through Fridays, from 3:30–6:00 p.m., and until 10:00 p.m. the last two weeks before the show.
“I started preparing for the show from the second they announced the title,” said Probst. “I can’t wait to perform this special show for an audience.”
The plot is based on a true story. Comedian/musician Steve Martin and ’80s pop music sensation Edie Brickell co-wrote the script and the score. The musical pays homage to the original show by utilizing sets from the Broadway show.
“The music from this show is absolutely beautiful; and the staging is so uniquely theatrical,” said Westerberg. “We hope that people are moved by the story and our presentation of it. It’s an incredibly special piece of musical theatre.”
Performances will take place today, April 26, April 30, May 1, May 2, and May 3, with both evening and afternoon showtimes available. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Mira Costa Drama website.
“I am really excited to get to perform with all of my friends,” said sophomore Dagny Shaw. “I am also really excited to use the Broadway set.”
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