12/28/2023 0 Comments If you knew my story carmen cusackThey’re a zany and charming duo, providing much of the comic relief in “Bright Star,” though Sauble also sizzles sensually with her high kicks, turns, and alluring presence as Lucy in “Another Round” at the Shiny Penny, a bar near the office of the Asheville Southern Journal. Olsen, like his amorous stage counterpart, is an effective singer and commands a range of emotion that spikes with dramatic impact in “Heartbreaker.”ĭylan Pass and Dayna Sauble portray Alice Murphy’s editorial assistants, Lucy Grant and Daryl Ames. Moreover, Rowader is a robust singer with a high belt, affecting a moving solemnity in her voice like with “If You Knew My Story” and the romantic duet, “What Could Be Better,” with Nic Olsen’s Jimmy Ray Dobbs. On one hand, she makes for an exacting but fair editor, and as her character’s past reveals, she is also loving before a silent despair takes over her. Photo credit: Demetrios KatsantonisĪs the lead, Alice Murphy, Christanna Rowader gives a performance that is versatile and layered. (L-R) Dylan Pass, Christanna Rowader, and Dayna Sauble in “Bright Star” at the Candlelight Pavilion in Claremont, CA. The band is even deservingly front and center for the audience during the entr’acte when they exhibit their undeniable musicianship. But, above all, it would be remiss not to mention musical director Ryan O’Connell and his band, who can be seen on stage in Lee’s slightly unfinished wooden cottage, giving the bluegrass tunes the grit and aural flavor they need, with an amalgamation of sounds that alternate between the accordion, banjo, violin, drums, and more. Of course, Jane Greenwood’s costumes are authentically Southern and Aspen Rogers’ lighting design punctuates the story’s emotional stakes. Director Ketter does an excellent job of establishing the hook of unsettlingly high drama in Act I into the expectant Act II, and choreographer Baker (along with assistant choreographer Rachel McLaughlan) mixes mirthful swing-dance sequences with darkly urgent moments, which are carried out by a talented ensemble. In essence, what seems like two separate narrative threads, 23 years apart, align with a stunning clarity upon the musical’s conclusion.Ĭhuck Ketter and Kelly Baker have not only paid homage to the original director and choreographer, Walter Bobbie and Josh Rhodes, but have added their own little touches to the two-hour-and-twenty-five-minute production. However, Alice’s parents (Greg Nicholas and Dynell Leigh) and especially Jimmy’s father, Mayor Josiah Dobbs (Richard Malmos), are disapproving of this development, causing much heartache that echoes for a long time. This soon precipitates the first “Way Back in the Day” flashback to Alice’s hometown of Zebulon, where she falls in love with local boy Jimmy Ray Dobbs (Nic Olsen), gets pregnant, and then gives birth to a son. It begins when Billy Cane (Zach Fogel), an aspiring writer and soldier returning from WWII, reunites with his father (Jamie Snyder), becomes reacquainted with childhood friend Margo Crawford (Emily Chelsea), and takes the initiative to submit his stories to the Asheville Southern Journal, where Alice Murphy (Christanna Rowader) is a pull-no-punches editor. The North Carolina-based plot is inspired by real events and takes place in 1945-46 with recurrent flashbacks to 1923-24. Christanna Rowader and Nic Olsen in “Bright Star” at the Candlelight Pavilion in Claremont, CA.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |