THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND THE SCHOOL OF THEATRE AND DANCE PRESENT
BRIGHT STAR
Inspired by a True Story
Music, Book and Story by STEVE MARTIN
Music, Lyrics and Story by EDIE BRICKELL
Director: Michael Beverley*
Choreographer: Colleen Rosbarsky
Music Director: Spencer Stern**
Scenic Designer: Mike Monsos
Costume Designer: Megan Johnson
Lighting Designer: Terry Jorgensen
Properties Designer: Emi Cerro***
Stage Manager: Laila Sisson***
*Partial fulfillment of the Master of Fine Arts degree in Theatre, Area of Specialization in Directing
**Partial fulfillment of the Master of Fine Arts degree in Theatre, Area of Specialization in Music Direction
***Partial fulfillment of the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre (Junior Project)
Produced by
Joey Parnes, Sue Wagner, John Johnson; Zebulon LLC, Jay Alix & Una Jackman, Len Blavatnik, James L. Nederlander, Carson & Joseph Gleberman, Balboa Park Productions; The Shubert Organization, Jamie deRoy/Catherine Adler/Cricket Jiranek
in association with
Rodger Hess, A.C. Orange International, Broadway Across America, Sally Jacobs & Warren Baker; Diana DiMenna, Exeter Capital, Agnes Gund, True Love Productions
and
The Old Globe
Bright Star is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide, 1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 640, New York, NY 10036. www.theatricalrights.com
THE VIDEO OR AUDIO RECORDING OF THIS PERFORMANCE BY ANY MEANS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The School of Theatre and Dance acknowledges that these are the aboriginal territories of the Salish and Kalispel people, a number of whom are our colleagues, students, and friends. We honor the path they have always shown us in caring for this place for the generations to come.
*Es mistéʔes qe es lʔ, ci łu l ,T,atʔ̓ ayaqn u Qlispélixʷ sqlixʷúʔulexʷs t Nłʔaycčstm Kʷtis
Snacx̓ ̣łqe̓ ym̓ ín. Qe es putʔem łu Sqélixʷ m̓ im̓ éʔeye̓ ms x̣ʷl ,olqʷštulexʷ łu x̣ʷl ,qł sqlqelixʷ.
AUDIENCE STATEMENT OF EMPOWERMENT
The School of Theatre & Dance recognizes that art can provoke; therefore, during the course of this performance, patrons are empowered to leave if themes or situations make them uncomfortable.
AUDIENCE ADVISORY
This production contains mature themes; audience discretion is advised.
CAST
Ensemble/Alice: Bailey Carlson
Ensemble/Mama Murphy/Edna: Mikayla Kay
Ensemble/Margo: Danielle Hoyer
Ensemble/Billy Cane: McKay Cheney
Ensemble/Jimmy Ray: Monroe Ayers
Ensemble/Lucy/Florence: Chloe Kearns
Ensemble/Daryl/Stanford: Connor Romandine
Ensemble/Mayor Dobbs/Daddy Cane: Nick Monsos
Ensemble/Daddy Murphy: Gabe Malek
Ensemble/Max/Station Master: Efe Fiallo
Ensemble/Dr. Norquist: Marin Masar
Ensemble/Government Clerk: Molly Brandt
Ensemble/Well-Dressed Woman: Eliza McNelly
Ensemble/Swing: Lotus Porte-Moyel
Ensemble/Swing: Liudmila Karaseva
SETTING
The Masquer Theatre in 2024 but also 1923-4 and 1945-6 in North Carolina. It is based on a true incident.
~This musical is performed with a 15-minute intermission.~
MUSICIANS
Piano/Accordion/Conductor: Spencer Stern
Synthesizer/Autoharp: Matthew Aguon
Banjo/Long-Neck Banjo/Guitar: Nick Barr
Acoustic Guitar/Archtop: Mark Plonsky
Mandolin/Guitar: Luke Mesenko
Bass: Christian Spencer
Violin/Viola: Bethany Rippeon
Cello: Jayla Mitchell
Fiddle: Makenzie Grotbo
Drums: Chesney Wheeler
MUSICAL NUMBERS
ACT ONE
SCENE 1
“If You Knew My Story” (Alice, Billy, Company)
SCENE 2
“She’s Gone” (Billy, Daddy Cane, Margo)
SCENE 3
“Bright Star” (Max, Margo, Billy, Florence, Ensemble)
SCENE 4
“Way Back in the Day” (Billy, Daryl, Lucy, Alice, Ensemble)
SCENE 5
“Whoa, Mama” (Alice, Jimmy Ray, Ensemble)
SCENE 6
“Firmer Hand / Do Right” (Daddy Murphy, Mama Murphy, Alice, Ensemble)
SCENE 7
“A Man’s Gotta Do” (Mayor, Jimmy Ray, Stanford)
SCENE 8
“Bright Star Underscore” (Daryl, Lucy, Billy, Alice, Ensemble)
SCENE 9
“Asheville” (Margo, Edna, Florence, Billy, Ensemble)
“Picnic Dance” (Ensemble)
SCENE 10
“What Could Be Better” (Stanford, Ensemble, Jimmy Ray, Alice, Mama & Daddy Murphy)
SCENE 12
“I Can’t Wait part I” (Mayor, Jimmy Ray)
SCENE 13
“I Can’t Wait part II” (Alice, Daddy Murphy, Stanford, Dr. Norquist, Mayor, Jimmy Ray, Company)
SCENE 15
“Please Don’t Take Him” (Mama & Daddy Murphy, Mayor, Alice, Stanford, Ensemble)
SCENE 16
“A Man’s Gotta Do (Reprise)” (Mayor, Ensemble)
~15-Minute Intermission~
ACT TWO
“Entr’Acte” (Orchestra)
“Opening Act 2” (Orchestra)
SCENE 0
“Sun’s Gonna Shine” (Stationmaster, Mama Murphy, Alice, Women, Daddy Cane, Margo, Ensemble)
SCENE 1
“Heartbreaker” (Jimmy Ray, Mayor)
SCENE 2
“The Shiny Penny” (Daryl, Lucy, Billy, Ensemble)
“Another Round” (Daryl, Lucy, Billy, Ensemble)
SCENE 5
“I Had a Vision” (Alice, Jimmy Ray, Well-Dressed Woman)
SCENE 6
“Always Will” (Margo, Max, Billy, Ensemble)
SCENE 7
“Sun’s Gonna Shine (Reprise)” (Alice, Daddy Murphy, Mama Murphy)
SCENE 8
“I Can’t Wait (Reprise)” (Alice, Billy, Daddy Cane, Company)
“So Familiar / At Long Last” (Alice, Billy, Daddy Cane, Company)
“Finale” (Daryl, Lucy, Jimmy Ray, Alice, Billy, Margo, Company)
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
“The longing of the human heart and its search for propinquity … ”
-Billy Cane
Storytelling traditions are at the heart of what makes Bright Star special. It is a musical about being together to share stories or music, which we as humans have been doing since the dawn of civilization; theatre keeps that tradition alive. However, listening to a story is not a passive experience. There is no storytelling without an audience to actively listen to and empathize with what is being shared. My initial jumping-off point when directing Bright Star was that we are ALL in the room together experiencing Alice’s story: both the audience and the cast. We chose to participate in this re-telling, whether that’s by listening or by putting on a costume.
Always remember that none of this is real. Alice, Billy and the Mayor are not real—they are characters being played by actors—but what they make us feel IS real; that is why storytelling is important. Theatre is important and at its best when we experience these feelings together in a room so that we can re-enter the rest of the world with a better understanding of each other.
Thank you to this wonderful cast, design team and crew. Thank you, Laila Sisson and Audrey Sylling, and thank YOU, audience member. We’re glad you’re here.
~Michael Beverley
He/They
MFA Candidate in Directing
PRODUCTION STAFF
Production Manager: Jason McDaniel
Electronic Music Design/Rehearsal Accompanist: Spencer Stern
Dance Captain: Mikayla Kay
Movement Captain: Eliza McNelly
Intimacy Coordinator: Mark Plonsky
Intimacy Captain: Molly Brandt
Dramaturg: Elsa G. Horgan
Assistant Scenic Designer: Chase Knutson
Assistant Costume Designer: Eleanor O’Brien***
Dialect/Vocal Coach: Matt Saltzberg
Properties Assistant: Jade Shumway
Assistant Stage Manager: Audrey Sylling
Technical Director/Scene Shop Manager: Brian Gregoire
Assistant Technical Director: Trevor Monsos
Charge Artist: Chase Knutson
Scenic Artists/Painters: Ronnie Avansino, Emi Cerro, Imogen Greenslade, Jay Roberts
Scene Shop Staff: Wilder Ayer, Ben Meyers, Trevor Monsos, Jay Roberts
Carpentry and Paint Crew: Ronnie Avansino, Emi Cerro, Dillon Deschamps, Imogen Greenslade, Alicia Griggs, Brady Grenfell, Aiden Kelly, Elijah Miller, Mike Monsos, Eli Reed, Natalie Samano, Alfred Tinsley, Scott Woods
Prop Shop Manager: Laila Sisson
Costume Shop Manager and Cutter/Draper: Jordan Draper
Stitching Lead: Ollie Martinez
Costume Shop Staff: Emi Cerro, Brenna Holgate, Jamie Howard, Megan Johnson, Jessica Lang, Ollie Martinez, Auna Noah, Eleanor O’Brien
Costume Construction Crew: Macey Bauman, Faith Docusen, Codi Donniaquo, Ellie Gillard, Elsa Horgan, Sydney McClenning, Daria Porter, Aaron Prati, Hallie Racicot, Paige Wisneski, Lillian Young
Light/Sound Shop Manager and Lead Electrician: Spencer Perry
Assistant Lead Electrician: Valen Underhill
Light Shop Staff: Terry Jorgensen, Kendall Skoog, Scott Woods
Light Hang and Focus Crew: Ronnie Avansino, Wilder Ayer, Julia Duarte, Sarah Fulbright, Brenna Holgate, Kendra Miller, May Mills, Trevor Monsos, Eleanor O’Brien, Cubby Rodda, Rae Scott, Jade Shumway
Light Board Operator: Averie Brown
Production Audio Engineer: Dan Hartmann
Performance Sound Engineer: Brian Gragg
Scenery/Props Crew: Seth Campbell, Trevor Monsos, Lizzy Wensley
Wardrobe Crew: Morgan David, Nia Guest, Vance Jacobs, Audrey Stenhouse
House Manager: Walker Winterburn
***Partial fulfillment of the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre (Junior Project)
SPECIAL THANKS
Mena Carrara-Ackermann
Dr. David Cody
Annika Loewen
Colleen Rosbarsky
Spencer Stern
Dr. Pam Stiehl
TALENT SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT 2023-2024
Andy Lottis
Andy Lottis is a senior pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre Performance here at the UM School of Theatre and Dance and is honored to be the 2023-2024 Talent Scholarship recipient. Growing up in Southeast Portland, Oregon, Andy always loved a few things: making and telling stories, stretching the limits of his imagination, and being the center of attention. He found his way into performance through many avenues. His parents spent a lot of time filling the house and their lives with music. Andy’s best friend in middle school got him into theatre, which he pursued through high school right into UM in Fall 2020.
Andy has been involved in the School and many productions, the first of which was Welcome to the Void as Kris. Following that he did One Lane Bridge as an ensemble member, had a brief run as Detective Keller and ensemble in She Loves Me, and was a member of Zootown Cabaret in Spring 2022. (He encourages anyone curious to ask him why his time in She Loves Me was a “brief run.”) Following that, Andy was Bobby in Cabaret, performed in two dance pieces in Dance Underground, was a member of Zootown Queer Cabaret, and attended the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival as a part of UM’s first official group. Andy was an ensemble member in Zootown Cabaret’s November 2023 production of 35mm: A Musical Exhibition. He was thrilled to play Lysander in the February 2024 production of A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Andy’s passion for theatre and the arts stems from his compassion and empathy. He describes himself as a people person. His time and work in theatre has given him abundant opportunities to meet new people and gain new perspectives on life; he takes great pride in bringing life to the stories of other people and their humanity. Most recently, as Bobby in Cabaret, he got to dive into 1930s Berlin and its club life. Being a queer person and playing Bobby, a queer man in character, gave Andy the chance to really define what it means to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community and to explore the impact that can be made today by telling the terrifyingly real stories of characters like Bobby in the Holocaust.
Andy has also maintained his love of music. If time and money were infinite resources, Andy would be supplementing his education with as many degrees in music as possible. He can usually be found wearing headphones, listening to something and trying to dissect all the parts. He hopes to produce and release his own music and is currently working on a song for his senior project.
Andy would like to thank his parents, Brian and Annette, for always supporting him and jumping on board, even when none of them had any idea what they were signing up for. He would like to thank his best friend, Anna, for knowing him and being his anchor, even over 500 miles away. He also thanks every audience member and every scholarship donor for their support for and appreciation of the performing arts.
Lastly, he would like to thank John DeBoer for taking a scared little 18-year-old—failing his first course and unsure of his place in the world—and helping him discover his confidence and self-worth.
UM THEATRE AND DANCE STUDENTS SUPPORTED BY
Charles Ross Capps, Sr., and Agnes Ranjo Capps Scholarship; George & Louise Caras Scholarship; James Caras Family Scholarships; Sarah Crump Memorial Scholarship; Alexander & Virginia Dixon Dean Scholarships; Janice Stenslie Foster Endowed Scholarship; Riki Gordon Scholarship; Donal Harrington Scholarships; Jim Kriley Memorial Scholarship; Mary Cardell Moore and Robert & Florence Cardell Awards; Ivan Morrison Scholarship in the Arts; Mott Ranch Scholarship; Odyssey of Our Stars Scholarships; Sarah Ottley Memorial Scholarship; Patron Scholarships; Rachel Sprunk Smith Scholarship; Sheila M. Sullivan Scholarship; Talent Scholarship; Theatre Scholarships; Thespian Scholarships; UM Dance Days Scholarships; May Carol Zeman Award
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THE BUCKET BRIGADE
Help fund performing-arts education for the talented students you saw on stage tonight … or didn’t see because they were backstage or at another rehearsal! On your way out the door, meet some of the show’s performers and, if you desire, contribute to the School of Theatre and Dance Patron Scholarship by dropping off a small donation. The performers and donation buckets will be at the PARTV Center exits. Thank you for supporting the arts and the University of Montana School of Theatre and Dance!
FACULTY AND STAFF
COLLEGE OF THE ARTS AND MEDIA
Jennifer Cavanaugh and Michael Musick, Co-Deans
SCHOOL OF THEATRE AND DANCE
DIRECTOR:
Mike Post
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR:
Heidi Jones Eggert
FACULTY:
Alessia Carpoca, Brooklyn Draper, Jordan Draper, Heidi Jones Eggert, Brian Gregoire, Jeanine Hedström, Michael Legg, Tara McFarland, David Mills-Low, Mike Monsos, Faith Morrison, Charlie Oates, Mark Plonsky, Mike Post, Tarn Ream, Michael Rohd, Laurel Sears, Pam Stiehl, Bernadette Sweeney, Katie Thompson
STAFF:
Sharon Collins, Marie Fahlgren, Jessica Lang, Erin McDaniel, Jason McDaniel, Spencer Perry