Bright Star, Inspired by a True Story

Billy Cane, recently returned to the North Carolina from the front lines of World War II, dreams of becoming a writer. He meets editor Alice Murphy, who gives him hope by paying him for one of his stories. However, the most compelling story of Billy’s life brings him and Alice together in unexpected ways. With music by comedian / writer / actor / musician Steve Martin and Edie Brickell of the New Bohemians, this new Broadway musical tells a sweeping tale of love, loss, and hope.

A preshow talk is offered in the West Lobby 30 minutes prior to curtain.

Listen to the original Broadway cast recording on Spotify.

Season tickets are now on sale. Individual tickets will go on sale online, 10:00 AM, Monday, July 28, and at the ticket office at noon, Tuesday, July 29, 2025.

If ticket prices are keeping you away from this show, please call the ticket office at 515.277.6261, Noon-5:00 PM, Tuesday-Friday. We have supporters who want to make sure everyone gets a chance to see this production.

Performance Times:
7:30 PM Wednesdays through Saturdays & 2:00 PM Sundays and Saturday, Oct. 4
Theatre:
Signature Series in the John Viars Theatre
Run Time:
TBD
Content Advisory:
The Playhouse does not rate subject matter as sensitivities vary from person to person. If you have questions about content, age appropriateness, or other aspects of the show (ie strobe lights and other theatrical effects), please contact the ticket office at 515.277.6261.

Company

  • Daddy Cane

    Steve Betz

    Daddy Cane
  • Bus Driver / Flirtatious Guy / Ensemble

    Whit Ellsworth

    Bus Driver / Flirtatious Guy / Ensemble
  • Margo

    Alysa Goethe

    Margo
  • Max / Ensemble

    Ben Green

    Max / Ensemble
  • Mama Murphy

    Charissa Hamel

    Mama Murphy
  • Alice Murphy

    Rebecca Hunt

    Alice Murphy
  • Billy Cane

    Will Johnson

    Billy Cane
  • Siren

    Carolyn Kester

    Siren
  • Bartender / Ensemble

    Dionysus Lewis Manuel Jr

    Bartender / Ensemble
  • Maid / Nurse / Ensemble

    Katie Mcgee

    Maid / Nurse / Ensemble
  • Doctor N / Ensemble

    Andy McKissick

    Doctor N / Ensemble
  • Government Clerk / Ensemble

    Samm Nicolino

    Government Clerk / Ensemble
  • Young Daddy Cane / Ensemble

    Lucas Obert

    Young Daddy Cane / Ensemble
  • Mayor Josiah Dobbs

    Paul Olson

    Mayor Josiah Dobbs
  • Stanford

    Shawn Pavlik

    Stanford
  • Maid / Well-Dressed Woman / Ensemble

    Brittany Roach

    Maid / Well-Dressed Woman / Ensemble
  • Edna / Ensemble

    Hannah Rublaitus

    Edna / Ensemble
  • Daryl Adams

    Dan Tatulli

    Daryl Adams
  • Lucy

    Ashley Schaeffer

    Lucy
  • Jimmy Ray Dobbs

    Ethan Seiser

    Jimmy Ray Dobbs
  • Siren

    Abbey Tauchen

    Siren
  • Daddy Murphy

    Christopher White

    Daddy Murphy
  • Florence / Ensemble

    Alayna Wilber

    Florence / Ensemble
  • Siren

    Maggie Wise

    Siren
  • Director

    Katrina Ploof

    Director
  • Music Director

    Brandon Record

    Music Director
  • Choreographer

    Stella Webster

    Choreographer
  • Set Designer

    Benjamin Kramer

    Set Designer
  • Costume Designer

    Angela Lampe

    Costume Designer
  • Lightning Designer

    Sam Stephen

    Lightning Designer
  • Sound Designer

    Mary Baca

    Sound Designer
  • Properties Designer

    Beth Gibbins

    Properties Designer
  • Stage Manager

    Avery Johnson

    Stage Manager
  • Assistant Director

    Toni K Farris

    Assistant Director
  • Assistant Stage Manager

    Greg Millar

    Assistant Stage Manager
  • Artistic Director

    Katy Merriman

    Artistic Director

Show Credits

Music, Book & Story by Steve Martin & Music, Lyrics & Story by Edie Brickell • 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, AC Orang International, Broadway Across America, Sally Jacobs & Warren Baker, Diana DiMenna, Exeter Capital, Agnes Gund, True Love Production, 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

Sponsored by

  • Infomax Office Systems