Bright Star. Never heard of it? I’m not surprised; it was released on Broadway at the same time as Hamilton (so of course that got all the recognition). And while Bright Star is a vastly different style of musical than Hamilton (I mean, how do you compare bluegrass to rap?), it’s still a fantastic show that’s worth seeing. The set is phenomenal, the acting is worthy of a Broadway production, and the songs will be stuck in your head for weeks to come. 

The premise of the story takes place in two different time periods  – 1920s Zebulon, North Carolina, and post-World War 2 Hayes Creek, Idaho. The story begins in the latter time period, with aspiring writer Billy Cane coming home from the war to pursue his dream of being an author. He meets with the editor-in-chief of the Journal, Alice Murphy, who agrees to take a look at some of his stories after he lies to her abut meeting a famous author. The audience then takes a journey to the past with Alice as she acts out her backstory, featuring a teenage romance with her childhood sweetheart, Jimmy Ray Dobbs, who in this production, is played by our very own Mr. Elliott.

“Bright Star really transports the audience to another time,” Elliott explains. “And the songs…they’re not just good “theater” songs, but they’re meaningful in everyday life.” Another aspect of Bright Star that Mr. Elliott enjoys is the fact that above all else, this story is relatable and real. “It is difficult to play Jimmy Ray because it required tapping into every human emotion: young love, grief, anger, frustration, ambition…” The characters are raw and human, the storyline is timeless, and it all takes place in small-town North Carolina. 

To sum it all up, Bright Star is a unique musical that will make you laugh, cry, and sing along, all to the sound of bluegrass music. It’s a timeless piece that will shine in your heart forever. 

Bright Star is running at the Mill Town Players on Peltzer Road. Tickets on sale at www.milltownplayers.org.

Times and Dates: 

Friday, September 27, 7:30 pm 

Saturday, September 28, 7:30 pm

Sunday, September 29, 3:00 pm

Thursday, October 3, 7:30 pm

Friday, October 4, 7:30 pm

Saturday, October 5, 7:30 pm

Sunday, October 6, 3:00 pm

And be on the lookout for the upcoming show, Smoky Mountain Christmas, running from December 6-22!