“If you knew my story, you’d have a good story tell,” sings Alice (Brooke Wittenmeier) in Long Beach Landmark Theatre Company’s production of “Bright Star,” a musical written by Steve Martin (yes, that Steve Martin) and Edie Brickell, continuing through June 15 at the First Congregational Church of Long Beach.
On opening night last Friday, an usher casually mentioned that she hoped we’d brought tissues because we were going to need them. And it’s true — “Bright Star” is inspired by a true story of a cataclysmic event, hope and redemption.
Set in the 1920s and ’40s in the American South, it tells the story of soldier Billy Cane (Malakai Howard) returning home from war to the news his mother had died while he was away.
But Billy’s aspirations as a writer soon lead him to the big city to find his own “bright star,” submitting stories to the Asheville Southern Journal and hoping they will at least read one.
There he meets literary editor Alice Murphy (Wittenmeier), a driven professional who has fostered some of the region’s greatest writers. But Alice’s hard exterior belies a heart-wrenching tragic backstory from her youth involving the son of an ambitious mayor, a cabin in the woods and a truly “awful evil deed.”
Billy’s and Alice’s two seemingly disparate storylines collide with force and drama in Act 2, ultimately offering hope and redemption to them both.
Much of the story’s deep emotion is conveyed through the musical’s nearly two dozen songs, with live music on stage (directed by Curtis Heard) featuring musicians on piano, banjo, bass, drums, cello, fiddle, viola and guitar performing riveting and catchy bluegrass tunes, with some solos.
Both the music and vocals are crisp, engaging, and definitely a strong feature of “Bright Star.” Directed and choreographed by Megan O’Toole, the musical overall is a satisfying and heart-tugging experience, reminding us of the power of the stories we tell — and those we don’t.
Long Beach Landmark Theatre Company’s “Bright Star” continues through June 15 at the First Congregational Church of Long Beach, 241 Cedar Ave., with shows Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $35 to $65 and can be purchased by calling the box office at 562-366-0085 or visiting LBLandmark.org. Street parking is free after 6 p.m. and flat-fee parking is available in the Civic Center parking garage nearby. The venue’s courtyard café with light refreshments is open one hour before each performance.