Red Barn Summer Theatre Artistic Director Michael Taylor stopped in a theater while on vacation to see “Bright Star.”
“I fell in love with the story and the music,” Taylor said. “As soon as I saw it, I became an instant fan. It’s one I’ve wanted to do for a while. We were supposed to do it (in 2020) before the pandemic. It’s kind of been a blessing in disguise because of the voices we have this summer really fit it.”
Red Barn will present “Bright Star” July 7 to 17 at the Frankfort venue.
The musical, which debuted in San Diego in 2014, was written and composed by comedian-actor-musician Steve Martin and singer-songwriter Edie Brickell. The story follows a woman in two parts of her life as a young girl and then as a magazine editor in Asheville, N.C., 22 years later.
“Those playing the leading roles are very excited about this show and (are) as much as excited about the show as I am,” Taylor said. “Their passion is showing in rehearsals, and it will show on stage come performance (time).”
Taylor said the music is more of a country/folk sound. The musical opens in the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina in 1945-46.
“It’s a bigger ensemble than we’ve done in the past,” Taylor said. “We get a nice big sound. We have some strong voices coming in to cover these leading roles. The music is just beautiful, and I really think people are going to enjoy it.”
Taylor said the challenges are organizing all the set pieces and a large cast.
“Part of the struggle is part of the fun,” Taylor said.
Taylor said some of Martin’s humor is in the plot, but the subject is serious.
“It’s somewhat of a true story,” Taylor said.
For more, visit redbarntheatre.net.
