After an almost two-year delay, Riverside Center for the Performing Arts presents the highly anticipated premiere of Steve Martin and Edie Brickell’s Bright Star. The company will at long last present the Tony Award nominated piece live onstage from September 15 through October 31, 2021. Inspired by a real event – and featuring the bluegrass-tinged Grammy-nominated score, Broadway’s Bright Star is a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ’40s.
When literary editor Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from World War II, he awakens her longing for the child she once lost. Haunted by their unique connection, Alice sets out on a journey to understand her past – and what she finds has the power to transform both of their lives. Propelled by an ensemble of onstage musicians and dancers, the story of Bright Star unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion, beautiful melodies, and powerfully moving performances. An uplifting theatrical journey that holds you tight in its grasp, Bright Star is as refreshingly genuine as it is daringly hopeful.
Riverside Center’s Producing Artistic Director, Patrick A’Hearn, is thrilled to announce the outstanding cast: Adrianne Hick* (Alice Murphy), Douglas Ullman, Jr.* (Jimmy Ray Dobbs), Danny Martin (Billy Cane), John Hollinger (Daddy Cane), Evan Bertram (Margo Crawford), Jarrett Bloom (Max), Daniel Pippert (Daryl Ames), Sarah Mae Andersen (Lucy Grant), Robert John Biedermann (Daddy Murphy), Andrea Kahane (Mama Murphy), Alan Hoffman (Mayor Josiah Dobbs), Ian Lane (Stanford Adams) and Chris Zavadowski (Dr. Norquist). Completing the cast is the ensemble which includes Jarrett Bloom, Elizabeth C. Butler, Ian Charles, Kevin Cleary, Colleen Kleveno, Ian Lane, Abby Schafer, Star Spann, Stephanie Wood, and Chris Zavadowski. *Although this Theatre does not have an ongoing contract with Actors’ Equity Association, the individual actors indicated appear through the courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
The creative team is led by director Patrick A’Hearn, choreographer Stephanie Wood, and music director Carson Eubank, with scenic design by Frank Foster, lighting design by Michael Jarett, projection design by James Morrison, costume design by Kyna Chilcot, and sound design by Billy Timms. Bright Star’s creative team is completed by props master Bridgid K. Burge and production stage manager Abby Bobb.
Tickets
For tickets, contact the Box Office at (540) 370-4300 or go online to riversidedt.com. Regular price tickets: $60- $79.98. Discounted senior and group rates are available, show-only rush tickets are available the day of the performance. Evening performances start at 7:30 pm, with dinner service beginning at 5:30 pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Wednesday Matinee performances start at 1:30 pm, with dinner service beginning at 11:30 am. Sunday Matinee performances start at 3:00 pm, with dinner service beginning at 1:00 pm.
Also in the 2021 Season:
Meet Me in St. Louis – November 10 – December 31, 2021
Based on the heartwarming MGM film starring Judy Garland, Meet Me in St. Louis is a rare treasure in the musical theatre; a wholesome and delightful portrait of a turn-of-the-century American family. It is the summer of 1903, and the Smith family eagerly anticipates the opening of the 1904 World’s Fair. Over the course of a year, the family’s mutual respect, tempered with good-natured humor, helps them through romance, opportunity, and heartbreaks. The musical includes seven of the best-loved songs from the film, plus ten additional Martin and Blane songs written specially for the stage. Memorable musical numbers include ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,’ ‘The Boy Next Door,’ ‘The Trolley Song,’ and ‘Whenever I’m with You.’
Riverside’s 2022 Season:
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner – January 19 – March 6, 2022
A progressive white couple’s liberal sensibilities are put to the test when their daughter brings her black fiancé home to meet them in this fresh and relevant stage adaptation of the iconic Sidney Poitier film. Her parents aren’t the only ones with concerns about the match!
Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot – March 16 – May 8, 2022
The legendary love triangle of King Arthur, Guenevere and Sir Lancelot leaps from the pages of T.H. White’s novel in Lerner and Loewe’s award-winning, soaring musical.
Nunsense (Starring Sally Struthers) – May 18 – July 10, 2022
Sister Julia, Child of God, the cook for The Little Sisters of Hoboken, has accidentally poisoned 52 of the sisters, and the Reverend Mother is in dire need of funds for the burials. The sisters decide to raise the money with a variety show, so they take over the school auditorium, which is currently set up for the eighth grade production of “Grease.”
Murder for Two – July 20 – September 4, 2022
In this hilarious 90-minute one-act off-Broadway hit, 2 performers play 13 roles—not to mention the piano—in a witty and winking homage to old-fashioned murder mysteries.
Ghost the Musical – September 14 – November 6, 2022
A timeless fantasy about the power of love. Based on the hit 1990 movie starring Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze, and featuring the classic song, ‘Unchained Melody.’
Riverside Christmas Spectacular – November 16 – December 31, 2022
Experience the excitement, memories, and joy of Christmas as our enthralling cast of singers and dancers present the very heart and essence of the holiday season. Rekindle your Christmas spirit with your favorite holiday classics with this glittering celebration of everything that makes this ‘the most wonderful time of the year!’
About Riverside Center for the Performing Arts
Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, named Central Virginia’s Theater of the Year in 2019 by BroadwayWorld.com, is located in historic Stafford County just off I-95 in Fredericksburg, and produces the best of Broadway’s plays and musicals each year with performances Wednesday through Sunday. Follow Riverside Center on Facebook (facebook.com/riversidecenter), Twitter (@riversidecpa98), and Instagram (@riversidecpa) for behind-the-scenes info, photos, and fun throughout the year. For a complete list of shows, show times, pricing, and more information about the season, visit www.riversidedt.com.
