About the Show

Inspired by a true story and featuring the Tony-nominated score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s Bright Star is an epic story of love, loss, and redemption set against the rich backdrop of Appalachia in the 1920’s and ‘40’s. Billy Cane returns from the second world war, with literary ambitions, bringing him into contact with Alice Murphy, the fearsome editor of the esteemed Asheville Southern Journal. Alice’s story is told through a series of flashbacks, revealing the source of her secret sorrow, and the impetus for her journey of discovery and redemption that will change her and Billy’s lives, and the lives of everyone around her. With beautiful melodies informed by the traditions of bluegrass and powerfully moving characters, the story transports us to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina for an uplifting theatrical journey that will move you. Bright Star is a refreshing slice of Americana that wears its heart proudly on its sleeve.

Auditions

Audition Days

Sign Up to Audition

All interested performers must prepare a monologue of less than one minute, and a song in the
folk, Bluegrass, or Broadway style. Sides will be provided at the audition.

A separate audition will be held on Tuesday, March 10 at 6 pm, only for dancers. If you wish to
be considered for an ensemble or dancer role, you must attend both auditions.

If required, callbacks will be held on Wednesday, March 11.

All members of the cast must be strong singers and actors. All members of the cast will
act as the vocal ensemble. The entire cast will be on stage for the entirety of the show
and will serve as the stage crew for set changes. There are three dance set pieces that
will be performed by dedicated dancers. Members of the cast/ensemble should be
comfortable with movement, but will not be required to dance.

Character Breakdown

Alice Murphy

Female
Must play late 30s and late teens

Alice is portrayed both as a late teenager in the 1920s and an older version of herself in the 1940s. As a young woman, she is a restless and passionate free spirit, straining against the strictures of the time and her gender. In her thirties, she is blunt and honest, respected both because of her intellectual capacity and apparent self confidence. However, Alice guards a secret that prevents her from experiencing joy.

Jimmy Ray

Male
Must play late 30s and late teens

Jimmy is a late teenager in the 1920s and an adult in the 1940s. As a teenager, Jimmy Ray is eager to explore the world, leave the confidence of his small town, and make an impact. He is confident and witty, matching Alice’s adventurous spirit as their love for each other grows. In the 1940s, Jimmy Ray still has his confidence and playfulness but is filled with guilt and a fear that he can’t fix what has been broken in his life.

Billy Cane

Male
Age 20-25

Billy is a young man who has just returned home from World War II. He is optimistic, self deprecating, and charming, and is determined to see beauty in the world despite the hardships he faced in the war. At times naive and idealistic, Billy’s energy propels him to follow his aspirations. He is self-assured and remains hopeful that his eloquent writing can contribute something important to the world.

Margo

Female
Are 20-25

Margo is a young woman in Hayes Creek who runs her own bookstore. She is intelligent, educated and hard-working. She loves Billy and wants what’s best for him even at the expense of her own happiness. She is considerate to her employees, and kind to the community around her. She is the anchor for Billy, even as he leaves to seek his fortune.

Mayor Dobbs

Male
Age 50-60

Mayor Dobbs is a powerful man constrained by his ideas of tradition, class and society. Although he wants the best for his son, Jimmy Ray, however, he is willing to do and sacrifice anything to preserve his family’s future and legacy. He acts as the catalyst driving the tragedy of the story, and ultimately succumbs to alcoholism as a means of numbing his guilt.

Daddy Murphy

Male
Age 50-60

Alice’s father. In the 1920s, he struggles between his love of tradition and social standards and his love for his daughter. While Alice forges her own individual path, Daddy Murphy looks to the Bible to gain clarity, but he later realizes how he failed to account for his daughter’s needs. In the 1940s, Daddy Murphy begins to understand his daughter’s view of the world and wishes to repair what has been broken.

Mama Murphy

Female
Age 50-60

Alice’s mother. More so than Alice, she has been forced into the gender roles presented by the small town of Zebulon. However, she fights as best as she can for Alice and what she believes is right. She takes immense care to protect her daughter however she can, attempting to do so in the frame of her town’s social standards.

Daddy Cane

Male
Age 40-50

Daddy Cane is a gentle father, who loves Billy, and raises him to be strong and optimistic. Daddy Cane comes from a humble background, but he has provided for Billy and is supportive of his ambitions .

Lucy Grant

Female
Age 25-30

Lucy is a modern woman who works for Alice at the Asheville Southern Journal. She is witty and vivacious, and serves as a reminder that joy is still possible in the world. She has her own high standards for literature and is protective of her boss and her dear friend Daryl. She flirts with Billy, and represents exciting and urbane romantic potential

Daryl Ames

Male
Age 25-30

Daryl works for Alice at the Asheville Southern Journal. He is often drily sarcastic, but is always ready to let loose and party. Being a formidable editor, he is hard on Billy’s writing, but also harbors insecurities about his own work which he pens in pseudonym and hopes will one day earn the respect of Alice.

Max

Male
Age 20s

A customer at Margo‘s store, he later becomes Edna‘s beau

Florence

Female
Age 20-40

An employee at Margo’s store and a childhood friend of Billy and Margo

Edna

Female
Age 20-30

An employee at Margo‘s store

Stanford

Male
20-40

The loyal and amoral assistant to Mayor Dobbs

The role of Dr. Norquist is played by the actor playing Max, the role of the station master is played by the actor playing Stanford, the role of government clerk is played by the actor playing Florence, and the role of well-dressed woman is played by the actor playing Edna.

Volunteers

Sign up

Ushers (2) are responsible for scanning tickets, helping patrons to their seats, and cleaning the theater after the show.
Concessions volunteers (2) are responsible for selling drinks and snacks before the show and at intermission.

As a thank you, volunteers can enjoy the show for free!

Production Team