By Eva Trieger
LA MESA, California — I guess I’m a sucker for storytelling based on real life events. Comedian/Actor/Writer and banjo player Steve Martin teamed up with American singer/songwriter (and Paul Simon’s wife!) Edie Brickell to write the music, book and story of Bright Star. Lamplighters Community Theatre bravely took on this complex story with a cast of more than twelve actors and six musicians!
The two parallel stories of young love and natural and imposed hurdles are told through song and dance. Alice Murphy (Keri Miller), a vivacious headstrong young woman crosses an invisible line in 1923 that changes her life trajectory. Through a series of events, the loves of her life are cruelly taken from her. Fast forward to a post war North Carolina, in 1945, where the audience meets WWII veteran, Billy Cane (Mitchell Krassin).
Cane is an aspiring young writer who yearns to be published but has yet to be recognized as a talent. After returning home to his father (Michael Harrison), Billy finds himself re-introduced to a more grown up version of his childhood acquaintance, Margo Crawford (Hannah Roskelley). She has grown up and he develops a greater interest in her beyond her role as the local bookseller.
Billy’s quest as an aspiring writer takes him to an editor’s office where he meets Daryl Ames (Anthony Donovan) and Lucy Grant (Marcy Ledvinka). This pair alternate between encouraging the writer and scoffing at him. Donovan plays a great smirky, sarcastic gent, while Lucy is a somewhat vampy temptress, trying to break down Billy Cane’s defenses. This is particularly fun and palpable in “Another Round.”
The story reveals class struggles, social stigmas and the ongoing fight for female independence from men. It is the story of love, loss and redemption. Young Alice meets and falls for Jimmy Ray (Christopher Miller). However, his daddy, Mayor Josiah Dobbs (Don Evans) has other plans for him that include carrying on the dynasty. He will see to it that his son “marries up” to enhance and guarantee the family fortune.
Alice’s father (Lee Price) cannot endorse such an ill-fated union for his own mercenary reasons as well as fearing the shanda of a pregnant daughter. His wife, Mama Murphy (Josalyn Johnson) doesn’t necessarily approve of her unmanageable daughter, but is horrified by her husband’s response as it tugs at her Tiger Mother heartstrings.
Members of the ensemble play multiple roles all involving singing and brilliantly choreographed dancing. The ensemble includes Nikki Lyn Maas, Matt Sayre, Odie Taylor and Car Thometz.
And while they don’t have speaking parts, the six musicians seated on stage really were impressive! The bluegrass and folk music is a true highlight of this show. The instruments included acoustic bass, banjos, guitars, mandolins, piano, accordion, viola, and fiddle. The members of the band were in complete sync with each other and their expertise leant an authenticity to the storyline. Kudos to Sean Collins, Mike Reyes, Dakota Ringer, Andrew Snyder, Jerrica Stone and Michael Tyree.
The entire production team also elevated the experience beyond a 140-minute afternoon of theatre. Producers Cydney King and Nancy Roger, and Director Teri Brown worked with Jerrica Stone and Robert Johnson, co-musical directors. Abby Lacey, Assistant Dramaturg perfected the North Carolina twangs, while choreographer Sharla Mandere provided some intricate square dancing and clever use of the stage to maximize the action. The set, designed by Katrina Peterson and David Gallagher, was simple but very effective, again working perfectly with Lamplighters’ space.
While parts of the tale create a sense of dark and despair, there is humor and hope and the finale delivers on its revelation of the power of redemption. Where there is love, there is future!
Bright Star runs through May 18 Tickets may be purchased by phone at 619.303.5092 or online at boxoffice@ lamplighterslamesa.com
*
Eva Trieger is a freelancer specializing in the coverage of the arts.