Bright Star

Notes

Since arriving at Pioneer Theatre Company, I’ve said that I wanted to bring the best shows available to our stage. So I keep a “list”—shows that I’ve seen in New York that I feel will particularly appeal to our audience.  I know our audience likes to see things they can’t see at other theatres around the city, and I’m often asked about shows that simply aren’t being licensed to regional theatres. Hamilton, for instance; or Wicked; or The Lion King, to name a few.

Two years ago, I added Bright Star to the “list.” I loved the show. It was beautiful to look at, and listen to, and I felt it would resonate with this community. But when would it be available? Certainly, with its pedigree (Steve Martin and Edie Brickell!), it would tour before the rights would be available to us. And it is touring—but with the help of two very old friends, Broadway producer Joey Parnes and Center Theatre Group Producing Director Doug Baker. So Pioneer Theatre has joined in a unique partnership with the original Broadway production and the Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles to be able to present this musical to you now. We’re the third city, after Broadway, to host Bright Star with the incomparable Carmen Cusack reprising her Tony-nominated Broadway role.

My thanks to Joey, Doug and everyone associated with Bright Star.

—Karen Azenberg, Artistic Director