Central Wyoming College presents musical Bright Star
For immediate release
Riverton, Wyo. — Central Wyoming College presents “Bright Star,” a musical by Steve Martin (book and music) and Edie Brickell (lyrics), set against the backdrop of the Appalachian Mountains in the 1920s and 1940s, Thursday, March 13 through Saturday, March 22. It is a story about love, loss, and the pursuit of dreams, drawing inspiration from the bluegrass music of the era.
“A few years ago, I saw a production of ‘Bright Star’ and I fell in love with the music and the story it tells,” says Joey West, Central Wyoming College’s Instructor of Theater. “Alice Murphy grows up in a small town in North Carolina, she falls in love with the mayor’s son and has a baby. After Alice’s son is born, he’s taken away from Alice, and Alice goes to College to study English and Journalism. Alice spends the show sharing her story with us through song and dance, through her past and present. It’s a beautiful story filled with some of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever staged.”
“When CWC produced ‘Paint Your Wagon’ we had a live band and as soon as we began working together, I knew we had the right people to do “Bright Star,” adds West. “The musical is based on the ‘Tale of the Iron Mountain Baby’ by William Helms. We’ve been able to put an incredible team together to produce this show. I’m working with one of the best casts, crews, and teams I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with.”
People who like bluegrass music, singing, dancing, and acting will enjoy this musical by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell. The cast is a mix of Central Wyoming College students and community members.
“Our cast and crew work very hard every night,” says West. “It is an honor to work with them to bring this story to light. I couldn’t do this without my team and I’m so grateful for them. Please come and support our local community college.”
The plot revolves around Alice Murphy, a successful magazine editor in 1945 who is haunted by her past. Through a chance encounter with a young writer named Jimmy Ray Dobson, Alice begins to uncover secrets from her youth, back in the 1920s. As the story unfolds, it reveals a complicated love story, a tragic family secret, and themes of redemption and second chances.
The narrative moves back and forth in time, connecting the lives of Alice and Jimmy Ray and revealing how their fates have been intertwined in ways they never could have imagined. The musical blends heartfelt, emotional storytelling with an energetic bluegrass score, creating a deeply poignant experience about how the past shapes our present.
At its core, “Bright Star” is about the power of hope, the enduring nature of love, and the search for forgiveness, all set to a vibrant and evocative musical score.
“Playing Alice Murphy in Bright Star at CWC is such an extremely rewarding experience,” says Kadie Crook, who is playing Alice. “I’ve learned so much about resilience and hope through her story. She has such a wide range of emotions and pushes me to grow as an actress. Her journey is so inspiring and full of emotion. I feel so lucky to be able to share her story with our community.”
BRIGHT STAR WOMEN
Nyielle Lawson- Mama Murphy/Ensemble
Kadie Crook – Alice Murphy
Aydin Vargas – Margo/Ensemble
Madeline Dike – Lucy/Ensemble
Kimberly Crook – Florence/Ensemble
Isabel Vargas – Clerk/Ensemble/Cane/Dr.Norquist
Tempyst Archer – Edna/Ensemble
Rhiannon Neale – Station Master/Ensemble
Sapphyra Taylor – Ensemble
Alana Whitaker – Ensemble
Anais Vargas – Well-Dressed Woman/Ensemble
BRIGHT STAR MEN
Osbourne Tower – Billy Cane
Timothy Stong – Jimmy Ray
Ezekiel Neale – Ensemble
Luke Kullman – Stanford/Ensemble
Matt Hartman – Daryl/Ensemble
Sam Tower – Daddy
Jonathan Rummel – Mayor Dobbs
Coulter Neale – Daddy Murphy
Henry Tower – Max/Ensemble
BRIGHT STAR BAND
Sam Tower – Banjo
Kimber Tower – Piano
Erica Flom – Violin
Feike van Dijk – Percussion
BRIGHT STAR CREW
Caterina Hancock – Production Stage Manager
Sarah Bolte – Backstage Matriarchal Angel
Jordan Yager – Greeter/Crew Assistant
WHAT: Bright Star
WHERE: Central Wyoming College’s Robert A Peck Theater, 2660 Peck Ave, Riverton, WY
WHEN: Thursday, March 13 – Saturday, March 22
TICKETS: https://www.cwc.edu/tickets/
2660 Peck Avenue
Riverton, WY 82501
(307) 855-2000
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120 Enterprise Blvd.
Lander, WY 82520
(307) 332-3394
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240 S. Glenwood St #124
P.O. Box 4795
Jackson, WY 83001
(307) 733-7425
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302 W. Ramshorn
P.O. Box 175
Dubois, WY 82513
(307) 455-2625
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