The musical officially opened March 24 following previews that began February 25. The show was directed by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie (Chicago). Reviews were mixed.
Since opening, Bright Star has struggled at the box office. For the week ending June 12, the production took in $527,807 out of a possible $912,056.
Bright Star co-creators Martin and Brickell — as well as Brickell's husband, Paul Simon — poured more than $1 million of their own money into the new musical, according to a recent article in the New York Post.
The trio wanted to keep the show open at least until the June 12 Tony Awards, where they hoped a performance on the broadcast would help boost sales. Although the production was nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, it went home empty-handed.
In addition to financial help, actor-musician Martin also made surprise appearances at the Cort, where he joined the onstage band.
The production did win 2016 Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Musical and Best Score and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music.“So much of Bright Star’s beauty comes from the fact that it is utterly free of irony,” said producer Joey Parnes in a recent statement. “In these cynical times, this quality proved to be totally refreshing to audience members, and also created a unique challenge in attracting them. I am so proud of this show, and I am glad that Steve, Edie and Walter, and this incredible company, brought its unique spirit to our city, if only for a while.”
Carmen Cusack, a 2016 Tony nominee, makes her Broadway debut as Alice; she is joined by Paul Alexander Nolan, Tony nominee Michael Mulheren, A.J. Shively, Hannah Elless, Tony nominee Stephen Bogardus, three-time Tony nominee Dee Hoty, Stephen Lee Anderson, Emily Padgett, Tony nominee Jeff Blumenkrantz, Maddie Shea Baldwin, Allison Briner-Dardenne, Max Chernin, Patrick Cummings, Sandra DeNise, Richard Gatta, Lizzie Klemperer, Michael X. Martin, William Michals, Tony Roach, Sarah Jane Shanks and William Youmans.
The show was developed in a previous production at the Old Globe in San Diego, CA.
Bright Star features choreography by Josh Rhodes, scenic design by Eugene Lee, costume design by Jane Greenwood, lighting design by Japhy Weideman, sound design by Nevin Steinberg, hair and wig design by Tom Watson, musical supervision by Peter Asher, musical direction and vocal arrangements by Rob Berman, orchestrations by August Eriksmoen and casting by Howie Cherpakov.
Bright Star was produced on Broadway by Joey Parnes, Sue Wagner and John Johnson, 40 Share Productions, Inc., Jay Alix and Una Jackman, James L. Nederlander and in association with The Old Globe.
For more information visit BrightStarMusical.com.
(Updated June 26, 2016)
