Bright Star co-creators Steve Martin and Edie Brickell — as well as Brickell's husband, Paul Simon — have poured more than $1 million of their own money into the new musical, according to the New York Post.

The trio want to keep the show open at least until the June 12 Tony Awards, where they hope a performance on the broadcast will help boost sales at the box office. The new musical took in $443,292.50 for the week ending May 29; the Post speculates the musical costs about $600,000 to run each week.

In addition to financial help, actor-musician Martin has also been making surprise appearances at the Cort Theatre, where he has joined the onstage band.

Martin and Brickell, through their representatives, issued a statement to the Post, which reads, “We love our show and the family that has been created at the Cort Theatre. We are lucky to have been in the position to help it and should also acknowledge the support of the 12 other backers who have also invested additional money since. We are thrilled for the accolades Bright Star has received, including the Outer Critics Circle Award for best musical and five Tony nominations. We hope the momentum has a lasting impact.”

Bright Star began Broadway previews February 25 and opened March 24 at the Cort. The show is directed by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie (Chicago).

Carmen Cusack 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.

Inspired by a true event, Bright Star, according to press notes, “tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and 40s. When successful literary editor Alice Murphy (Cusack) meets an ambitious young soldier (A.J. Shively) just home from World War II, their connection inspires Alice to confront a shocking incident from her past. Together they discover a long-buried secret with the power to transform their lives.”

For more information visit BrightStarMusical.com.