Shows On Our Radar: BoHo Theatre Launches 15th Season with Steve Martin and Edie Brickell’s “Bright Star”

ChiIL Live Shows on our radar

BRIGHT STAR

Music, lyrics, and book by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell

Directed and choreographed by Ericka Mac

Music Direction by Julie Nichols

March 16 – May 5, 2019

Performing at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago

BoHo Theatre begins its 2019 season with BRIGHT STAR, a new musical by playwright Steve Martin and musician Edie Brickell, directed by Ericka Mac. This production marks the company’s first as a resident company at Lincoln Park’s Greenhouse Theater Center and also the first under new artistic director Stephen Schellhardt. BRIGHT STAR was nominated for five Tony Awards and called “a shining achievement” by The New York Times. It received a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music and Outer Critics Circles Awards for Outstanding New Broadway Musical and Outstanding Score.

THE PLAY
BoHo is proud to bring to Chicago this new work from Grammy, Emmy, and Academy Award-winner Steve Martin and Grammy Award-winner Edie Brickell. Inspired by a real event, BRIGHT STAR tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ‘40s. The story follows young writer Billy Cane, recently returned from World War II, and Alice Murphy, the editor who takes a chance on him. As Billy mines his childhood home for engaging stories, Alice sets out to explore the pain and mystery of her own small-town past. The overlapping secrets they uncover lead them a startling and heart-warming connection.

“For me, BRIGHT STAR is about how unconditional love and hope can overcome obstacles,” says director Ericka Mac. “How forgiveness can redeem a person/situation and create miracles.” Similar to many recent BoHo productions, the music  in BRIGHT STAR will be fully integrated into the storytelling by having actors play their own instruments to create a seamless, up-close musical experience.

Left-right: Josiah Robinson, Missy Wise, Jeff Pierpoint, Scott Danielson, Kiersten Frumkin

PERFORMANCE TIMES
Previews: Saturday, March 16 @ 8:00pm, Sunday, March 17 @ 2:00pm, Thursday, March 21 @ 8:00pm, and Friday, March 22 @ 8:00pm
Press Opening / Opening Night: Saturday, March 23, at 8:00 pm 
Performance run: March 24 – May 5
Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 2:00 pm.

TICKETS
General Tickets on sale February 19 at www.BoHoTheatre.com, (773) 975-8150, or the Greenhouse Theater Center box office. Tickets are $25 for previews and $35 for regular performances.

Steve Martin has been a prolific comedian, musician, and writer dating back to the 1960s, when he first came to public notice as a writer for THE SMOTHERS BROTHERS COMEDY HOUR. He began his playwriting career in 1993 with PICASSO AT LAPIN AGILE, and has also written THE UNDERPANTS, and METEOR SHOWER. A life-long banjo-player, he is a frequent collaborator with the bluegrass band Steep Canyon Rangers.

Edie Brickell is a singer-songwriter who first achieved fame with her band The New Bohemians in the 1980s with the single “What I Am.” She began a successful solo career beginning the in the 1990s and later founded the band The Gaddabouts in 2010. Martin and Brickell collaborated on the bluegrass/folk albums LOVE HAS COME FOR YOU and SO FAMILIAR prior to writing BRIGHT STAR. Their song “Love Has Come For You” won a Grammy Award for Best American Roots Song in 2013.

Ericka Mac is a Chicago-based director and choreographer. Her Chicagoland credits as choreographer/associate director include  MAMMA MIA! (Jeff Award nomination for Best Choreography), SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE! (Marriott Theatre), SHREW’D (First Folio Theatre), RIDE THE CYCLONE (Chicago Shakespeare, MCC Theatre (Off Broadway), & ACT Theatre (Seattle)), DIARY OF A WIMPY KID (World Premiere at The Children’s Theatre of Minneapolis), PARADE and COMPANY (Writer’s Theatre), WTTW’s NIGHT ON BROADWAY Gala featuring Heather Headley (WTTW/WFMT studios), SEUSSICAL (Drury Lane Oakbrook), MADAGASCAR and THE LITTLE MERMAID (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), ALICE’S ROCK & ROLL ADVENTURE (Chicago Children’s Theatre), and THE POLAR EXPRESS (Warner Bro’s./Rail Events). 

CAST
Missy Wise as Alice, 
Josiah Robinson as Jimmy Ray, 
Jeff Pierpoint as Billy,
Scott Danielson as Mayor Dobbs,
Kiersten Fumkin as Margo,
Rachel Whyte as Lucy,
Dwayne Everett as Daryl,
Peter Robel as Daddy Cane
John B. Boss as Daddy Murphy
Jenny Rudnick as Mama Murphy 
with Brittany Sue Hines, Max Kramer, Jennifer Ledesma, Kelan Smith, and Mike Weaver as the ensemble.

PRODUCTION TEAM
Produced by Meg Love
Scenic Design by Lauren M. Nichols, Lighting Design by G. Max Maxin, Costume Design by Bob Kuhn, Sound Design by Joe Palermo, Properties Design by Lacie Hexom, Assistant Music Director by Andrea Swanson, Production Managed by Lindsay Brown, Stage Managed by Dalton Long.




BoHo Theatre tells stories examining and celebrating human relationships — focusing on the Bohemian pillars of Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and Love — using bold, intimate theatrical stagings. Our vision is to create a shared community of artists and patrons in which all members are moved through art to make thoughtful, well-examined, caring relationships the highest priority in their lives.

BoHo’s 2019 mainstage season features BRIGHT STAR by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, directed by Ericka Mac; THE RIVER by Jez Butterworth, directed by Jerrell L. Henderson; and BIG FISH by Andrew Lippa and John August, directed by Stephen Schellhardt. BoHo is a resident company at the Greenhouse Theater Center in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood.

ACT OUT OPENING: The Underpants at Buffalo Theatre Ensemble

THE UNDERPANTS  by Carl Sternheim adapted by Steve Martin   Directed by BTE Associate Artistic Director Amelia Barrett

BUFFALO THEATRE ENSEMBLE PRESENTS
“THE UNDERPANTS," BY CARL STERNHEIM,
ADAPTED BY STEVE MARTIN 
JAN. 18 – FEB. 3, 2013

Buffalo Theatre Ensemble (BTE) presents “The Underpants," by Carl Sternheim, adapted by Steve Martin, directed by BTE Associate Artistic Director Amelia Barrett*+and featuring BTE Ensemble member Kurt Naebig*+ at the Building K Theatre, west of the intersection of Lambert Rd. and Fawell Blvd., on the northwest end of College of DuPage Campus, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn, Ill. Jan. 18 - Feb. 3. A preview will be held Jan. 17. For more information, call the MAC Ticket Office at (630) 942-4000, or purchase tickets online
 
Steve Martin adapts Carl Sternheim's 1910 comedy “The Underpants” bringing to life this farce mixed with meaningful social commentary. The setting is Dusseldorf. The action begins when Louise, a beautiful but neglected young wife, is attending the king’s parade and unexpectedly drops her drawers. Great concern overcomes her husband, Theo, as he fears a scandal and financial ruin. Yet, the incident attracts suitors to rent the spare room in their home while bringing underlying surprises of their own. The “underpants” bring fame and attention, but at what price? The New York Daily News says of the play, “Not since Monica Lewinsky’s thong almost toppled a presidency has a pair of panties caused such a national fuss.”
 
“From Lady Gaga to Madonna to Lindsay Lohan to Janet Jackson’s ‘wardrobe malfunction’ at the 2004 Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show, our airwaves, web pages and newspapers are filled with accounts of people seeking fame with a touch of notoriety,” says director Barrett. “We all like to click our tongues with disapproval, yet we are intrigued and seek out more of what is entertainment…perhaps not so pure and but definitely simple. While this play gives our audiences the chance to reflect on this social phenomenon, it also provides a light-hearted two hours of madcap mayhem to make them smile and shake off the winter doldrums.” 
 
Steve Martin is one of today's most talented performers. He has had huge success as a film actor, with such credits as “Cheaper by the Dozen,” “Father of the Bride,” “Roxanne,” “Parenthood,” “L.A. Story” and many others. He has won Emmys for his television writing and two Grammys for his comedy albums. In addition to his bestselling novel “The Pleasure of My Company” and a collection of comic pieces, “Pure Drivel,” he has also written a play, “Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” which premiered at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company in 1993. In 2002, he adapted the Carl Sternheim” play ‘Die Hose” or “The Underpants,” which ran Off Broadway at Classic Stage Company that same year.
The cast for “The Underpants” features Lombard’s Kurt Naebig*+ in the role of Theo Maske. He will be joined by Chicagoans Patrick Tierney (Frank Versati), Gregory Rothman (Benjamin Cohen), and Kelli Walker (Gertrude Deuter); Carol Stream’s Lynda Wellhausen (Louise Maske) and Aurora’s Bruce Worthel (Klinglehoff). The design team includes Glen Ellyn’s Amelia Barrett*+ (director), Aurora’s Michael Moon* (scenic design), Wheaton’s Gretchen Woodley (costume design), Lyle’s Jon Gantt* (lighting design), Warrenville’s Don Hood (sound design), Downer’s Grove’s Valerie Espinoza (hair and makeup design) and Chicago’s Brad Sauper (properties design). Equity Stage Manager is Chicago’s Erin Diener+; Naperville’s Tim Vogel is Assistant Stage Manager.
 
Director Barrett is Associate Artistic Director of BTE. Her directing credits with BTE include last season’s acclaimed production of “Tuesday’s With Morrie.” Other BTE directing credits include “Private Lives” and “The Baltimore Waltz.” As a member of the acting ensemble, she was most recently been seen by BTE audiences in Eppie Lederer in “The Lady With All the Answers.” Other BTE acting credits include Charlotte in “Moon Over Buffalo” and Frankie in “Frankie and Johnny in the Claire de Lune.”

Buffalo Theatre Ensemble (BTE) presents “The Underpants," by Carl Sternheim,adapted by Steve Martin, at the Building K Theatre, west of the intersection of Lambert Rd. and Fawell Blvd., on the northwest end of College of DuPage Campus, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn, Ill. Jan. 18 - Feb. 3. A preview will be held Jan. 17. Performances are Thursday-Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 to $33. $2 discounts are available for non-COD students and seniors age 60 and over. For more information, call the MAC Ticket Office at (630) 942-4000, or purchase tickets online at www.AtTheMAC.org.
 
Buffalo Theatre Ensemble, under the direction of artistic director Connie Canaday Howard and associate artistic director Amelia Barrett is a professional Equity theater company in residence at the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage. It is rooted in the idea that an acting ensemble and company, who have a history of working together and have developed a sense of trust and community, can create better art. It is committed to the American tradition of creating believable characters in the context of the production's style. BTE’s 2012-2013 season includes David Rambo's "The Lady with All the Answers" (Sept. 7 - 23), "The Underpants," by Carl Sternheim, adapted by Steve Martin (Jan. 18 - Feb. 3) and Christopher Trumbo's "Trumbo-Red, White & Blacklisted" (May 3 - 19).
 

* Denotes BTE Ensemble member
+ Denotes Member of Actors Equity Association

 
The McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, located 25 miles west of Chicago near I-88 and I-355, houses three performance spaces, an art gallery and classrooms for the college’s academic programming. This unique facility has presented theater, music, dance and visual art to more than 1.5 million people since its opening in 1986 and last year welcomed more than 75,000 patrons from the greater Chicago area. The MAC began major renovations in fall 2012 that will update the major performance spaces, address significant infrastructure needs and improve several academic program areas. Scheduled completion date is spring 2014. The project will cost $35 million and is funded by the $168 million referendum that voters of District 502 passed in November 2010. Other projects beginning this year include the renovation of the Physical Education Center, Student Resource Center and Seaton Computing Center, and construction of the Campus Maintenance Center. The mission of the McAninch Arts Center is to foster enlightened educational and performance opportunities, which encourage artistic expression, establish a lasting relationship between people and art, and enrich the cultural vitality of the community. For more information visit www.AtTheMAC.org.