‘Bright Star’ pairs bluegrass and Broadway

A glorious score and moving story from Grammy, Emmy and Academy Award winner Steve Martin and Grammy Award winner Edie Brickell shine in “Bright Star,” which opens at the Cumberland County Playhouse on Friday, April 26.

“I’m beyond thrilled to bring this glorious new musical to the Playhouse Mainstage,” says Producing Director Bryce McDonald, who also directs.

“It’s simply a beautiful story with a breathtaking score that’s a perfect combination of bluegrass and Broadway.”

Inspired by a real event, “Bright Star” is a sweeping tale of love and redemption set in and around Asheville, North Carolina, in the 1920s and ’40s.

If you go

› What: “Bright Star”

› Where: Cumberland County Playhouse, 221 Tennessee Ave., Crossville, Tennessee

› When: Multiple shows April 26-June 6

› Admission: $16, $30, $32

› For more information: 931-484-5000

Told with emotional truth through Martin’s elegantly simple story and Brickell’s marvelous music, “Bright Star” follows aspiring young writer Billy Cane (Ross Griffin), recently returned from World War II, and Alice Murphy (Christine Rowan), the editor who takes a chance on him.

As Billy returns to his childhood home seeking inspiration for his stories, Alice revisits her own small-town past — and the secrets she

uncovers will change her life forever.

Other principal players in “Bright Star” are Daniel Black as Daddy Cane, Justin Burr as Stanford Adams, DeAnna Etchison as Margo Crawford, Jess Griffin as Lucy Grant, Chris Hallowes as Jimmy Ray Dobbs, Britt Hancock as Mayor Josiah Dobbs, Playhouse newcomer Jesse Kortus as Daryl Ames, Jason Ross as Daddy Murphy, Weslie Webster as Mama Murphy and Grayson Yockey as Dr. Norquist.

Malachi Banegas, Cory Clark, Jensen Crain-Foster, Hannah Hays, Rachel Lawrence, Lauren Marshall, Charlie Munday and Caitlin Schaub round out the ensemble. The show’s music director is Lauren Marshall and the choreographer is Jensen Crain-Foster.

“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 Circle awards for Outstanding New Broadway Musical and Outstanding Score.

“Bright Star” will play through June 6, and is rated PG

Tickets may be purchased at 931-484-5000 or www.ccplayhouse.com. adults, $7 students.