State University Theatre and Dance will be performing a bluegrass musical, “Bright Star.” from April 3 through 5 at 7:30 p.m. and April 6 at 2:00 p.m.
The musical was written by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell. It was inspired by the true story that they heard about a baby being thrown off a train in a suitcase and surviving.
Brooklyn Mauch, who plays Alice, said her favorite moment of the show is the first few verses she sings in the opening song.
“I get to have a moment with the whole cast where we just look at each other and sing, and it’s the best feeling in the world,” Mauch said. “I feel like they’ve got my back and I got theirs.”
When talking about how she and her character are alike and different, she said Alice has a wonderful sense of sarcasm that she wishes she had.
“I’d say Alice and I are alike in our optimism and humor,” Mauch said. “I have no idea how she does it, but she always holds out hope that things will turn out okay, which is a quality I get from my mother.”
She enjoys blocking rehearsals where she gets to collaborate with her castmates and build her character.
Since Bright Star isn’t a well-known musical, Mauch is excited to surprise the audience with a story and songs they have probably never heard before.
Mauch said, “I really hope our audience is inspired by this lesson and that they know despite how dark things may be right now, the sun will shine again.”
Jacob Stevens, who plays Jimmy Ray, also said he wants the audience to be inspired by the hopeful message of the story.
“I am excited for the audience to experience the highs and lows of the story and the overall theme of redemption throughout the musical,” Stevens said.
Like Mauch, Stevens wants the audience to remember how “the sun is gonna shine again,” which is a lyric from the opening song of Act II, “Sun’s Gonna Shine.”
Stevens said there are many similarities between him and his character.
“I feel that my character and I both share the same drive and passion for what they love,” Stevens said. “For him, it’s Alice and their love story, and for me, it’s creating and performing theatre and music.”
Steven’s favorite song to sing from the show is “Heartbreaker.”
He said, “It’s so raw with emotion and really shows Jimmy Ray’s true love in the face of tragedy.”
Carl Steinlicht, the stage manager, said he can’t wait for the audience to see Stevens perform “Heartbreaker.” He said it’s absolutely gut-wrenching and an amazing performance. Steinlicht also said he loves how hopeful the title song, “Bright Star” is.
“There is a reason it’s the namesake song of the show, and the cast is doing an amazing job telling the story while they’re singing it,” Steinlicht said.
He wants the audience to walk away from “Bright Star” feeling hopeful for the future.
“Sometimes life just finds the perfect way to work out and you just have to trust it,” Steinlicht added.
Students can purchase tickets at the Box Office starting an hour and a half before the performance or online at sdstate.evenue.net.