Cast Announced For BoHo's BRIGHT STAR

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.

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.

BoHo's production of BRIGHT STAR will be directed and choreographed by Ericka Mac, whose credits include choreography such productions as MAMMA MIA (Marriott), RIDE THE CYCLONE (Chicago Shakespeare and off-Broadway), and PARADE (Writers Theatre) as well as assistant director on COMPANY (Writers) and associate director/choreographer on MADAGASCAR (Chicago Shakespeare). Julie Nichols is Music Director.

Mac's cast will include 2018 Jeff Award winner Missy Wise (Alice), Jeff Pierpoint (Billy), Josiah Robinson (Jimmy Ray), Scott Danielson (Mayor Dobbs), Kiersten Frumkin (Margo), Rachel Whyte (Lucy), Dwayne Everett (Daryl), Peter Robel (Daddy Cane), John B. Boss (Daddy Murphy), Jenny Rudnick (Mama Murphy), and Brittany Sue Hines, Max Kramer, Jennifer Ledesma, Kelan Smith, and Mike Weaver as the ensemble.

The production team includes Lauren M. Nichols (Scenic Design), G. Max Maxin (Lighting and Projection Design), Bob Kuhn (Costume Design),Joe Palermo (Sound Design), Joe Palermo (Properties Design), Andrea Swanson (Assistant Music Director), Lindsay Brown (Production Manager), Dalton Long (Stage Manager), Meg Love (Producer).

"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.