‘Bright Star’ at the Ti-Ahwaga Theatre in October

‘Bright Star’ at the Ti-Ahwaga Theatre in October

Freshly licensed off-Broadway musical “Bright Star,” put on by Ti-Ahwaga Community Players, will pull viewers into Appalachia with its live old-time roots Americana music and superb acting.

The production will be presented at the Ti-Ahwaga Theatre on Oct. 4 and 5 at 8 p.m. and on Sunday at 2 p.m.; on Oct. 11 and 12 at 8 p.m. and on Sunday at 2 p.m.; and on Oct. 18 and 19, and again for a final performance on Sunday at 2 p.m. 

Tickets can be purchased at the theater, located on Delphine Street in Owego, or online at www.tiahwaga.com.

Steve Martin’s “Bright Star” was nominated for Musical of the Year at the 2016 Tony Awards, however it was unable to edge out the hit “Hamilton” for the top spot. Set in 1940s North Carolina with flashbacks to the ’20s, it tells the story of Alice and the Iron Mountain Baby persevering through and reconciling with society. 

“This show has everything,” director James Osborne said. “It’s a humanistic story with birth, loss, forgiveness, reconciliation.”

He saw the musical on a whim during a trip to New York City shortly after the 2016 Tony Awards. Once the licensing was released, he pitched the musical with the unique concept to the theater to bring it to life on the Ti-Ahwaga Performing Arts Center stage.  

Osborne and Producer Paul Sanna hope that the setting and subject of the show is relatable to the community they are performing for. 

“Richford, Newark Valley, Owego — there’s a distinct identification, culturally, with Appalachia,” Sanna said. “And I think that connection that people will respond to, the music and the culture.” 

The live string band will be playing the sound of Appalachia — music reminiscent of bluegrass (although not quite bluegrass as it came out of the ’50s), swing and ballades played on the fiddle, upright bass, guitar and other old-timey instruments. Osborne, who is not normally keen to this style, was taken aback when hearing the music for the first time on Broadway and had one of the “most wonderful nights in the theater” that he could remember. 

The Ti-Ahwaga Community Players have been at work since July, casting and rehearsing the musical and dance numbers as well as designing a set that reflects Appalachia and its country warmth. 

“We were bowled over by the talent that came out of auditions,” Osborne said.

He said that everyone who auditioned for the lead came prepared with awareness, interest, and commitment to the role of Alice. The two struggled to narrow the decision down to four for callbacks, and eventually down to one. The same holds true for the rest of the cast, the producer and director said. 

The ensemble is more than just a chorus too, Sanna said. They are the ones who move the story along with their dynamic singing and dancing. Jessica Hyland is choreographing the cast of 20 in the musical, the majority of which, Sanna said, have degrees in performance and pick up everything Hyland throws at them quickly. 

With rehearsals continuing through September, Osborne and Sanna are anticipating a spectacular show to run through October.   

For more information, you can contact the theater by calling (607) 687-2130.

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