30 Years in the Making
High School Theatre Alumni Reunite to Tackle Steve Martin & Edie Brickell’s Bright Star
NEWTON – From the suburbs of New Jersey to the foothills of North Carolina, a powerhouse pair of creative minds began their theatrical journey on the heels of Hurricane Hugo as “Image Players” at West Caldwell High School in 1989. Today, they’re directing one of the most beloved shows around; Steve Martin & Edie Brickell’s Bright Star.
Music Director, Jeff Hartman transferred from Jersey to begin his Sophomore year at West Caldwell. Director, David Townsend was beginning his Freshman year. Both immersed themselves in West’s theatre program beneath the wings of Jan Lail Pritchard.
“This will be a milestone for David and me, as this fall marks 30 years since we started in theatre together,” said Hartman.
“It’s a sweet, full-circle moment. I can’t think of a better way to honor Jan and our alma mater. Feels like home. Help us celebrate with this inspirational work of art!
Hartman and Townsend have been performing and directing on their own paths since their time at WCHS. It’s taken three decades to bring them together as one of the hottest creative teams in town, including Choreographer Melissa Statema.
“Sometimes, during rehearsal, I just sit and let the voices of this cast singing this gorgeous music wash over me and I am overwhelmed,” Townsend said.
“Every person involved with this production is someone I hold in the highest esteem and I am humbled to be at the helm along with Jeff Hartman and Melissa Statema. Reserve your seats now to make sure you have the chance to see this beautiful show!”
Inspired by a true story and featuring the Tony-nominated score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s Bright Star tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ’40s. When literary editor Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from World War II, he awakens her longing for the child she once lost. Haunted by their unique connection, Alice sets out on a journey to understand her past—and what she finds has the power to transform both of their lives. With beautiful melodies and powerfully moving characters, the story unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion. An uplifting theatrical journey that holds you tightly in its grasp, Bright Star is as refreshingly genuine as it is daringly hopeful.
The cast includes Coleson Berlin, Clint Brittain, Joan Coppinger, Autumn Dagenhardt, Elizabeth Edwards, Heather Edwards, Simmon Fecho, Trish Folsom, Eric Hauss, Carol Anne Hartman, Sherry Johnson, Casey Knighton, Rachel Knighton, Sara Lane, Emily Michaels, Joey Moray, Samantha Munoz, Jonathan Ray, Kathy Ray, Danielle Siers, Kurt Sigmon, Andrew Turnbull, Jack Verner, Josie Wert, Steve Wert and Derek Zealy-Wright.
The band includes Andrea Barklage, Leigh Ann Lackey, Colin Ray, Charlton Seaver, Brett Setzer and Gabriel Wiseman.
Bright Star opens at The Green Room in Newton, NC on September 6th and runs every Friday-Sunday, closing on the 22nd. Please call 828-464-6128 or visit thegreenroomtheatre.org for more information.
John F. Feldhusen has written, “Teaching basic skills and subject matter—the fundamental duties of teachers—can be abundantly satisfying if done creatively and successfully. But finding and nurturing special talents in children and youth, and seeing those students and their talents blossom are among the great joys of teaching.”
As a beginning teacher, I was lucky enough to understand this concept. I remember seeing not only the student sitting in my classroom but also the vibrant, developed adult he or she could become. Never was this concept more apparent than in my experiences teaching high school drama and directing theatrical productions. It was easy to see the potential that lay in so many of my students. Two of my favorites are none other than David Townsend and Jeff Hartman, the collaborating directors of The Green Room’s production of Bright Star.
I first recognized their special talents when I cast them as the hilariously funny duo of Thurston Wheelis and Arles Struvie in our 1991 production of Greater Tuna. Individually they were gifted in their acting abilities and their dedication to the theatre; however, together they were magnificent! In later productions, I saw their myriad of talent in music, stagecraft, and conceptualization, but it was in their magical collaboration in Greater Tuna that I saw what they could become.
I have followed the work of both Jeff and David over the next twenty-eight years and have been thrilled at their growth and success. But as I anticipate the upcoming production of Bright Star in which they will once again combine their talents, I simply know it will be a smashing success!
The play is the brainchild of the amazingly funny Steve Martin and the American singer-songwriter Edie Brickell. And now it will be produced by another amazing pair right here in Newton, North Carolina, only a short distance from the play’s original setting in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The play will be directed by David Townsend, a clever wit and savvy stage actor himself. Serving as musical director will be Jeff Hartman, another American singer-songwriter and multi-talented instrumentalist. Not since Batman and Robin has such a dynamic duo hit the stage. Everyone attending the show is in for a treat, but no one there will enjoy seeing her vision of David’s and Jeff’s potential come to fruition more than their high school drama director, Jan Lail Pritchard.