EUSTIS, Fla. – Later this month, not only can you can see a show that actors say is rarely performed, but also it will be in a theatre with more than 100 years of history.
The performance is coming from the Bay Street Players, a group of actors who first formed in 1974 to clean up the the vacant State Theatre and bring live performances back to Eustis.
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“Bright Star” is inspired by a true story featuring the Tony-nominated score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell. In 2017, it was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.
The musical is about love and redemption set in the American South in the 1920s and 1940s.
Ashley Peters is the co-director and the music director for the show. She said planning began a few months ago, but the cast came together mid-July. They have about six weeks from the first rehearsal to opening night.
“As the saying goes, it truly does take a village. Set, costumes, lights, sound, live band, props, choreography, etc. each area with its own respective designer, director have to come together to allow the audience to see not just actors on a stage, but characters in a different time and place,” Peters explained.
The musical centers around literary editor, Alice Murphy. When she meets a young soldier who returned home from World War II, he awakens her longing for the child she once lost. Alice then sets out on a journey to understand her past and what she finds transforms both of their lives.
Avry Aviles plays Alice.
“Alice Murphy is bold, headstrong, independent and deeply passionate. She’s a free spirit and a natural leader, driven by curiosity and a desire to live life fully and authentically. She grew up in 1920s North Carolina and challenged the expectations of her time, especially as a young woman pursuing a literary career,” Aviles said.
She said she can really relate to her character.
“I was born in Wilmington, North Carolina, and while we moved often because of my family’s military background, we returned when I was about 7 and lived there until I was 13. Those formative years were spent climbing trees, catching frogs, walking barefoot through the woods, really living that carefree, adventurous lifestyle. That experience gave me the same fearless spirit Alice has,” Aviles explained.
Noah Clark plays Alice’s love interest in the show, Jimmy Ray Dobbs.
“Our production has so much heart and care being put into every aspect, ranging from the choreography to the music, to the acting. Every actor in this production, alongside many of the creative team, is a volunteer and gives their talents purely for the love of this theatre and production,” Clark said. “We truly hope to reach more of the community, so everyone can see the love and care that is being put into the arts and we hope that every audience member can go home feeling more hopeful about whatever may be going on in their lives.”
Victoria Rivera plays Margo Crawford, a childhood friend of the returning soldier.
“I love how she perseveres and tries to be positive in the darkest times. She also cares about helping others and not giving up on her dreams,” Rivera said.
She gave a little hint on her favorite part of the show that she thinks the audience will enjoy.
“There’s a lot of great moments in the show, so it’s kind of hard to pick one, but a funny, silly one has to do with a chicken. And I don’t want to give that away. You’ll have to come see the show to know what I mean,” Rivera said.
Tickets range from $17.50 to $30. Click here for information.