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South Pasadena High School Drama Department has done quite a list of terrific, big and splashy musical theatre comedies for the spring show, usually in contrast to the more thought-provoking, smaller pieces they do for the fall play. But in choosing “Bright Star”, director Nick Hoffa is trying something new. “Bright Star really is its own little piece of art that’s very different from other musicals and I was excited to put the kind of thoughtfulness with the students into the creation of a musical in the same way that we would do for the fall play. This seemed like a great show to do that because it’s just so lovely. The music is unlike most musicals – it definitely has elements of musical theatre and it’s not 100% bluegrass, but bluegrass influenced, which makes for all kinds of really fun music.”
He wasn’t sure how it would go with the students because it was brand new to virtually all of them but he says they have really embraced it and it’s been fun watching them discover it. While the stage is not large enough to accommodate the band on stage as it is for the Broadway production, Musical Director Wylder Reinman is heading up a bluegrass band in front of the stage, leading on guitar, a talented group of students and professional musicians. “We’ve got a banjo of course,” says Hoffa, “a mandolin, a fiddle, some cellos, guitars, piano – it’s an 11-piece band and they’re amazing.”
Every year technical director James Jontz and his team bring innovation to the sets and production design and this year is no different. “Bright Star is a bit of a poem and some moments are told in a non-literal way, which means we have a lot of opportunity for some really cool lighting and Mr. Jontz has built us this huge, moving barn and we reposition the walls to tell different scenes,” Hoffa explains. “It’s very, very cool!”
The rehearsal process has been different for all of them as well. “It’s been incredibly fun because it feels creative,” says Hoffa, “the way that the play is creative. Rather than me giving them specific stage directions, we will read a scene, think about it, we’ll talk about it and kind of collectively come up with what’s the best way to stage the song. So the rehearsing itself has been more creative and fluid, which honestly has made me a bit anxious because it feels in some ways that we’re moving a little slower, but the process has been incredibly rewarding.”
The director tells us we can expect an uplifting, heartwarming show that is funny and very moving. “Steve Martin is known for big broad characters. But as a writer, he often sits with very earnest people going through very challenging situations. And he writes beautifully in that way. And I think this play is no exception, in that there are so many fun scenes, so many great songs, but also some just devastatingly beautiful and emotional moments too. I think parents should know that while the tone of the show is very uplifting and positive, there is one disturbing moment and the show deals with that and deals with its consequences. I would call the show PG 13.”
The ensemble is very important in this show and acts almost like a Greek chorus, moving the action along and storytelling through movement. “Ms. Cheyne has always done such a marvelous job with some of the more experienced dancers but the nature of this particular choreography is very accessible and each piece feels joyful,” says Hoffa. “Everyone feels like it’s a whoop and a holler!” He believes audiences will certainly come away singing the songs and hopes they will be singing and clapping along with the cast at the end of the show. “I think they will come away being introduced to a new piece that they’ve never known before and they’re going to feel great about that,” he says. “And message-wise, there are two lines that keep coming up; “the sun is going to shine again” and “love is coming home.” In this day and age, when life seems very challenging and difficult, that stubborn optimism of demanding love and insistence that the sun will shine again is a message that resonates for me and something I’m trying to relay to the cast.”
In speaking with some cast members, it is clear that they share Hoffa’s passion for this show and appreciate the level of collaboration he encourages. “I feel like I’ve really been able to connect with the show,” says Lily DiCandia, a senior playing the role of Edna. “It’s about people figuring out their lives, their past – and connecting with other people through the show, through this music. It’s this whole, big story of one woman’s life and I think it’s actually amazing. I even cried when we were doing a run-through – it’s just so beautiful and amazing and it’s definitely a show that people can connect with.”
For senior, Victoria Abelev (Daddy Cane), this is her first big role in a musical and the realization that this is also her last show in high school is just barely hitting her. “The plotline of Bright Star is pretty heavy with a lot of emphasis on human connection and familial relationships, so having it be our last show makes the message hit a lot harder because this is my community of people that I know, that I kind of grew up with and I have a lot of core memories with – so it feels like a full circle moment.”
“It really touches on and connects to the community we have,” echoes senior, Madeleine Wernberg (Asheviller). “How you can lose community or it can be threatened and it connects to family and how important that is. And the music is so beautiful – different than anything our school has done in the past, a different vibe from anything I’ve listened to or experienced, so it’s really cool.”
“I really love the music in this one,” says Vivian Yu (Lucy), who played piano for Freaky Friday last year and is excited to play a role in her first musical. “The style, the techniques are unique and different from most musicals and I’m loving it.”
“The story deals with loss and how to get through and deal with loss and how as bad as things are, they won’t be bad forever,” says Victoria. “It opens with a deep sense of loss – of losing someone that’s important. I just hope that people really see the emotional messages that we’re conveying and take to heart the different interpretations of loss that we show because there are a lot of different ways to lose somebody and different ways that can affect people throughout their lives. I hope people really connect with the messages and maybe apply it to any losses that they may be suffering through because we all suffer a loss at some point in our lives.”
The show is set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina in the 1920’s and 1940’s and all the actors give high praise to their student producers who are responsible for all the props and costumes. “I think it’s coming together beautifully,” says Madeleine. “They found so many amazing period dresses, pants, props – incredible.”
“What’s interesting about the show is that it’s not necessarily told literally – it’s very figurative in nature – like we are seeing a series of memories,” explains Victoria. “So some characters might take on more forms of androgyny or a less strict gender expression, which sounds period inaccurate but it makes sense when you see it, I promise. It is amazing to see how the producers put everything together.”
And just to add one more element to the mix, Hoffa does have them speaking in the Appalachian dialect. “Throughout the years, some characters may take on more of a transatlantic accent, although the majority of characters if not all of them, are from rural Carolinas,” explains Victoria. “It’s challenging. And it’s hard not to feel like I’m playing like a caricature. It’s hard to feel authentic. But it’s a lot of fun when you get into the groove of speaking in an Appalachian accent.”
“The great thing about Mr. Hoffa is that he genuinely has so much love for this musical,” says Lily. “He really cares about it and devotes so much time.” Victoria chimes in, “I genuinely think Mr. Hoffa is a genius. He has such a specific vision that is always executed so beautifully – so, going in, everybody just trusts, even if it doesn’t all initially make sense to us, he knows what he’s doing and we’re all going to see the vision ourselves by the time of the show. It’s always so much fun to work with him – with Mr. Hoffa, it never loses its fun aspect.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” says Madeleine. “And every single person in this cast and crew has the same interest – we all want to put on an amazing show. It’s so rare to find – where everybody involved in something is so into it, so dedicated. It’s a fun community that we’re able to have and create.”
“It’s an opportunity to connect with people you wouldn’t normally connect with – from other grades,” says Lily. “Everyone is so welcoming and nice and we’ve made new friends.”
“And it is insane how organized Mr. Hoffa is,” says Vivian. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“I hope audiences genuinely enjoy themselves and enjoy this production that everyone has been working so hard on,” says Madeleine. “It’s such a beautiful, emotional piece that is kind of unexpected for a high school to do. It’s very real human stories that hopefully people will connect with and just enjoy the show that we put on.”
And they all want me to remind you to bring tissues – apparently there will be tears.
This is Hoffa’s eighth year heading up the drama department at SPHS and during his tenure, the program has grown into a thriving, sought-after place to be, producing must-see shows. I ask what keeps him going year after year. “It’s a privilege to witness and participate in these transformational moments for students who are figuring out who they are. Every year that process is renewed and new – it is just incredibly gratifying and always interesting.”
Content note: while Bright Star has no language or violence and is frequently upbeat, there are mature themes and a tragic occurrence and its consequences are depicted. There are also references to alcohol.
Bright Star (directed by Nick Hoffa, with musical direction by Wylder Reinman, choreography by Courtney Cheyne, and technical direction by James Jontz,) Fri Apr 19 and Sat Apr 20 at 7pm, with a matinee performance Sun Apr 21 at 2PM.
Anderson Auditorium, South Pasadena High School, 1401 Fremont Ave., South Pasadena, Calif. General admission is $20, $10 for children. Advanced tickets may be purchased online. Go to www.southpasdrama.com for tickets and information.
