When the downhome nation musical “Brilliant Star” made its debut on Broadway in 2016, it obtained blended evaluations from New York critics although it was written and composed by Steve Martin and singer-songwriter Edie Brickell.
Woodside Musical Theatre’s manufacturing, which runs by Oct. 23 on the Woodside Performing Arts Heart, will get a blended evaluate as effectively, regardless of some top-notch performing and singing performances. Katherine Bonn is excellently forged because the lead (Alice Murphy), and her attractive, lilting singing voice is first-rate. As Jimmy Ray Dobbs, Alice’s beau, Jack Bloome might make any younger lady’s coronary heart flutter, and his vocals are sturdy as effectively. In reality, nearly the entire 30-plus forged members are triple-threat performers.
The ten-member orchestra, led by conductor Brett Strader, additionally does a fantastic job with the 18 songs in “Star.” And it’s fairly a sight to look at the very hardworking stage crew transfer the distinctive bandstand throughout the stage after which affix it to a set piece—which they do dozens of occasions all through the present.
However the musical itself is uneven and never all the time simple to observe, and typically the storyline drags.
Although creative director Gary Stanford Jr. does an outstanding job of directing this wide-ranging manufacturing, he could have unfold himself too skinny by taking over the position of choreographer as effectively. Sadly, a number of of the ensemble dance numbers appear blah and simply forgettable. Watching traces of women doing a sashay right here and a do-si-do there's lower than enthralling.
Along with the leads, a number of different actors deserve point out for his or her fantastic performances, particularly Jason Mooney because the younger author Billy Cane and Rebecca Mayfield as Florence. As Lucy, Allie Cortugno has a powerful stage presence and fantastic singing voice, as do Adrienne Herro as Mama Murphy and Mark Wong as Jimmy.
The one casting misstep is D’Artagnan Rivera as Mayor Josiah Dobbs, who simply doesn’t gel within the position. However kudos to ensemble member Joey Montes, who stepped into the position of Daddy Murphy when one other actor had a medical emergency.
Technical director Don Coluzzi did double responsibility as set and lighting designer—an enormous endeavor. Many units flew down from above or in from the perimeters, solely to be whisked away in time for the subsequent scene.
All instructed, “Brilliant Star” is value seeing for its fantastic voices, knee-stompin’ nation music and boundless power. Its run ends Sunday, Oct. 23. Tickets are $25-$55 at www.woodsidetheatre.com or 650-206-8530.