PLEASANT GROVE— Bright Star, with music, book, and story by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, is a heartfelt bluegrass musical that beautifully intertwines themes of love, loss, and redemption. Set in North Carolina during the 1920s and 1940s, it follows the life of Alice Murphy as she confronts her past and discovers the power of second chances. Known for its catchy bluegrass score and emotional, gut-wrenching story, it’s a show that leaves audiences both heartbroken and uplifted.

I’ve seen Bright Star nearly a dozen times, and while each production offers something new, Sentinel Theater’s staging truly had it all—phenomenal performances, outstanding music, beautiful design, and an emotional core that felt raw and real.

Kailey Simmons as Alice Murphy delivered a powerhouse performance with her gorgeous, commanding vocals and magnetic stage presence. The chemistry between Simmons and Nathan Bowser (Jimmy Ray Dobbs) was thick. Their flirtations in the early scenes crackled with so much tension it could be cut with a knife. Bowser’s vocal breath support and warm tone gave Jimmy Ray a captivating tenderness.

The image depicts a scene from a theatrical production of "Bright Star." Two actors are centrally positioned on stage under dramatic purple lighting. The female actor is kneeling, wearing a brown coat and looking up intently at the male actor. The male actor is crouching at her level, dressed in a light brown suit and patterned tie, with his face turned towards her. Both appear to be having an intense dialogue, their faces marked with subtle stage makeup. The background features a set resembling distant mountains, softly illuminated in green, with a string of small lights arcing above.

Rayanne Laycock’s Margo Crawford was a standout—her physical acting as the bashful love interest to Billy Cane, (played with charm and enthusiasm by Ethan Zabriskie), was delightful. Her rendition of “Asheville” was pure and lovely. Lily Shepherd’s Lucy Grant and Trevor Williams’ Daryl Ames brought sparkle and sass, along with well-placed comedy, while Caitlyn Galvez as Mama Murphy stunned with her rich vocals—I wanted more solos from her! Greg Rampton as Daddy Murphy gave a gut-wrenching, emotional performance, grounding Alice’s story with heartbreaking realism.

One of the most surprising standouts was Will Gardner as Mayor Dobbs. Too often this role’s vocals are spoken more than sung, but Gardner gave the mayor a hauntingly beautiful voice. His choices made it clear that his unforgivable actions stemmed from a misguided but unwavering love for his son. It was the best interpretation of the role I’ve ever seen. The staging and rhythmic choreography that supported the Mayor’s “train scene” left me speechless and sobbing.

The staging brought so much extra depth to the story. I loved how the ensemble “angels” didn’t just huddle around Alice, but interacted with her in ways that mirrored different moments in her life and emotions. The show also used some really powerful visual choices that made the experience unforgettable. After especially emotional scenes, the actors would freeze in place as the lights outlined their silhouettes, giving the audience a moment to fully take in the weight of what just happened before moving on. These pauses added an additional layer of gravitas to the scene. Other times the stage would go completely dark, leaving us sitting in the emotion right alongside the characters. These touches gave the production a cinematic feel and made Alice’s journey hit even harder.

The image depicts a scene from a theatre production of "Bright Star." The stage is dimly lit, with blue and purple spotlights creating a dramatic atmosphere. In the foreground, a woman in a white dress kneels at the center of the stage, looking contemplatively into the distance. In the background, four men stand on an elevated platform. Each is dressed in brown or beige period attire, enhancing the historical setting of the scene. Wooden slatted walls flank the stage on both sides, adding to the rustic ambiance.

The scenic design by Kristyan Williams brought the Appalachian setting to life with layered, multi-dimensional mountains, made even more striking by the perfect amount of lighting. The live nine-piece bluegrass band, directed by Chari Bennett, was extraordinary. Situated just to the left of the stage, they felt like part of the action—especially the bassist, whose joyful boogie while strumming added an infectious energy.

Every detail elevated the story. The crisp dialogue, sharp annunciation, and nuanced body language made familiar lines feel brand new, and deepened my understanding of the story. Even songs I usually find less memorable sparkled with fresh sass and sizzle. From start to finish, the entire production overflowed with raw emotion. I always cry at Bright Star, but this staging had me teary-eyed even in its happiest moments.

The image shows a group of ten people, arranged in two rows, posed on a stage set for a theater production. The background features a painted backdrop of dark blue and purple mountains against a vivid blue sky. The group is composed of eight men and women holding various string instruments, including a banjo, violin, double bass, guitar, and cello. They are dressed in casual, country-style clothing, with patterns like plaid and denim overalls. The person in the front row holds a drumstick alongside the banjo, and there are a variety of expressions, mostly smiling. The stage appears to be constructed from wooden platforms.

It’s hard to believe this is only Sentinel Theater’s second production. Under the direction of Andrew Jefferies, assistant direction by Ethan Jones, and music direction by Bennett, this team has proven themselves a creative force. With stage direction by Jane Smith and choreography by Stephanie Cole, this team pulled off a seamless, stunning opening night that already feels like a polished, professional run.

Be warned, however, this show will make you feel things! But don’t fret…the “sun’s gonna shine again,” and the end result is beautiful! This production is not only the best I’ve seen of this musical, but one of the most moving nights of theater I’ve experienced in a very long time. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Bring your family, bring your friends, and prepare to be swept away. Sentinel Theater has cemented itself as a company to watch, and I cannot wait to see what they do next.

Bright Star plays at the Liahona Theater in Pleasant Grove through September 6th on Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30 PM as well as a 2:00 matinee on Saturday. Tickets are $13.96-26.90 and can be purchased at https://www.sentineltheatre.org/tickets.