23 Aug OLATHE CIVIC THEATRE ASSOCIATION OPENS WITH BRIGHT STAR
OLATHE CIVIC THEATRE ASSOCIATION OPENS WITH BRIGHT STAR
KC Musical Premiere to Play August 30th– September 15th
Olathe, KS (August 21, 2019) – OCTA begins their 2019-2020 with the musical Bright Star, directed by Julie Ewing with musical direction by Ashley Jones. Featuring a Grammy-nominated score by Steve Martin an Edie Brickell, Bright Star runs August 30th through September 15th, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm, Sundays at 2:00pm.
Director, Julie Ewing, has assembled an all-star team for her cast, creative team, and special bluegrass Iron Mountain Pickers Band. The story follows Alice Murphy in the Blue Ridge Mountains during the 1920s and 1940s. Audiences will remember Ashton Botts, who plays Alice Murphy, from OCTA’s The Drowsy Chaperone. When Alice Murphy, the brilliant editor of a southern literary journal, meets Billy Cane, a soldier just home from World War II, they discover a powerful secret that alters their lives. Follow the uplifting journey that is as refreshingly genuine as it is daringly hopeful.
Ewing recounts her first experience with the show and why she wants to share it with OCTA audiences: “I was able to see Bright Star during its Broadway run. I am a huge bluegrass fan and so that is what initially drew me to see the show. As a mother, it struck such a chord. I wanted to stage it like an oral story being told over and over to family and friends out playing music on the back porch on a Sunday evening.” She emphasizes how the music and message stayed with her.
Looking at the history of the show, audiences might remember Steve Martin and Edie Brickell’s collaboration in 2013 with the bluegrass album Love Has Come For You. One of the songs was inspired by the true-life story of the Iron Mountain Baby, which stuck with them both, so Bright Star came to be.
One of the biggest challenges of the show is the staging. Ewing has put a lot of thought into how the ensemble fits into the action that takes place over three decades in many locations. “The ensemble acts like a Greek Chorus. In order for that to happen they have to remain on stage most of the time. …It is a fun puzzle to find ways to enhance and not distract the audience. We also jump back and forth in time.” The ensemble also plays a character within the show, so the cast works with costume pieces and easy set changes to help the audience follow the various story lines.
To her knowledge, this is the first time the show has been produced outside of academia in the greater KC area. Audiences can expect the hear festive bluegrass tunes and experience “all the feels!” Ewing says, “I can honestly say this is the first show I’ve directed where the first read through ended with tears and hugs. It is a powerful story, told by some of Kansas City’s finest actors and I believe our audience will be thinking on this one long past the finale curtain.” Also, the musicians are an exciting, imperative part of staging and will be performing live for the pre-show every night!
Catch BRIGHT STAR, featuring the following local talent:
Alice Murphy – Ashton Botts (pictured) 
Billy Cane – Nathan Bills
Daddy Cane – Matt Walberg
Margo – Willa Walberg
Max – Christopher Morgan
Florence – Sharon Johnson
Edna – Cassandra Pettigrew
Darryl – Tyler Hileman
Lucy – Patty Whitlock
Mama Murphy – Peggy Mall
Daddy Murphy – Charles Christesson Jr.
Mayor Dobbs – Reed Uthe
Jimmy Ray Dobbs – Austin Stang
Stanford – Jonathan Arnold
Dr. Norquist – Andrew Ramaley
Government Clerk – Valerie Knott
Well-Dressed Woman – Kelli Mattison
BAND
Guitar – Colvin Hooser
Banjo – Jay Kassen
Mandolin – Mike Stewart
Mandolin Sub 9/7 – David Ludwick
Fiddle – Ahafia Jurkiewicz-Miles
Piano – Jonnie Brice
Cello – Kieran Ojakangas
Bass – Andrew Ramaley
Drums – John Gilmore
CREATIVE TEAM: Director – Julie Ewing (director), Ashley Jones (music director), Carolyn Braverman (choreographer), Matt Pollock (stage manager), Jade Almsberger (asst. stage manager/asst. costumer), Philip Leonard (lighting designer), Joshua Finch (sound designer), Ken Schmidt (set designer), Alisha Morris (set construction/props designer), Heather Stewart (costume designer), Brittany Becker (sound board operator); Ella Amos, Nora Bishop, Brandon Heflin, Emily Heflin, Kayli Kimerer, Sheridan Sears, and Nicholas Sibert (set builders).
Special Dates:
Opening Night, August 30th: Guests are treated to a post-show celebration with the cast, musicians, and crew!
THE 2019-2020 LINEUP:
BRIGHT STAR
Inspired By A True Story
Music, Book and Story by Steve Martin | Music, Lyrics, and Story by Edie Brickell
Directed by Julie Ewing | Music Directed by Ashley Jones
August 30 – September 15, 2019
Inspired by a real event and featuring the Grammy-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 Blue Ridge Mountains in the 1920s and ’40s. When Alice Murphy, the brilliant editor of a southern literary journal, meets Billy Cane, a soldier just home from World War II, they discover a powerful secret that alters their lives. An uplifting theatrical journey that holds you tight in its grasp, Bright Star is as refreshingly genuine as it is daringly hopeful.
THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE
Inspiration for the hit Netflix Original Series!
Adapted for the stage by F. Andrew Leslie from the novel by Shirley Jackson
Directed by Derrick Freeman
October 25 – November 10, 2019
Four “psychically receptive” visitors arrive at the notoriously unfriendly Hill House in order to explore and draw forth the mysterious powers it is alleged to possess. Their stay seems destined to be merely a spooky encounter with inexplicable phenomena, but Hill House is gathering its powers—and soon it will choose one of them to make its own. Get ready to scream out loud at this classic psychological horror story that has both wit and thrills.
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
By William Shakespeare | Directed by David Martin
February 14 – March 1, 2020
Double-meanings, disguises, and dirty laundry abound as Sir John Falstaff sets about improving his financial situation by wooing Mistress Page and Mistress Ford. But the ‘Merry Wives’ quickly catch on to his tricks and decide to have a bit of fun of their own at Falstaff’s expense. A rollicking farce by the great Bard himself!
THE GOD COMMITTEE
By Mark St. Germain | Directed by Nino Casisi
April 3 – 19, 2020
Medicine, money, and morality clash when the heart transplant selection committee of St. Patrick’s Hospital has only minutes to decide which of four patients will receive a heart that has suddenly become available. A cross between Twelve Angry Men and ER, The God Committee takes us into the inner workings of a transplant program and a decision, for both their candidates and their program, which is a matter of life and death.
BIG FISH
Book by John August | Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa
Based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the Columbia Motion Picture written by John August
Directed by Jessica Franz | Music Directed by Baker Purdon
May 29 – June 14, 2020
Based on the celebrated novel by Daniel Wallace and the acclaimed film directed by Tim Burton, Big Fish tells the story of Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman who lives life to its fullest… and then some! Edward’s incredible, larger-than-life stories thrill everyone around him – most of all, his devoted wife Sandra. But their son Will, about to become a father himself, is determined to find the truth behind his father’s epic tales. …an extraordinary musical that reminds us why we love going to the theatre.
About Olathe Civic Theatre Association
Olathe Civic Theatre Association (OCTA) is an all-volunteer 501c3 organization producing theatre in Olathe since 1974. Performing in the Buddy Rogers Family Playhouse, OCTA produces five high-quality, engaging, and thought-provoking theatre productions a year. Through the generosity of volunteers, season ticket holders, donors, city, and community, in addition to a dedicated Board of Directors, OCTA has grown into one of the most progressive community theaters in the Kansas City metropolitan area. For more information, please visit www.olathetheatre.org. OCTA is a proud member of the Olathe Chamber of Commerce, Nonprofit Connect, and Olathe Arts Alliance.
Social and Digital Media
Receive daily updates by ‘liking’ OCTA’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/olathecivictheatreand follow OCTA on Twitter at @OCTATheatre.
SPECIAL EVENTS
OCTA IS HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
In loving memory of The Jan Conner Christmas Show
Written by Shelly Stewart Banks and Peter Leondedis
Directed by Shelly Stewart Banks
December 6, 7, 13, 14, 2020
Peter Leondedis and Shelly Stewart Banks are back with an ever-changing cast of talented local performers as they come together to wait for the Spirit of Christmas to arrive and bring a little holiday magic to OCTA! Each night will include something new and different and you won’t want to miss a thing. A fun, musical variety show for the whole family!
NEW WORKS PLAYWRIGHT COMPETITION (NWPC)
March 6 & 7, 2020
Which of the five finalists of OCTA’s fourth annual New Works Playwright Competition will get a full-length workshop for their script? You’ll see short teasers of each script, then vote for the winner. Make your voice count and support the local playwriting community at the same time!
NWPC WINNER WORKSHOP
Summer 2020
Join us for the full-length stage reading of the 2020 New Works Playwright Competition winner. The NWPC Winner Workshop provides a unique opportunity for the winning playwright to workshop their production on the OCTA stage and get feedback from a live audience.
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