Show Synopsis
Bright
Star is the story of one woman at two different points in her life: the first, when she is a wild young thing growing up barefoot and carefree in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina; the second, when she is a well-to-do magazine editor in Asheville, 22 years later. Her story is inevitably woven with that of an idealistic young man named Billy, with whom she shares a mysterious connection.
Character Breakdown
ALICE MURPHY: (LEAD;30-40;Female; Mezzo-Soprano) is the wild young girl growing up in the remote Blue Ridge Mountains, and also, 20 years later, the successful woman running The Asheville Southern Journal with a firm hand and a dry wit. Must be able to move well.
BILLY CANE: (LEAD;20-35;Male; Tenor) fresh from WWII, returns home a hero and ready to make his mark on the
world. He is old friends with Margo, whom he does not realize carries romantic feelings for him. Must be able to move well.
JIMMY RAY DOBBS: (LEAD;20-35;Male;Tenor) Flirtatious and handsome, Jimmy Ray is the local heartthrob of Zebulon. He and Alice have a passionate love affair that ends in tragedy when their baby son is supposedly given up for adoption. Must be able to move well.
MAYOR DOBBS: (SUPPORTING;50-65;Male;Baritone) Mayor Josiah Dobbs is essentially the antagonist of this story. From the beginning, he disapproves of Alice Murphy and her wild ways, and (rightly) assumes that she is angling for his son–for whom he has big plans. Non Dancing Role.
MARGO: (SUPPORTING; 20-35; Female; Soprano) Margo is the childhood friend of Billy Cane. When he
returns from the war, she is overjoyed to see him but her hopes of a romantic reunion are quickly dashed when she learns of his plans to move to Asheville. Must be able to move well.
MAMA MURPHY: (FEATURED;50-65; Female;Mezzo-Soprano) Mama Murphy is Alice’s mother. When Alice returns home late from a date with Jimmy Ray Dobbs, she and her husband fear for Alice’s future. Non Dancing Role.
DADDY MURPHY: (FEATURED; 50-65;Male; Baritone) Daddy Murphy is Alice’s father. When Alice returns home late from a date with Jimmy Ray Dobbs, he and his wife fear for Alice’s future. Non Dancing Role.
DADDY CANE: (FEATURED; 55-70; Male; Tenor) Daddy Cane is Billy’s father, In his first scene, he sorrowfully informs Billy that his mother passed away
while he was at war. Daddy Cane is a gentle, sweet man, who loves Billy very much. Non Dancing Role. Doubles as Dr. Norquist.
LUCY GRANT: (FEATURED; 20-35; Female; Soprano) Lucy Grant works for Alice in 1945 Asheville at The Asheville Southern Journal. She and Darryl are close friends. Together, they are very loyal to Alice and extremely proud to be working for her. Must be able to move well.
DARRYL AMES: (FEATURED; 30-45; Male; Tenor-Baritone) Darryl Ames works for Alice in 1945 Asheville at The Asheville Southern Journal. He and Lucy are close friends. Together, they are very loyal to Alice and extremely proud to be working for her. Must be able to move well.
ENSEMBLE:(18-50 Male & Female Must be able to move and sing well)
What To Prepare
1. Prepare a 1 minute monologue
2. Prepare 16 bars of a song
3. Bring your own sheet music; an accompanist will be provided or you may bring a cd or mp3 with your accompaniment on it.
Additional Info
For full character and show synopsis visit our website www.stageleftaz.com/auditions
