2016 OUTER CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD WINNING & 2016 TONY AWARD® NOMINATED BEST MUSICAL
“A gorgeous anthem to optimism!” – Variety
Bright Star is the creation of Grammy®, Emmy®, and Academy Award® winner Steve Martin and Grammy Award® winner Edie Brickell, who collaborated as composer and lyricist to craft a musical that finds joy in heartbreak and hope in the unlikeliest of places. Inspired by a true story, Bright Star has been praised for its soaring bluegrass score and its clear-eyed look at resilience in the American South.
Bright Star transports audiences to North Carolina across two eras: the 1920s, when the optimism of young love collides with the weight of small-town convention, and the 1940s, when the country is reshaped by the aftermath of war. At its center is Alice Murphy, who, as a teenager, endures a romance that challenges her community’s expectations and a tragedy that changes the course of her life. Years later, she has become a respected literary editor in Asheville, where her carefully constructed world is unsettled by the arrival of Billy Cane, a soldier home from World War II with dreams of writing. Their chance meeting forces Alice to reckon with long-buried secrets and face the choices that have defined her.
With live onstage musicians and songs such as “If You Knew My Story” and “Asheville,” Bright Star moves with the rhythms of Appalachia, drawing audiences into a world of longing, loss, and renewal. Both a sweeping period drama and an intimate portrait of one woman’s search for redemption, the story of Bright Star is a testament to the enduring power of love, family, and the possibility of second chances.
Run Time: 2hr 20min (including intermission)
Group discounts available! Call 770-293-0080.
Tue – Thur, 12 pm – 4 pm
Fridays 12pm – 6pm
Two hours before showtime
It is The Strand’s mission to enrich and engage our regional community through diverse entertainment and memorable experiences for all.
The historic Strand Theatre lights up the downtown Marietta square with live theatre, films, concerts, comedy, private events, and more. The Strand is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
© 2026 Friends of the Strand, Inc. All rights reserved
EIN 20-0210688
It is The Strand’s mission to enrich and engage our regional community through diverse entertainment and memorable experiences for all.
The historic Strand Theatre lights up the downtown Marietta square with live theatre, films, concerts, comedy, private events, and more. The Strand is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Box Office Hours:
Tue – Thur, 12 pm – 4 pm
Fridays 12pm – 6pm
Two hours before showtime
© 2026 Friends of the Strand, Inc. All rights reserved
EIN 20-0210688
