A Bright Idea
I was tempted to post this without saying who wrote the show and let you try to figure it -- or at least be bowled over by it, since the chances of guessing would be small. But then I figured you'd be bowled over knowing in advance and be able to appreciate it while listing.
The show is the recent Broadway muscial, Bright Star. The score had lyrics by Edie Brickell (the former lead singer of The New Bohemians), and she collaborated on the music with Steve Martin, who wrote the show's books. Yes, that Steve Martin.
It's a very enjoyable score, mostly bluegrass, and this particular song is especially gorgeous, an anthem of survival that's the show's final number. It's performed beautifully by Carmen Cusack. (To be clear, although Steve Martin wrote the music for the show, this number has music and lyrics by Edie Brickell. But don't worry, keep listening and reading, because I have another one below that the two did collaborate on.
Bright Star got generally solid, though mixed reviews. It also received five Tony nominations, including Best Musical and a Best Actress nod for Ms. Cusack. It ran for 109 performances.
But this is one fine song.
Because the show was uncommon for Broadway, a more-bluegrass and atmospheric musical than most, I thought it would nice to include a couple of bonus videos.
This first is from the show's presentation at this past year's Tony Awards. It features Carmen Cusack and has a personable and very funny introduction by Steve Martin (with Edie Brickell at the piano).
And then, just for fun, here's the curtain call at the show's final performance a few months ago on June 26. That's Carmen Cusack in a yellow dress who gets the final bows for the cast. And then you'll see director Walter Bobbie (in a beard and dressed in dark gray) come on stage, along with Edie Brickell and Steve Martin. Not all that much happens here, though it's nice to see the enthusiasm and appreciate -- and then around the 3:10 mark the spirit takes over Steve Martin a bit.
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