Bright Star • Sentinel Theatre Production • September 1, 2025 • Liahona Theater for the Community
Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe
Photos courtesy of Sentinel Theater
I have to admit, I had pretty high, unfair expectations walking into the Liahona Theater to see Sentinel Theatre’s production of the musical Bright Star. Just under five months ago, I reviewed Sentinel’s inaugural production, Dogfight. I walked away extremely impressed with the cast, the direction, and the overall production. So I thought, if they did that well with their first show, I can only imagine how much better their second show will be. And it’s a show I know and love. No pressure, right? It was unfair for me to put those expectations on this production. And yet, Sentinel Theatre did not disappoint. In fact, Bright Star exceeded any expectations I had. This is a must-see show.
Bright Star has had an interesting journey as far as musicals go. Created by Steve Martin (yes, that Steve Martin, the one and only), and Eddie Brickell (If you know her stuff, you know how good this musical is.). It received quite a bit of acclaim when it opened on Broadway. It was nominated for five Tony Awards, seven Drama Desk Awards, and a Grammy, among others. Unfortunately, it didn’t seem to find its place on the Great White Way and closed after only 109 performances. A national tour was announced, and that seemed to be where Bright Star found its footing. Once this show was available for regional and community theater licensing, this show started popping up everywhere. Especially, it seemed, in Utah.
It seems like when a show starts to gain popularity around here, everyone has to do it. Shows like Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Beauty and the Beast, Tarzan, and Shrek have been performed all over the state and don’t seem to be slowing down. Hey, people like what they like. Bright Star is quickly joining the ranks of these other shows. But just because theaters can perform these musicals doesn’t always mean that they should. I think that’s what stood out to me with this production.
Every note that was played or sung, every line that was given, each choreographed and blocked scene, and every lighting cue seemed to have a specific purpose. There wasn’t a breath that was taken on stage that wasn’t meant to be there. That’s what Bright Star needs, and that’s what the audience received. I cannot express how much I loved this production. Let’s get into it, shall we?
Before I delve into this amazing cast, I think it’s important to recognize just how remarkable this orchestra was. In theater, we call them an orchestra, but really, this was essentially a Bluegrass band. So often, a show with a live orchestra can distract or disappoint. It’s difficult in community theater to find a collection of musicians with the skillset to pull off an entire score. The moments where these musicians were featured were some of the most enjoyable. I commend Musical Director Chari Bennett on a job well done. I also want to acknowledge Jill Carter on Banjo, Adam Young on Guitar, Olivia Murphy on Violin/ Viola, and McKenna Newsom on Mandolin/ Fiddle. Now that I think about it, I should have just mentioned everyone in this entire orchestra. I just really enjoyed their work.
Bright Star simply will not work if you don’t have a good Alice Murphy. This production had a great Alice. Kailey Simmons gave a powerful performance in this leading role. The role of Alice Murphy is as demanding a role as you’ll have and Simmons was not only up to the task vocally but in her acting as well. The role calls for a wide range of emotions, spanning across years of the character’s life. At times this show can get really heavy, and Kailey Simmons has to balance the depth of this character and lead the audience through this emotional journey without becoming too melodramatic. Not an easy thing to do. But I thought Kailey was brilliant in her balance. She was a joy to watch in this role, and I wish the run of this production were longer because she’s worth seeing over and over again.
The counter to Alice Murphy is her love interest, Jimmy Ray Dobbs. Played wonderfully by Nathan Bowser. This role calls for something different than that of Alice. Throughout the majority of the show, Dobbs is an optimistic George Bailey from It’s A Wonderful Life type. Ready to take on the world without anything stopping him. But so many things throughout the show stop him from living his dreams. When we see Jimmy Ray Dobbs later in life, he’s not necessarily a broken man, but a man who seems to have been beaten up by life a bit. It was great to see Nathan Bowser transform throughout the musical. The once bright-eyed, optimistic face was now painted with sadness, and it was performed so well.
Do you ever hear a song, it can be from a musical, or just any song, where you hear it and then go to YouTube and try to listen to as many versions of it from as many different singers as possible? Just me? I love doing this. I have found myself doing this many times with the song “Asheville.” My favorite song in this entire show. So when I talk about expectations, I think Rayanne Laycock had the most on her. There is just something so special about anticipating a song in a show and being completely blown away by what you just witnessed.
I cannot express enough how much I loved Laycock’s performance during this song. Her voice was perfect for the song. I imagined her audition and the team for this show hearing her and knowing they had their Margo Crawford. Not only was Rayanne exceptional in this performance, but I thought the entire scene was incredible. The blocking, the choreography, the lighting, everything was just perfect.
This show has some very dark and heavy themes at times. So a little levity throughout the show was welcomed. This is also an area where community theater can be a little over the top when it comes to comedy. But again, this was not the case in this production. Lily Shepherd and Trevor Williams, as Lucy Grant and Daryl Ames, respectively, were so good in their comedic roles. They were over the top when it was necessary and subtle when the situation called for that. They drew huge laughs at times and gave the audience some much-needed lighter moments at just the right time.
I think the thing that impressed me the most was just how much depth there was in this cast. The ensemble was fantastic. Whether it’s in lead roles like Ethan Zabriskie as Billy Cane, where he provides the show with an optimistic look at life and an ambition and determination to make his dream come true. Or a smaller role like Tyle Hinton as Stanford, where he pops in here and there with a diabolical line, or a dark comedic moment. This show was stacked with talent from top to bottom.
I would look around during scenes, and I would marvel at the character decisions they were making. There was a time when I saw an actor crying in the shadows. It blew me away seeing the commitment to bring a fullness to the show. I remember being in ensembles and being told we were as important as the leads. I never believed that, and don’t know if I do now. But I know if an ensemble is good and committed, they’re the ones that make the show pop and get it to the level the director is no doubt wanting to take it. I was extremely impressed. I would easily listen to a cast recording of this production.
Bright Star is a great show. I’m so glad that it has renewed life at the community theater level. Sentinel Theatre has done it again with their production. Director Andrew Jefferies had a vision (see what I did there? Well, if you go to the show, you’ll know.) and he carried it out masterfully. I enjoy his directing style and the way he tells stories. I cannot recommend this production more.
* * * * *
Bright Star plays at the Liahona Theater for the Community September 4-6. Click here for tickets.