On March 28th, the YLHS Theatre Department opened their spring musical Bright Star! Audiences were captivated by the musical’s heartwarming story and killer vocals. The live band perfectly played the bluegrass tunes while YLHS students danced and sang along. “I really enjoyed watching Bright Star! I knew nothing about the musical beforehand, but I thought YLHS did such an amazing job with the musical and I was completely taken aback by how good it was!” says Faith Alam (12), “The cast was extremely talented, and the leads did such a great job conveying the beautiful story to the audience.” Kaitlyn Lee (12) goes on to say, “This year’s production of Bright Star was absolutely amazing. From start to finish, the show kept me completely engaged, and I couldn’t take my eyes off the stage. The singing was phenomenal, with so much emotion and talent in every song. The harmonies were beautiful, and the live music made everything even better. The dancing was just as impressive, adding so much energy and emotion to the performance. The cast brought their characters to life in such a real and powerful way. The story had heartwarming and emotional moments, and the actors made you feel every bit of it. You could tell how much effort and passion went into this production. Overall, Bright Star was an unforgettable experience, and I would 100% recommend seeing it.”
For seniors, this will be their last time performing on the YLHS Forum stage. Bright Star, in itself, represents the longing for purpose and to always follow your dreams. With the months that pass, the reality of it coming to an end is inevitable. However it’s important to look back at the rehearsal process and appreciate it for what it was! “The rehearsal process was a mix of ups and downs,” Andrew Gardner (11), who plays the main love interest Jimmy Ray, explains. “The material was emotionally intense, which made it both challenging and rewarding. While it has its tough moments, it was also fun, pushing me to grow and learn. In the end, all the hard work paid off tremendously, making it all worthwhile.” Andrew’s character sings a beautifully written song in Act 2 that makes the audience unable to look away. “I relate to my character, Jimmy Ray, because his determination reflects my own drive to overcome challenges and stay focused on my goals. I also related to his compassion for others, seeing how he balances his emotions with empathy and passion in my own life.”
Of course, the musical does add a bit of wit and comedy to the overall performance, courtesy of Steve Martin who was the playwright. Carter Gaiss (11) plays Daryl Ames whose character definitely brings smiles to peoples faces. “I relate to my character because he’s sarcastic and I’m sarcastic,” he jokes. Then Leilah Huttner (12) plays the unforgettable role of Alice Murphy whose story we follow throughout the musical. “The opening number is my favorite number in the show. Cleverly titled ‘If You Knew My Story’ loosely foreshadows the magic of the show and how everything is connected.” The Bright Star cast takes their final bow April 5th at 7pm in the YLHS Forum. Tickets can be purchased online through ylhstheatre.org or at the door before show time.
