Steve Martin, Edie Brickell perform at Broadway opening
Broadway fans were treated to a surprise performance by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell at the end of their new musical, “Bright Star.”
The cast had taken their bows to a standing ovation when part of the set was rotated to reveal Martin and Brickell to thunderous applause at the show’s opening Thursday night at the Cort Theatre. After they took their bows, director Walter Bobbie walked onstage and handed Martin a banjo. After Martin strapped it on, he launched into “Sun’s Gonna Shine,” with Brickell and the show’s star, Carmen Cusack, trading verses as the audience clapped along.
Martin and Brickell have recorded two albums together, including the Grammy-winning “Love Has Come for You,” but “Bright Star” is their first musical. The idea was sparked by the common love they share for musical theater. Martin joked about their tastes at the show’s after-party.
“For Edie, it was ‘The Sound of Music,’ and for me it was ‘Music Man’ and ‘West Side Story.’ I have better taste,” he said.
Martin talked about how musical theater influenced him and why he wanted to write “Bright Star” with Brickell.
“When you think of ‘Carousel’ – with songs like ‘My Boy Bill,’ or ‘Soliloquy’ as it’s called – or ‘Oklahoma,’ I grew up on those songs, and I thought everything was here,” Martin said raising his hand above his head. “And the rest of the music world was down here. They were so emotive and expressive, and we had a longing to give it a shot.”
Carey cancels Brussels show
Singer Mariah Carey is canceling a concert in Brussels over security concerns in the wake of Tuesday’s terrorist attacks. A website selling tickets to Carey’s European tour stated the Sunday show in Brussels has been canceled.
The message said Carey had been advised to cancel the show to protect the safety of her crew and fans. Carey is scheduled to perform Saturday night in Luxembourg.
The birthday bunch
Actor Alan Arkin is 82. Actor James Caan is 76. Singer Diana Ross is 72. Rock singer Steven Tyler (Aerosmith) is 68. Singer and TV personality Vicki Lawrence is 67. Comedian Martin Short is 66. Basketball Hall of Famer John Stockton is 54. Actor Michael Imperioli is 50. Country singer Kenny Chesney is 48. Actress Keira Knightley is 31.