My Broadway Experience in Bright Star
Make it Sparkle Video with A.J. Shively
Broadway Performer
4:54 (runtime)
Director’s Notes
A.J. Shively expresses great pride in the Broadway show "Bright Star," even though it didn't attract as large an audience as the team had hoped. He reflects that it still resonates strongly in high school productions.
A.J. describes the production process of "Bright Star" as an amazing collaborative experience with no ego involved. The creative team, including Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, were all open to sharing and implementing ideas from each other, contributing to a highly positive rehearsal environment.
He highlights the unique writing process of Steve Martin and Edie Brickell. Steve would experiment with melodies on his banjo, and then Edie would spontaneously create lyrics to match, leading to a natural and organic creation of the songs.
A.J. shares a memorable moment from the rehearsal process in New York. The team was told they secured a Broadway house for their performance, resulting in a heightened enthusiasm among the cast and crew.
He discusses the evolution of a crucial plot point in "Bright Star" - the revelation of Billy's parentage. This part of the story underwent several changes, from a solo song for Billy to a duet between two characters, and finally to a monologue, showcasing the fluidity and adaptability of the creative process.
A.J. recounts an impressive moment when Edie Brickell composed "At Long Last," the standout song of the show, in just ten minutes. This composition, according to Shively, perfectly encapsulated the themes of hope and love that permeate the show.
More About A.J.
A.J. has been nominated for Tony and Outer Critics Circle Awards for his performance as Owen Duignan in the new musical Paradise Square, currently running on Broadway at the Barrymore Theater. He was recently seen as Jerry McConnell on CBS’s Bull and as Chef André Soltner in HBO Max’s Julia.
Credits
Broadway: Bright Star (Drama Desk Nomination); La Cage aux Folles. National Tour: Bright Star; The Sound of Music. Off Broadway/New York: February House (The Public); Brigadoon (Irish Rep); The Suitcase Under the Bed (Mint); Unlock’d (Prospect); A Contemporary American’s Guide to a Successful Marriage (Cherry Lane); Things To Ruin (Second Stage); Little Airplanes of the Heart(Ensemble Studio Theatre); ReWrite (Urban Stages); NYMF; Fringe NYC. Regional: Berkeley Rep.; Kennedy Center; Old Globe; CTG; McCarter; Pioneer; CenterStage; TUTS; George Street Playhouse; Long Wharf; TheatreWorks - Silicon Valley. TV/Film: “Hunters”; “Homeland”; “Madam Secretary”; “The Blacklist”; “Younger”; “The Daily Show”; Nobody Walks In LA; From Nowhere; Syrup; HairBrained. Training: University of Michigan; RADA.