The Stars arrive in Newburgh

On Friday, October 19th THE RAILROAD PLAYHOUSE (RRP) in Newburgh, the areas only equity theater of its type, will be World Premiering RRP Playwright-in-Residence, Alex Goldberg’s AMERICA’S BRIGHTEST STAR, directed by RRP Artistic Director, Seth Soloway. AMERICA’S BRIGHTEST STAR will play a limited engagement at the Railroad Playhouse (27 South Water Street, Newburgh, NY). Performances begin Friday, October 19 and continue through Saturday, November 3.

Can a reality show save a dying town?  

In AMERICA’S BRIGHTEST STAR, the small town of South Farmingham is turned upside down when Sherry, a middle-aged, introverted librarian, uploads a video of herself singing onto the website of the hit TV reality show “America’s Brightest Star.”  Her video unexpectedly receives millions of views, which prompts an invitation to perform on the show.  Awkwardly shy, she resists, but is prodded along by her celebrity-craving assistant Amber, the ambitious mayor Dolores Danton, and Cecil Ravinsdale, the cock-sure host of “America's Brightest Star.”

Addressing issues of humanity's differing relationships with fame, fortune and social media, this dark comedy tackles fleeting fame, dying towns, and raw talent. 

The production stars Megan Tusing (Wolves [Firework/59E59]; TV: “Law and Order”) as Amber, Charleigh E. Parker* (Cinderella [Asian Tour]; TV: “Boardwalk Empire”) as Sherry, Jeffrey C. Wolf* (Regional: Cabaret [Kevin Kline nomination-Ernst, Stages St. Louis]; TV/Film: “Boardwalk Empire”) as Cecil Ravinsdale, Catia Ojeda* (101 Dalmatians [Nat’l Tour]; TV: “30 Rock”) as Mayor Danton, Kevin Loreque* (CATS [Bdwy Nat’l Tour]; Film: “The Birdcage”) as Dale, Kathryn Kates* (The Bakery Lady in “Seinfeld”) as Merla, and Edward Crawford (RRP: Lying Naked; PBS: “Promised Land”) as Gary/Dave/Network Executive.  *Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

The production features scenic design by Bill Bywater (20 years with Just Off Broadway, Inc), costume design by Bobby Pearce (Taboo, nominated for both the Tony Award and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Costume Design), lighting design by Emily Bean (RRP Inaugural One Act Play Festival), projection design by Grant McDonald (Sleep No More), casting is by Scott Wojcik wojcik/seay casting, and the production stage manager is Heather Arnson*.

AMERICA’S BRIGHTEST STAR plays Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.; Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

The general admission tickets are $25, $20 Students/Seniors; and are now available online at www.rrplayhouse.org or by calling 845-565-3791. Tickets may also be purchased in-person at the theater one hour prior to performance.