Bright Star

Act One

In 1945, Alice Murphy invites the audience into her world, knowing that it is unbelievable, but declaring that it is true (“If You Knew My Story”).

The scene shifts to Billy Cane’s home near Hayes Creek. He has just returned from fighting in World War II, and happily greets his father and childhood friend Margo. Billy has been sending her stories from overseas, and she has been editing them for publication to support Billy’s dreams of being a writer. The young man calls for his mother; Margo abruptly leaves, and his father admits that he had no idea how to send his son a letter with the tragic news: His mother died (“She’s Gone”). They walk to her grave, and Billy lays a flower. He thanks her: “You are my Mama, and I place my hand here … to touch you now and forever.”

Some time has gone by. Billy enters Margo’s bookshop, and asks what she thought of his stories. Margo was so impressed that she took the time to retype them all on heavy bond paper. Newly confident, Billy