Bright Star the Musical at Castro Valley Center for the Arts 

Jul 30, 2023 | Announcements, Coming Event(s), Regional News

Bright Star the Musical at Castro Valley Center for the Arts 

I was recently made aware by bluegrass promoter and proponent Maria Nadauld about the upcoming production of the bluegrass musical Bright Star put on by the Castro Valley Arts Foundation at their Castro Valley Center for the Arts (CFA). 

Bright Star is described in their program as “Inspired by a true story of the “Iron Mountain Baby”, Bright Star is a musical written and composed by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell. The story takes place in two different periods of a young woman’s life, 1923 and 1946.”

Maria also informed me the show has a special meaning for certain of those sure to be in attendance. Miles Quale of the popular Alameda based band Crying Uncle is playing fiddle in the production and his cousin Arianna “Arri” is playing the role of Lucy in the cast. Of course family members are delighted but as it turns out this is the first time Arri and Miles’ grandmother Nagako “Niki” Quale will be able to see two of her grandchildren perform together in a single event.

I spoke with Niki’s son and Miles’ father Chris Quale who had this to say.

“In general, it is hard for me to wrestle with the fact that my sons and nieces are growing up. To have them converge on this project so serendipitously is such a great outcome of both of their childhoods that were so filled with music. Their late grandfather, an accomplished jazz pianist, would have loved to be here for this.”

Chris also graciously garnered this quote from his mom.

“It is a grandmother’s dream to have two grandchildren (Miles Quale and Arriana Glenn) from two families performing in the same show!”

Additionally, I had recently interviewed Miles for my California Report column on Bluegrass Today where he discussed the shows.

“Yes, I’ll be playing for the musical Bright Star (Sunday, August 27, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.) along with a bunch of amazing musicians and a wonderful cast including my cousin Arri. What’s crazy is that this will be our first time ever performing together in the 19 years we’ve known each other – My Grandma can’t wait to watch. There will be performances in Castro Valley throughout August and I really hope some of y’all will be able to come!”

Tickets for the shows range from $36-$40 and can be purchased at the CFA website for the following dates.

Sat Aug 19, 7:30 PM
Sun Aug 20, 2:00 PM
Sat Aug 26, 7:30 PM
Sun Aug 27, 2:00 PM

It’s sure to be a fabulous spectacle so don’t miss out on this popular bluegrass musical featuring some of the finest local talent around. Here is a highlight clip from the original production Broadway production in 2017

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