Emily Saliers, best known as one half of the iconic Indigo Girls, is stepping into a new creative arena: musical theater. The celebrated singer-songwriter has penned the music and lyrics for “Starstruck,” a new musical currently in preview at the Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, Pennsylvania, with an official opening night slated for .
The project marks a significant departure for Saliers, though she describes it as a natural progression of her songwriting. “It’s definitely a long way from what people might expect of my usual songwriting, but I think in many ways it’s really a natural progression of it,” she said, according to reporting from ArtsATL. “It has elements of everything I’ve done — presented in a whole new way.”
“Starstruck” is a modern reimagining of Cyrano de Bergerac, set against the backdrop of Sawtooth, Idaho, and the effort to establish the first International Dark Sky Reserve in the United States. The story centers on Cyd DeBerg, whose campaign attracts national attention – and the ire of a local rival, JD – as well as the interest of NPR journalist Roxanne Cooley, sparking an unexpected love triangle. The book for the musical is co-written by Beth Malone and Mary Ann Stratton.
The production boasts a collaborative team that extends beyond the creative core. Comedian-actor Tig Notaro, writer-producer-philanthropist Glennon Doyle, and Olympic gold medal soccer player Abby Wambach are serving as executive producers, lending their support to the project. Saliers described the involvement of these high-profile figures as a “labor of love” for everyone involved.
For Saliers, the process of composing for the stage has been both challenging and invigorating. “I’m learning so much for my songwriting toolbox for whatever comes next,” she shared. The collaborative nature of musical theater, so different from her work with Amy Ray as the Indigo Girls, has been a key element of this experience. “It’s a true collaborative effort in a whole new arena for me. So it’s just exciting on a new level.”
The production is being directed and choreographed by Lorin Latarro, the Bucks County Playhouse’s artistic associate, and produced by the Playhouse in association with Josh Fiedler and Kevin Ryan. Latarro, known for her work on Broadway, including “The Who’s Tommy,” “The Heart of Rock and Roll,” and “Once Upon a Mattress,” brings a wealth of experience to the project.
The creative team clearly believes in the potential of “Starstruck.” Playhouse executive producer Robyn Goodman stated, “As we look for the right show to launch at the playhouse, what first pops out to me are those that depict something new. From Beth and Mary Ann’s original twist on a familiar story set against the concept of the dark sky reserve, to Emily’s extraordinary songs and Lorin’s passion for the project, we’re honored to work with this team on the world premiere of ‘Starstruck.’”
Mary Ann Stratton echoed this sentiment, stating, “The minute (Emily Saliers) said yes, I knew we really had something.” She described the process of working with Saliers as incredibly rewarding, noting the energy and dedication she brought to the project. “It’s been totally energized by the process of writing music and lyrics and then changing them as the script has gone through revisions.”
Saliers herself expressed a sense of renewal and inspiration. “I’m totally energized,” she said. “It’s been a totally energized process, and I’m learning so much.” She also noted the unique challenges and rewards of writing for the stage, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and collaboration. “You’re constantly revising, constantly making changes, constantly trying to make it better.”
“Starstruck” runs at the 425-capacity Bucks County Playhouse through . The production represents a bold new chapter for Emily Saliers, showcasing her versatility as a songwriter and her willingness to embrace new artistic challenges. As she puts it, “It’s exciting on a new level.”
