At least he'll always be The Jerk! Steve Martin's Bluegrass musical Bright Star debuts to middling reviews on Broadway

By Dailymail.com Reporter

Published: 02:29 EST, 25 March 2016 | Updated: 03:18 EST, 25 March 2016

He made a name for himself with his highly popular standup act in the 1970s and went on to become a legend of slapstick comedy in films such as The Jerk.

But over the last couple decades Steve Martin has been carving another career path as both a novelist and Bluegrass musician.

While always known for playing the banjo, the 70-year-old star has debuted a new Broadway musical for which he wrote the music, book and story, titled Bright Star.

Bluegrass musical: Steve Martin debuted a new Broadway musical for which he wrote the music, book and story, titled Bright Star on Thursday 

Bluegrass musical: Steve Martin debuted a new Broadway musical for which he wrote the music, book and story, titled Bright Star on Thursday 

The play opened on Thursday evening, which saw the silver haired comedy legend perform on his banjo to the delight of the crowd. 

The story tells a tale of doomed lovers in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina set directly after the first world war.

Edie Brickell helped co-write the music and story while providing the lyrics, which reviewers have claimed drag down the simple narrative spun by Martin.

The play opened on Thursday evening, which saw the silver haired comedy legend perform on his banjo to the delight of the crowd (actress Carmen Cusack pictured onstage)

The play opened on Thursday evening, which saw the silver haired comedy legend perform on his banjo to the delight of the crowd (actress Carmen Cusack pictured onstage)

He won't give up his old ways: The 70-year-old looked to still be performing physical comedy 

He won't give up his old ways: The 70-year-old looked to still be performing physical comedy 

Bright Star is under the direction of Walter Bobbie and stars Carmen Cusack and Paul Alexander Nolan.

Variety said of the play: 'Martin is an accomplished banjo player and the sweetly melodic music he writes with Brickell sounds completely authentic.'

While USA Today gives the musical three out of four stars.

Actors Dee Hoty, Paul Alexander Nolan, Carmen Cusack, and A.J. Shively perform during Bright Star Opening Night

Actors Dee Hoty, Paul Alexander Nolan, Carmen Cusack, and A.J. Shively perform during Bright Star Opening Night

Toast to us! Edie Brickell helped co-write the music and story while providing the lyrics, which reviewers have claimed drag down the simple narrative spun by Martin

Toast to us! Edie Brickell helped co-write the music and story while providing the lyrics, which reviewers have claimed drag down the simple narrative spun by Martin

Shock jock: Howard Stern and Beth Ostrosky were there in attendance 

Shock jock: Howard Stern and Beth Ostrosky were there in attendance 

Best pal: Steve's BFF Martin Short was there in support

Best pal: Steve's BFF Martin Short was there in support

But the Associated Press' Mark Kennedy was less enthusiastic, writing: 'The show that opened Thursday at the Cort Theatre never hits an honest note and seems to have been written by two people who adore classic Broadway musicals but who have intentionally decided to make a third-rate version.'

'The music, with a few exceptions, is weak, with few of the songs fully fleshed out and some having been recycled from the pair's previous CDs. It takes five songs until the audience is finally roused with "Whoa, Mama."'

'Act One ends with an unspeakable act made worse by one of the lousiest special effects in Broadway history. (And while we're at it, can we scrap the pathetic toy train that makes three appearances, huffing and puffing?)' 

Comedic duo: Martin starred in comedy classic Dirty Rotten Scoundrels with Michael Caine

Comedic duo: Martin starred in comedy classic Dirty Rotten Scoundrels with Michael Caine

Classic: Martin made his mark in films in 1979's The Jerk

Classic: Martin made his mark in films in 1979's The Jerk

 

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