Mira Costa' 'Bright Star' Production Prepares to Dazzle
Apr 06, 2025 08:39PM ● By Jeanne Fratello
Mira Costa High School's Drama/Tech program is preparing to dazzle audiences with its spring production, "Bright Star," featuring the actual set and costumes from the original Broadway show.
Brickell, has been called "a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and '40s."
Mira Costa's production involves more than 60 students performing on stage, working behind the scenes, and playing in a live orchestra pit.
The show will feature the original Broadway set, props, and select costumes, elevating the production to an exceptional theatrical experience.
It will run between April 25 and May 3. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased here.
Original Broadway Experience
Being able to use the original Broadway set was a unique experience for Mira Costa. Each year when deciding upon which show to produce, the school's drama/tech director, Jonathan Westerberg, factors in where he can procure the set, if the license
is available, and how many students he has available to use in his show.
When Westerberg contacted
Musical Theatre West in Long Beach, the organization let him know that they had
purchased the original Broadway set of Bright Star after it finished
its national tour. After the did their own regional show of Bright Star in 2018, they have continued to rent it out to theaters that want to produce the show. Mira Costa was able to procure the set, which was loaded in to the auditorium at the end of last month.
"The original
Broadway set included the props and costumes, but since the Broadway
cast was fewer than 20 performers and Mira Costa has a cast of 34, we needed
[longtime Mira Costa costume designer] Alison Gerber to create a lot more costumes," said Mira Costa Drama/Tech Boosters President Kelly Gordon. Gordon added that Mira Costa also has have a student costume
team who is learning from Gerber.
(A student shows off a costume that she sewed herself, with advice from Gerber.)Mira Costa High School's Drama/Tech program, known for its comprehensive and award-
winning productions, continues to provide students with real-world experience in large-scale, professional-caliber shows. The program has garnered multiple awards from prestigious competitions and festivals, cementing its reputation for excellence in high school theater.
winning productions, continues to provide students with real-world experience in large-scale, professional-caliber shows. The program has garnered multiple awards from prestigious competitions and festivals, cementing its reputation for excellence in high school theater.
The Drama/Tech team is now fresh off their California Educational Theatre Association (CETA)
award wins for their fall production, "Anatomy of Gray," where they received a Superior rating for the second year in a row. In addition to the overall rating, the department received dozens of individual honors for the cast, crew and production team.Friday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m. (opening night)
Saturday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 30 at 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 1 at 6:30 p.m.
Friday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 3 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (closing night)
Residents of Manhattan Beach aged 55 and older can enjoy performances free of charge by
registering through the Be Our Guest program offered by the city of Manhattan Beach. .