Independent Arts News Reporting Beth Malone, Krysta Rodriguez and Sam Gravitte to Lead World Premiere of “Starstruck” at Bucks County Playhouse
Reported on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
Pictured Above: Starstruck Bucks County Playhouse. Photo Credit: Contributed.
NEWSROOM POST: NEW HOPE, PENNSYLVANIA
Cast and Creative Team Announced for the New Musical Featuring a score by Emily Saliers of “The Indigo Girls,” the show runs February 19 – March 21
New Hope, PA – Bucks County Playhouse Producing Director Alexander Fraser, Executive Producer Robyn Goodman and Producer Josh Fiedler have announced the cast and creative team for the world premiere of “Starstruck,” a new musical comedy that kicks off the Playhouse’s 2026 mainstage season. Previews begin Feb. 19, with an official opening night Feb. 28. The production runs through March 21. Tony Award nominee Beth Malone (“Fun Home”), co-creator of the musical, also stars as Cyd DeBerg; alongside Krysta Rodriguez (“Smash,” “Into the Woods”) as Roxanne Cooley and Sam Gravitte (“Wicked”) as Chris.
They are joined by Danielle Lee Greaves (“Mamma Mia!” at Bucks County Playhouse; Broadway’s “Parade”) as Sunny; Scott Stangland (“Dead Outlaw”) as J.D.; Sandra Valls (“Real Women Have Curves”) as Crash; Donald Corren (“Souvenir”) as Woody; and Sydney Patrick (National Tour of “Kinky Boots”) as Linda, Nathan Quay Thomas (Goodspeed’s “Maggie”) and Elana Cantor (“54 Sings Demi Lovato”) complete the cast.
“Starstruck” features a book by Malone and Mary Ann Stratton, with music and lyrics by Emily Saliers. The production is directed and choreographed by Lorin Latarro, a member of Bucks County Playhouse’s Artist Council. Latarro’s Broadway credits include “Waitress,” “Tommy” and “Mrs. Doubtfire.” Her work is currently represented on Broadway in the revival of “Chess.”
Pictured Above: Krysta Rodriguez. Photo Credit: Contributed.
Malone is a Tony Award nominee for her performance in “Fun Home” and has appeared on Broadway in “Angels in America” and “Ring of Fire.” Stratton is a spoken-word poet and former English teacher whose work has been read at theaters and festivals across the country. Saliers is a Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and a founding member of the Indigo Girls, whose music has been featured in film, television and theater. “Starstruck” marks a rare theatrical collaboration bringing together voices from Broadway, contemporary theater and popular music.
“Starstruck” is a sharp and surprising new musical comedy set in the mountain town of Sawtooth, Idaho, where the night sky looms large and the stars have never felt closer. Astronomer Cyd DeBerg is determined to secure Dark Sky Reserve status for the town — but not if bar owner JD’s neon sign has anything to say about it. When a nationally known NPR podcaster arrives to cover the conflict, small-town tensions lead to revelations about connection, change, and unexpected attraction. With a book by Tony Award–nominee Beth Malone and Mary Ann Stratton and music by Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls, “Starstruck” shines as a luminous new musical that sparkles with heart.
“What a thrill to have a team of Broadway’s A-list launch our final season as producers at the Playhouse! Working with Beth, Mary Ann and Emily is an honor, and we’re particularly to welcome Lorin back. This is her 20th production at the Playhouse… we offered Lorin the chance to direct a musical for the first time and are so proud to watch her career take off,” said Alexander Fraser, Producing Director of Bucks County Playhouse. “We can’t wait to get the show on its feet.”
Executive Producer Robyn Goodman added, “Developing new musicals has always been central to the Playhouse’s mission, and ‘Starstruck’ embodies that commitment. Bringing together artists of this caliber for a world premiere is incredibly exciting, and we’re proud to introduce this show to audiences here first.”
“This is exactly the kind of bold, original work we want to lead with as we launch our 2026 season,” said Producer, Josh Fiedler. “’Starstruck’ is smart, funny and deeply human, and this extraordinary creative team is telling a story that feels both intimate and expansive — perfectly suited to our stage and our audience.”
The creative team includes two-time Tony-winning scenic designer Beowulf Boritt (“New York, New York,” “Act One”); Sophia Choi (Encore’s “Urinetown,” “KPOP: The Musical”) costume designer; J. Jared Janas (“Elf: The Musical” at Bucks County Playhouse; “Beaches,” “Bug”) hair designer; Paige Seber (“Titanique”) lighting designer; Brian Ronan (“The Book of Mormon,” “The Great Gatsby”) sound designer; S. Katy Tucker (“Smash”) projection designer; Bryan Perri (“Almost Famous,” “Jagged Little Pill”) music director. Orchestrations, Arrangements and Music Supervision are by Tom Kitt (“Next to Normal,” “Almost Famous”). Tyler Crow (“The Notebook”) is production stage manager. Casting is by Paul Hardt.
Kevin Ryan (“Ragtime,” “Gypsy”) leads commercial team developing the new musical; he is joined by executive producers Glennon Doyle, Abby Wambach and Tig Notaro, with additional developmental support provided by InMaat.
Tickets start at $44 and are on sale now at BucksCountyPlayhouse.org or by calling 215-862-2121. VIP tickets are available to select performances that include various additions like photo op with writers, meet and greet opportunities, food, drink and more. Details are available on the website.
For previews on Thursday, February 19, and Friday, February 20, at 7:30 p.m., a limited number of tickets will be available on a pay-what-you-can basis for patrons wishing to purchase up to six tickets at the price of their choosing (suggested price: $20). Tickets will be available starting at 5:30 p.m. and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Seating locations will be assigned by the box office.
ABOUT BUCKS COUNTY PLAYHOUSE
Bucks County Playhouse, whose theatrical legacy dates to its founding in 1939 by a roster of Broadway luminaries, celebrates the 13th anniversary of its 2012 reopening and restoration. Welcoming more than 80,000 patrons annually, the Playhouse continues to help drive the economic resurgence of New Hope and the surrounding region. In 2014, Tony Award-winning producers Alexander Fraser, Robyn Goodman and Josh Fiedler assumed leadership of the Playhouse, guiding its artistic revitalization and helping it reclaim its reputation for attracting top Broadway and Hollywood talent. Productions of “Company,” starring Justin Guarini, and “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” were named to The Wall Street Journal’s Best of Theatre list in 2015. In 2018, the Journal again recognized the Playhouse — and artistic associate Hunter Foster — for its acclaimed production of “42nd Street.” The following year, the publication hailed Bucks County Playhouse as “one of the best regional theaters on the East Coast.” Box office records have been repeatedly broken by signature productions including “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story,” “Steel Magnolias” (directed by Marsha Mason), “Million Dollar Quartet,” “42nd Street” and “Guys and Dolls” (all directed by Foster), as well as “Mamma Mia!” (directed by artistic associate John Tartaglia and choreographed by Shannon Lewis).
A brief pause during the COVID-19 pandemic did not diminish the theater’s momentum. The Playhouse continued producing onstage and onscreen throughout 2020, culminating in a live summer season in 2021 that welcomed an increasing number of first-time patrons. The 2023 season featured notable productions including Jonathan Larson’s “Tick, Tick … Boom!” (directed by artistic associate Eric Rosen, who returned in 2024 to helm the audience and critics’ favorite “Anastasia: The Musical”), “The Bridges of Madison County,” directed by Foster, and “The Rocky Horror Show,” starring Frankie Grande. Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” became the highest-grossing show in Playhouse history, a record eclipsed by a new production of “Elf: The Musical” in 2025. In both 2024 and 2025, more than 40% of the Playhouse audience consisted of first-time attendees, drawn to record-breaking productions including “Elf: The Musical,” “The Rocky Horror Show,” “Grease!” and “Anastasia: The Musical.” The Playhouse continues to attract top creative teams — artists who relish the opportunity to work on the historic stage where Grace Kelly, Robert Redford and Jessica Walter began their careers.
