The new musical “Starstruck” will take a world-premiere bow at Bucks Country Playhouse. The tuner will begin previews on Feb. 20, 2026, at the New Hope, Pennsylvania venue ahead of a Feb. 28 opening night. The production will play a limited engagement through March 21. This debut mounting is being produced by the Playhouse and Josh Fiedler in association with Kevin Ryan. Lorin Latarro, the Playhouse’s artistic associate, will direct and choreograph “Starstruck.”
Featuring a score by Emily Saliers and a book by Beth Malone and Mary Ann Stratton, “Starstruck” is a modern riff on Cyrano de Bergerac. Set in Sawtooth, Idaho, the tuner follows Cyd DeBerg as she attempts to create the first International Dark Sky Reserve in the United States. Cyd’s efforts gain national attention (much to the chagrin of local nemesis JD) as well as that of National Public Radio journalist Roxanne Cooley, and an unlikely love triangle ensues.
“As we look for the right show to launch at the playhouse, what first pops out to me are those that depict something new,” said Playhouse executive producer Robyn Goodman in a statement. “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.’”
“‘Starstruck’ has rhythm, humor and heart — and the Playhouse is the perfect launchpad,” added Latarro. “I’m so happy to be back at Bucks County Playhouse, where I first began directing.”
Latarro, who directed the Playhouse’s premiere of “A Taste of Things to Come” in 2016, is known for her work as a performer in 11 Broadway shows, and, more recently, her back-to-back Main Stem choreographing credits, including 2024’s “The Who’s Tommy,” “The Heart of Rock and Roll” and “Once Upon a Mattress.” Lataro is currently represented on Broadway with the revival of “Chess.”
Singer-songwriter Saliers is one-half of the folk-rock group Indigo Girls, along with Amy Ray. The group’s 1989 eponymous album won the 1990 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Recording. Indigo Girls’ additional albums include 1991’s “Back on the Bus, Y’all,” 1992’s “Rites of Passage,” 1994’s “Swamp Ophelia” and 1997’s “Shaming of the Sun” — each of which was nominated for a Grammy in that same category.
Malone is known for her Tony Award-nominated featured turn in 2015’s “Fun Home.” Malone’s performance résumé includes 2006’s “Ring of Fire” and the 2018 revival of “Angels in America.” Stratton is a spoken-word poet and a former high school English teacher.
Located on the site of a former grist mill, Bucks County Playhouse opened in 1939. Several Playhouse world premieres have later bowed on Broadway, such as Terrence McNally’s “Mother and Sons” and William Goldman’s adaptation of Stephen King’s “Misery.”
Goodman, who won a Tony as part of the producing team of the aforementioned “Angels in America” and was nominated for producing the aforementioned “Who’s Tommy,” became executive producer in 2013. Alexander Fraser, who won a Tony as part of the producing team of “The Normal Heart,” was named producing director at the same time. Fiedler produced “Angels in America” and “The Who’s Tommy” on Broadway with Goodman under the entity Aged in Wood, while Ryan is currently represented on Broadway as part of the producing team of “Ragtime,” having won a Tony for producing “Sunset Boulevard.”
As for “Starstruck,” the musical’s genesis took place about five years ago. “I started writing ‘Starstruck’ during the pandemic — mostly because I needed to believe in something beautiful again,” said Malone. “So, my best friend and co-writer, Mary Ann Stratton, and I decided to create something that felt alive and full of hope when the world felt anything but. We’ve both been lifelong Indigo Girls fans, so when Emily Saliers came on board to write the music and lyrics, it felt like the universe saying, ‘Yes, keep going.’ ‘Starstruck’ reminds us that even in the dark, we’re connected — to the stars, to each other and to the next brave thing we try to create.”
“Nearly 40 years ago, my best friend Beth Malone and I shared a tiny apartment where the Indigo Girls played on repeat. Now, we are writing a musical with the legendary Emily Saliers, and it feels like gravity has lost its hold — my feet aren’t quite touching the ground,” said Stratton.
“Nothing in our universe stays still — we are always orbiting, crashing into each other, shifting and changing,” said Saliers. “For a songwriter like myself, this is the juiciest of metaphors to explore, and ‘Starstruck’ has given me the universe at my fingertips. I adore this musical and feel honored to be writing the music and lyrics that help bring it to life.”
Casting and additional members of the creative team will be announced.
