Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Tryon Little Theater’s production of “Bright Star” opens March 5, at the Tryon Fine Arts Center. This sweeping tale of love and redemption is set against the rich backdrop of the American south in the 1920s and ‘40s, unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion, beautiful melodies, and powerfully moving performances.

In a scene set in 1945, young Billy Cane returns from the war, excited to see his family. Since there was no communication during those troubled times, his father has some bad news for his son to face – the death of his mother.

Life does go on, however, and as an aspiring young writer he moves to Asheville where he finds more than he’s bargained for.

Although this is Payton Williams’ first performance with TLT in the role of Billy, he’s an aspiring actor/model/singer, is signed with Z1 Models and Talent in Chester and with BMG Talent in Atlanta. He is from the Roebuck Pauline area in South Carolina.

“What drew me to audition was I saw this musical performed at the International Thespian Festival in Nebraska and I fell in love with it,” he says. “The character I am playing, Billy, became a dream role and once I heard that TLT was putting it on I knew I wanted to bring this wonderful story to life.”

Directed by Dan Harvey, with musical direction by Ben Chumley, “Bright Star” runs March 5-8. For more information visit www.tltinfo.org or you can call 828-859-2466.

 

Monica Jones

 

Payton Williams as “Billy”, just returned from WWII and mourning the death of his mother.