Nebraska Repertory Theatre

04/17/2026

More from the production. Bright Star is open and running at Nebraska Repertory Theatre.

Photography by Izzy Lewis.

Tickets at nebraskarep.org.

04/17/2026

Opening night audiences LOVED Bright Star. Tickets are selling fast at NebraskaRep.org. Thank you Taryn Vanderford 1011 NOW for being such a great supporter of local arts!

10/11 News at 4

04/16/2026

Tonight's the night. Bright Star opens at Nebraska Repertory Theatre, and we could not be more proud of this extraordinary company.

A huge thank you to our talented cast, crew, designers, and musicians who have poured their hearts into this production — and to our guest director , a member of the original Broadway cast, who brought his firsthand knowledge and artistry to every rehearsal.

Sneak peek photos from dress rehearsal by Kyle Andersen.

Tickets at nebraskarep.org.

04/13/2026

Meet Bobby Pieranunzi.

Bobby's career spans California, New York, and many places in between — though home will always be the Windy City. His Broadway tour credits include Bright Star (Swing, Dance Captain) and A Bronx Tale (Frankie Coffeecake). Regional credits include A Transparent Musical (Len), Bye Bye Birdie (Albert), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Jimmy), and CATS (various kittens), just to name a few.

His path to Nebraska Rep runs through a long-standing professional friendship with UNL's Hank Stratton.

"Hank and I have been in the same professional circles for a number of years through the Los Angeles performing arts community," Pieranunzi says. "We'd talked about my directing Bright Star if he ever brought it into UNL's season, so I was thrilled to learn it was on the books this year. Any chance I get to return to this material, I love to take it — just to introduce more people to the show."

For Pieranunzi, each production is a fresh collaboration. "Whenever I approach this show, I love hearing the new perspectives the design team brings and what they want to do," he says. "The production has to be reimagined for pretty much every theatre we go into because everything was so specific to the original Broadway setting. I try to carry the spirit of that wherever I go, to honor the piece. Some of it is just brilliant storytelling."

The show's themes hit close to home. "There are so many simple but powerful messages that aren't revolutionary on their own — but with the addition of music, they land differently," he reflects. "The arts were always supported in my own life, and one line in the show has stayed with me: 'Hopes and dreams and fine imaginings — they happen in their own good time.'"

"I hope everyone can hear that, whether they're 14 or 85. As long as there's hope and you keep your dreams alive, those things can still happen for you. We're all on our own journey — and hopefully, we'll all achieve whatever it is we want."

Bright Star opens April 16 and runs through April 26. Tickets, season details, and donation opportunities are available at NebraskaRep.org.

04/09/2026

Bright Star opens next week. Get your tickets at NebraskaRep.org.

03/26/2026

Meet the cast of our upcoming production of Bright Star with Music, Book and Story by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell. Tickets at NebraskaRep.org.

03/04/2026

Behind the scenes at The Rep: movement rehearsals are underway for Bright Star, the Tony-nominated musical with music, book, and story by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell.

We’re thrilled to welcome guest director Robert Pieranunzi, who appeared in the original Broadway cast of Bright Star.

Get your tickets now at NebraskaRep.org.

Image description: Actors rehearse choreography during dance rehearsals for Bright Star at Nebraska Repertory Theatre.

02/25/2026

Final week of Tigers Be Still by Kim Rosenstock starts tonight. Step inside the beautifully crafted world our designers created for this heartfelt, offbeat story. Good seats still available — grab yours at NebraskaRep.org.

Tigers Be Still By Kim Rosenstock
Directed By Lori Adams

Charlie Berens Scenic Designer
Lilli Rowan Lighting Designer
Haley Brown Costume Designer
Cecelia Ponce* Sound Design
Rory Brownell Technical Director
Stephen Venditti Properties Designer
*NRT Guest Artist

02/21/2026

Check out this review by Appearing Locally! Thanks for reviewing this production. Good seats still available at NebraskaRep.org.

Regina Hinkley reviews Tigers Be Still at Nebraska Repertory Theatre

02/20/2026

It's a great night for a dark comedy. The show must go on:) Audiences are loving Tigers Be Still. We'll see you tonight at 7:30pm. Tickets still available at NebraskaRep.org.

Tigers Be Still By Kim Rosenstock
Directed By Lori Adams
Dez Chavez - Sherry
Samuel Dean Landretti - Zack
Kevin Paul Hofeditz* - Joseph
Annie McClory - Grace
Grant Lacombe - Understudy Zack
Caroline Michonski - Understudy Sherry & Grace
Charlie Berens Scenic Designer
Lilli Rowan Lighting Designer
Haley Brown Costume Designer
Cecelia Ponce* Sound Design
Stephen Venditti Properties Designer
Photography by Izzy Lewis
*NRT Guest Artists

02/19/2026

Tigers Be Still By Kim Rosenstock

Directed By Lori Adams
Dez Chavez - Sherry
Samuel Dean Landretti - Zack
Kevin Paul Hofeditz* - Joseph
Annie McClory - Grace
Grant Lacombe - Understudy Zack
Caroline Michonski - Understudy Sherry & Grace

Charlie Berens Scenic Designer
Lilli Rowan Lighting Designer
Haley Brown Costume Designer
Cecelia Ponce* Sound Design
Stephen Venditti Properties Designer
Photography by Kyle Andersen

*NRT Guest Artists
Happy Opening to the Cast and Crew of Kim Rosenstock's Tigers Be Still. Some sneak peek production photos. Good seats still available at NebraskaRep.org.

02/17/2026

So many generations of learners in one room. Another great Backstage at the Rep session with our friends from Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNL. Tigers Be Still costume designer Haley Brown shows her sketches for the play's characters. Good seats still remain. Get your tickets at NebraskaRep.org.