Indigo Girls' Emily Saliers makes musical debut at Bucks County Playhouse with 'Starstruck'

The musical inspired by 'Cyrano de Bergerac' and Steve Martin's film 'Roxanne' features new and familiar songs by Saliers.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Emily Saliers, one half of the folk rock duo Indigo Girls, is making her musical theater debut with a new romantic comedy premiering at the Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope this season. 'Starstruck' is set in a fictional Idaho mountain town and inspired by 'Cyrano de Bergerac' through the Steve Martin film 'Roxanne.' The production features Saliers' original songs.

Why it matters

For Saliers, the project marks a deliberate move beyond the Indigo Girls catalog and into new creative territory at a time when, she says, making art feels both necessary and sustaining. The musical also highlights the growing trend of musicians transitioning into musical theater.

The details

Saliers initially insisted on not using any songs from the Indigo Girls' catalogue, preferring to create and contribute only new songs. Ultimately, she relented, and of the 18 songs in 'Starstruck,' less than a handful will be familiar to the fans of the Indigo Girls. The musical is loosely based on the play 'Cyrano de Bergerac,' about a witty but unattractive man who feeds romantic lines to a better-looking suitor in efforts to woo his lady love. But co-writer and star Beth Malone said her inspiration wasn't the original French play from 1897, but its 1987 film adaptation, 'Roxanne,' starring Steve Martin.

  • The musical 'Starstruck' premieres at the Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, Pennsylvania on February 24, 2026.
  • The musical will run at the Bucks County Playhouse until March 21, 2026.

The players

Emily Saliers

One half of the folk rock duo Indigo Girls, making her musical theater debut with 'Starstruck'.

Beth Malone

Co-writer and star of 'Starstruck', portraying the character of Cyd DeBerg, a park ranger and amateur astronomer.

Mary Ann Stratton

Co-writer of 'Starstruck', collaborating with Beth Malone on the musical inspired by 'Cyrano de Bergerac' and 'Roxanne'.

Bucks County Playhouse

The theater in New Hope, Pennsylvania that is premiering the new musical 'Starstruck'.

Indigo Girls

The folk rock duo that Emily Saliers is one half of, known for their extensive catalog of music.

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What they’re saying

“It's so wonderful to be creating art in the midst of all this very, very troublesome stuff that's going on in this country. I'm grateful to be making art in the midst of that, because otherwise you just feel like sometimes giving it all up.”

— Emily Saliers (WHYY)

“I'm like, 'I want to play Steve Martin in 'Roxanne.' That's what I want to do. The curmudgeon, strong-willed, anti-hero, cranky-ass is played by me. It's not a man.”

— Beth Malone, Co-writer and star of 'Starstruck' (WHYY)

“It's one of the last dark skies, and our prickly-pear main character, who is complicated and has a lot of sharp edges, is on a mission to save that dark sky for all the right reasons.”

— Mary Ann Stratton, Co-writer of 'Starstruck' (WHYY)

What’s next

The musical 'Starstruck' will continue its run at the Bucks County Playhouse through March 21, 2026, giving audiences the opportunity to see Emily Saliers' musical theater debut.

The takeaway

Emily Saliers' transition from Indigo Girls to musical theater with 'Starstruck' demonstrates the versatility and creativity of established musicians, as they seek new avenues to express their artistry and connect with audiences in fresh ways.