Tonys: Double-Nominee Steve Martin Makes Surprise Appearance During His Musical ‘Bright Star’ (Video)

Steve Martin, the beloved actor/musician who wrote the book and, with Edie Brickell, composed the music for the Broadway musical Bright Star, surprised the show’s Friday night audience at the Cort Theatre by making a surprise on-stage appearance after intermission.

When the curtain came up, Martin was front-and-center playing his show’s score on the banjo, surrounded by the band that is normally on stage at that time without him. The audience instantly erupted into a loud and standing ovation. (Watch footage from the audience and from the rafters below.)

“This is a first,” confirmed an awestruck usher.

Bright Star received five Tony nominations on May 3, including best musical (Hamilton is the category’s heavy favorite), best actress in a musical (stunning newcomer Carmen Cusack) and best orchestrations. Martin is personally nominated for best book and, with Brickell, best score.

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.@SteveMartinToGo makes his Broadway debut! @BrightStarBway pic.twitter.com/071awQIwfw

— Hannah Elless (@HannahElless) May 14, 2016