Indigo Girl Emily Saliers Embraces Musical Theater with 'Starstruck'

Emily Saliers of Indigo Girls ventures into musical theater, composing for 'Starstruck,' blending folk roots with Broadway flair in an imaginative LGBTQ+ romance.

From Folk Stages to the Theater Spotlight

There’s something magical about watching a seasoned artist boldly step into uncharted territory. On a chilly January afternoon in New York City’s Ripley-Grier Studios, I found myself immersed in the world of Emily Saliers, one half of the iconic Indigo Girls duo, now diving headfirst into musical theater. Alongside Tony nominee Beth Malone and the dynamic director-choreographer Lorin Latarro, Saliers was deep in rehearsal and conversation—both of which buzzed with excitement and new creative energy.

For fans like me, longtime devotees of the Indigo Girls' soulful folk melodies and socially conscious lyrics, it’s thrilling to see Saliers pivot from the familiar guitar-driven harmonies into the realm of musical theater composition. Instead of fresh Indigo Girls tracks, she’s crafting the score for Starstruck, a vibrant retelling with a modern LGBTQ+ twist on the classic Cyrano de Bergerac tale, set in the 17th century but alive with contemporary sensibilities.

This musical isn’t launching in the usual NYC hubs. Instead, it will premiere at the historic Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, Pennsylvania, opening February 28. The cast itself is a Broadway powerhouse featuring Beth Malone, who also co-wrote the script, Krysta Rodriguez from Smash, and Sam Gravitte known for Wicked. The energy on set is palpable, and for Saliers, it’s an exhilarating first.

Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls performing live, August 2024.

Saying Yes to the Unknown

The spark for Starstruck ignited during the pandemic, an era that inspired many artists to stretch their creative wings. Saliers recalls a chance meeting with Beth Malone, facilitated by mutual friends, which quickly blossomed into a collaboration. Malone approached her about writing music for her script, inspired by Cyrano de Bergerac’s timeless themes but reimagined with a fresh, modern lens.

Before Saliers could even ponder the challenge, she found herself wholeheartedly saying, “Yes.” She admits with a chuckle, “I had no idea what I would be in for. I had never written for musical theater before, but suddenly I was all in.”

The talented cast of Starstruck bringing the story to life.

Malone, a seasoned Broadway performer with credits ranging from the 2006 Ring of Fire jukebox musical to Fun Home and film appearances like the 2025 Oscar-nominated Song Sung Blue, describes her own leap into writing the book for a musical as a “pie-in-the-sky impossible dream,” especially reaching out to Saliers. But that pandemic-induced “why not?” spirit was the perfect fuel to spark their journey together.

For Saliers, the allure wasn’t just in the project but in the challenge. Having made her first foray into scoring with the indie short film One Weekend a Month in 2004 and releasing the 2017 solo album Murmuration Nation, which featured a mini all-star cast of guest vocalists, she thrives on the thrill of new creative adventures. Her music, often steeped in bucolic melodies and heartfelt storytelling, now finds a fresh outlet in musical theater—a place where songs must not only sing but also propel a story forward.

The cast performing at the Bucks County Playhouse, where Starstruck shines.

Writing Beyond the Indigo Girls

Is Saliers branching out of necessity or desire? The answer’s a bit of both. She explains, “Writing for musical theater is a brand-new avenue for the creative process for me, and I love being able to have, and do, those sorts of things.” While many Indigo Girls songs might sound autobiographical, she reveals that much of her songwriting pulls from others’ stories or flights of imagination, especially the slower, moodier tunes. “If they were all about me,” she jokes, “I’d be this really miserable person with a forever broken heart.”

Empathy is the secret ingredient that propels her songwriting both within and beyond the Indigo Girls. She’s fascinated by what drives people into relationships, and just as intriguingly, what pulls them out. This emotional curiosity beautifully informs Starstruck, which centers around a woman writing love letters on behalf of another—only to find herself falling in love in the process.

Amy Ray and Emily Saliers sharing the stage with their signature harmonies.

Saliers admits that calling this new work a "frontier" comes with a caveat given the word’s historical baggage, but she can’t deny the feeling of exploring a fresh creative landscape. Writing songs for musical theater demands a distinct approach—songs need to set scenes and push narratives, not just evoke moods.

A fan of Stephen Sondheim’s work, she reveals how tricky it was to resist composing what she dubs “theaaaaatah saawwwngs” — the kind of theatrical numbers she usually belts out. Instead, she focuses on reinvention, always striving to avoid sentimentality in favor of fresh poetic language and metaphor.

Balancing New and Familiar Sounds

There were some bumps along the way—particularly around the desire to include existing Indigo Girls songs in Starstruck. Saliers initially wanted to focus on new music, but director Latarro helped her see the value of blending the old with the new, creating a rich, balanced soundscape.

“Starstruck is a nice mix of newer music and classic Indigo Girls tracks such as ‘Galileo,’” Latarro explains. The director is committed to ensuring the musical doesn't feel like a jukebox show but maintains a strong original voice.

Saliers agrees wholeheartedly, saying, “More than 50% newer music is the sweet spot. This work was born of desire, and now I can’t get enough.” Adding a personal touch, she mentions her 13-year-old daughter, a Broadway actor and singer with credits in Frozen and Fiddler on the Roof, making this artistic journey "all in the family."

Sam Gravitte and Beth Malone’s chemistry lights up Starstruck.

A Romantic Tale Under the Stars

The story of Starstruck draws heavily from the Cyrano de Bergerac formula—the classic trope of writing love letters on someone else’s behalf, only to discover unexpected feelings. Malone points out how this tale has inspired many beloved romantic comedies like Roxanne and You’ve Got Mail.

What makes Starstruck fresh is its LGBTQ+ perspective and the twist of the letter writer being a woman who only realizes she’s fallen deeply in love after the fact.

Adding an enchanting layer to the narrative is the setting—a dark-sky preserve where residents embrace the night’s natural beauty with minimal light pollution. Malone says this creates a “great view of the stars and the Milky Way,” amplifying the musical's romantic ambiance.

Characters include an astronomer, a bar owner, and a podcaster chasing an astro-tourism story—the latter eventually cut from the script to avoid complications involving NPR affiliations. Malone clarifies this decision wasn’t politically motivated but simply a matter of narrative streamlining.

Beth Malone shines in Starstruck with music and lyrics by Emily Saliers.

Embracing the Musical Theater Learning Curve

As previews kicked off in New Hope, the team was laser-focused on polishing every note and scene. Saliers’s journey from folk vocalist to musical theater composer is marked by relentless learning and adaptation.

“So many songs I wrote for this show have been cut,” she laughs. “First, they work, then they don’t anymore. It’s a steep learning curve.” She’s also learned to fiercely advocate for songs she believes in while remaining flexible to the needs of the story.

When asked about the first song she wrote for Starstruck, Saliers feigns forgetfulness but recalls it involved a character’s grandmother—an EPA activist and star mapper—with a dramatic fate. Though that song didn’t survive the final cut, her showstopper number, “What Lies Between,” remains firm. It’s a love song filled with mystery and emotional depth, culminating the characters’ journeys.

Latarro offers a candid insight into working with star musicians transitioning to theater. “Rock and pop stars are used to their songs being on platinum albums or winning Grammys. Suddenly, they’re writing for a story, and songs get cut or changed—it’s jarring, but that’s how theater works.”

In contrast, Indigo Girls typically craft albums carefully curated with no surplus songs. For Starstruck, Saliers penned around 20 songs, only a fraction of which made it into the show. Malone playfully suggests, “I guess you’ll have that many more songs for the next Indigo Girls album.”

FAQ

• How did Emily Saliers get involved with musical theater?
  Emily met Beth Malone during the pandemic and was quickly invited to compose music for Starstruck. Despite having no previous experience in musical theater, she eagerly said yes and embraced the challenge.
• What is Starstruck about?
  Starstruck is a 17th-century romance inspired by Cyrano de Bergerac that adds a modern LGBTQ+ twist, focusing on love letters written on behalf of another and unexpected romantic discoveries.
• Where is Starstruck premiering?
  The musical premieres at Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, Pennsylvania, starting February 28.
• Does Starstruck feature existing Indigo Girls songs?
  Yes, the show includes a mix of new compositions by Saliers and classic Indigo Girls tracks like “Galileo,” but the majority of the music is original to the show.
• How does writing for musical theater differ from writing for the Indigo Girls?
  Musical theater requires songs to drive the story forward and set scenes, unlike the more autobiographical and mood-driven songwriting of the Indigo Girls. Saliers had to adjust her style to meet these demands.

Thinking about bringing a bit of this magical musical journey into your own space? Shop your favorite album cover posters and celebrate the artistry of Emily Saliers and the Indigo Girls with unique prints at Architeg Prints. It’s a perfect way to keep the music and memories alive.