Edward Kleban is coming to Dallas in the person of actor Doug Jackson, who will portray the lyricist of A Chorus Line in A Class Act, playing Aug. 22-Sept. 28 at Theatre Three. Michael Serrechia, an original cast member of A Chorus Line, will direct A Class Act.

A Class Act, crafted with Kleban's songs and a biographical book by Lonny Price and Linda Kline, tells the up and down history of the musical theatre creator who peaked with A Chorus Line and then went nowhere until he died of cancer in 1987. Songs in the score include "Gaugin's Shoes" (taken from Gallery), "The Next Best Thing to Love" (from Scandal), "One More Beautiful Song," "Charm Song" (from Musical Comedy), "Better," "Follow Your Star," "Broadway Boogie Woogie," "Light on My Feet," "I Choose You" and "One," taken from A Chorus Line.

Joining Jackson in the cast are Kyle McClaran (Lehman Engel), Julie Stirman (Lucy), Jennifer Freeman (Mona), Ashley Puckett Gonzales (Felicia), Candace Evans (Sophie), Jon Paul Burkhart (Charley/Marvin Hamlisch) and Shay Edwards (Bobby/Michael Bennett).

Tickets are $20-$35 with $10 seats Sept. 22 on Miser's Night Out. Theatre Three is located at 2800 Routh Street. For reservations, call (214) 871-3300. Theatre Three is on the web at http://www.theatre3dallas.com.

— By Christine Ehren