The story focuses on a contemporary Manhattan couple celebrating their long engagement. They present each other with picture frames — the sort of store-bought frames that have models' pictures inserted into them.

The question is asked, "Why can't you be perfect like this person in the frame?"

The wish is granted and the man is taken by surprise when the titular girl is found waiting for him on his couch, complete with flowing white dress and flowers in her hair.

*

"She pushes the engaged couple to put some more thought into what 'perfect' really means to them," Stoneham producing director Troy Siebels told Playbill On-Line. Jeremy Desmon submitted a one-act version of the show to Stoneham, and the directors there "listened and loved it" but they don't have a slot for it. Once it was expanded into a longer show, the script found a place in the troupe's season.

The musicals is billed as "a hip, lighthearted comedy with quick-witted lyrics and a pop-music feel." Desmon's full time job is handling musical theatre submissions from young playwrights and composers like himself.

Desmon received a degree in musical theatre writing from the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, where he originally conceived of the plot for The Girl in the Frame as a 20-minute-musical class project.

The writer, a Buffalo native, became interested in musical theatre during his years at Stanford University, where he earned a degree in economics and public policy. While there, he penned Apathy: The New Musical, among other works.

After graduating, he worked for one year as a management consultant, then left the corporate world to pursue musical theatre writing.

The Girl in the Frame is directed by Stoneham Theatre artistic director Weylin Symes. Timothy Evans is musical director. The production is the first in the 2003-2004 Emerging Stages series, Stoneham Theatre's effort to develop emerging playwrights and new scripts. (Stoneham also has a Mainstage Series for more established shows, such as the musical, Lizzie Borden, scheduled for spring 2004).

The Girl in the Frame cast includes Josef Hansen, Ceit McCaleb, Julie Jirousek and Christopher Chew. The creative team includes scenic designer Jenna McFarland, costume designer Christine Alger, lighting designer Ira Einsidler.

Performances are Thursdays, Oct. 30 and Nov. 6 at 7:30 PM; Fridays, Oct. 31 and Nov. 7 at 8 PM; Saturday, Nov. 8 at 4 PM; and Sundays Nov. 2 and 9 at 2 PM.  Tickets are $16-$32.

Stoneham Theatre operates as an Equity troupe in a former vaudeville and movie house eight miles north of downtown Boston.

For tickets or information, call (617) 338-2000 or visit stonehamtheatre.org.