Tony winner Randy Graff and director-performer Lonny Price lead the cast of A Class Act, currently playing at the Manhattan Theatre Club. The musical's company recorded the score Nov. 13 for release in Feb. 2001.
In this biographical musical, Lonny Price plays real-life lyricist composer Ed Kleban, who is best known for his lyrics to A Chorus Line. The show spotlights Kleban as composer and lyricist; his composing skills were not as well known. Among characters is late musical director Lehman Engel, the blunt, bigger-than-life mentor to many songwriters, including Kleban, Maury Yeston, Skip Kennon, Alan Menken and others. The famous BMI Musical Theatre Workshop is named for Lehman Engel. Composer Marvin Hamlisch and late director choreographer Michael Bennett are also characters.
