Directed by Hub Theatre artistic director Helen Pafumi, the limited engagement will continue through Dec. 30.

The musical is based on Acito's award-winning novel of the same name, which was published in 2004. According to press notes, "It is the hilarious yet heartwarming tale of a talented but irresponsible teen actor who schemes to steal his tuition money when his wealthy father refuses to pay for acting school. Seventeen-year-old Edward Zanni, a feckless Ferris Bueller type, is Peter-Panning his way through life with his screwball theater friends. When his businessman father remarries and pulls the plug on Edward's dreams, the aspiring thespian turns to a life of disorganized crime. At its heart, How I Paid For College is about how far you are willing to go to make a dream come true. It's a story for anyone who's ever had a dream...and a scheme."

Brightman, whose Broadway credits include Wicked and Glory Days, will play dozens of roles in the production, which is described as a "monologsical."

The John Swayze Theatre is located inside the New School of Northern Virginia. For more information and tickets, call (800) 494-8497 or visit TheHubTheatre.org.