Linda Kline and Lonny Price penned the show, which uses trunk songs by the late composer-lyricist Kleban, who is best known for writing the lyrics to Marvin Hamlisch's music for A Chorus Line. The muscial (using Kleban's memorial service as a dramatic frame) was first seen at Manhattan Theatre Club and then on Broadway in 2001. A cast album preserves the original Off-Broadway cast's work.
Bobby Smith plays Kleban in the DC staging, directed by Serge Seiden and musical directed by George Fulginiti Shakar. It plays the Studio's Mead space.
The cast includes Roseanne Medina as Sophie, Lauri Kraft as Lucy, Leo Erickson as Lehman Engel, Tony Capone as Bobby, Mia Whang as Felicia, Cathy Carey as Mona and Eric Sutton as Charley and Marvin Hamlisch.
A Class Act has been popping up at regional theatres around the country, intriguing fans of musical theatre who are curious to see the show that has been billed as "a musical about making musicals."
The Studio Theatre is at 14th and P Streets NW in Washington, DC. For information, call (202) 332-3300 or visit www.studiotheatre.org.
