Among the starry cast who recorded A Class Act Nov. 13 were Jonathan Freeman (She Loves Me, "Aladdin"), David Hibbard (Cats), Julia Murney (The Wild Party) and Nancy Kathyrn Anderson (Jolson and Co.).
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. A Class Act is expected to be released on CD in February, 2001.
