Opened: October 5, 2006

Book by: James Kirkwood & Nicholas Dante

Music by: Marvin Hamlisch

Lyrics by: Edward Kleban

Original Revival Cast: Ken Alan, Brad Anderson, Michael Berresse, Natalie Cortez, Charlotte d’Amboise, Mara Davi, Jessica Lee Goldyn, Deidre Goodwin, Tyler Hanes, James T. Lane, Paul McGill, Heather Parcells, Michael Paternostro, Alisan Poter, Jeffrey Schecter, Yuka Takara, Jason Tam, Chryssie Whitehead, Tony Yazbeck, Michelle Aravena, David Baum, Mike Cannon, E. Clayton Cornelius, Nadine Isenegger, Lorin Latarro & Grant Turner

It’s not easy to make a name for yourself in the theater world, and open auditions give the chance for a nobody to become a star.

Director Zach (Michael Berresse) and choreographer Larry (Tyler Hanes) are holding auditions for an upcoming musical. Over the course of the show, the audience gets to learn intimate details about 17 performers and how they got to this audition.

This show is refreshingly simple and honest. There’s no set, just the bare stage, so the focus really is put on the performers.

There are all types of music and monologues in this show. “At the Ballet” is a beautiful reflection of three girls reminiscing about their love of dance, while Paul’s (Jason Tam) monologue will reduce the audience to tears.

Final say: A lovely revival of the classic. ★★★★☆