A Class Act is a biographical musical of
the short life of Edward Kleban, lyricist for A Chorus Line. By using
songs that he had written during his lifetime (and that had never
seen the light of day) we meet Ed, the colorful gallery of friends,
loved ones and colleagues who inhabit his life, including the acerbic
Lehman Engle, the relentlessly peppy Marvin Hamlisch and the
uber-creative Michael Bennett.
As our show begins, Ed’s spirit hovers
over his Memorial Service at the Shubert Theatre. Those who knew him
reminisce through laughter, comic memories, poignant stories and
warmth about the high and low points in the life of this neurotic, fiercely
stubborn perfectionist whose fiery temperament was believed to have
hampered the Sondheim-like success he pursued.
Through flashbacks and
an eclectic musical collection ranging from ditties to ballads to
rousing old-fashioned show tunes, we get to know the complex fellow
who was Ed Kleban.
This is a moving and funny celebration of music,
friendship and musical theatre. It is at times fun, at times funny, at
times moving, at times charming, at times bittersweet, but always
real. Chances are you’ve never heard of Ed Kleban, but after seeing A
Class Act chances are extraordinarily good that you’ll never forget his
name or his songs.
