A Class Act

Songwriter Ed Kleban’s friends gather at his memorial after his untimely death at the age of 48. Unbeknownst to them, Ed makes a surprise trip from “the beyond” to hear their loving tributes. Instead, he is shocked by their critical remarks. Determined to set the record straight, he shadows the speakers at the memorial as they relive scenes from his life, told with his own songs, including the showstopper “Better,” originally recorded by Barbra Streisand. The ensemble includes the legendary Lehman Engel, leader of the BMI Musical Theatre Workshop; the uber-energetic composer Marvin Hamlisch, with whom we see Ed writing the lyrics for A Chorus Line’s iconic score; and the dynamic women in Ed’s life – sexy Mona, ambitious Felicia, lovely Lucy, and his first love, Sophie, who sings Ed’s modern romantic ballad “The Next Best Thing To Love.” Ed himself sings his extraordinary song “Self-Portrait,” which reveals the depth and humanity of one of musical theatre’s previously unsung masters. This vibrant musical finally gives Ed and his music the recognition they deserve.