42nd Street

Act One

It’s New York City, 1933. The big news for all performers in town: Julian Marsh, one of Broadway’s hottest producers and directors, is gearing up to stage his next big show (“Overture”).

At the 42nd Street Theatre, auditions for the chorus the new show, Pretty Lady, are underway. Andy Lee, the dance director, leads all the hopeful contenders through the steps while Oscar, the rehearsal pianist, plays and Billy Lawlor, the show’s young male lead, looks on (“Audition Number”).

Maggie Jones and Bert Barry, the writers of Pretty Lady, arrive at the theatre. The duo still has much to do before their producer, Julian Marsh, arrives. Maggie approves Andy’s choice of chorus members before leaving with Bert to compose the final songs for the show. Thrilled that they have been hired, the chorus members step up to give their names: Phyllis, Lorraine, Diane, Ethel and Ann — or as she is better known, “Anytime Annie.” As Ethel tauntingly explains, Annie earned her nickname after “only