With 1,500 performances under her belt, you can say that Ann Nieman is a veteran of 42nd Street. Nieman was on the first national tour after the show's inception on Broadway in 1980. Since then, she has performed many of the musical's roles, from ensemble to chorus girls Anytime Annie, Phyllis and Lorraine. At one time, she was the understudy for the entire ensemble.

"I loved every single second of it," Nieman said. "I have never got tired of it."

Which is fortunate, because she directs and choreographs the production that takes the stage Friday at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre. The Texas resident is in Mesa for the first time.

42nd Street tells the story of once-great director Julian Marsh, who tries to make a comeback with a musical called Pretty Lady. The show's title comes from the famous street in the heart of New York's theater district.

In Depression-era New York, a hit show will mean a steady paycheck for the cast of theatrical veterans and young hopefuls. Marsh's star, Dorothy Brock, is a Broadway diva trying to ensure that the spotlight stays centered on her, while fresh-faced chorus girl Peggy Sawyer is looking for her first break. But when an accident befalls a cast member, the show's survival is at stake.

The show, which won Tony awards for choreography and best musical, is loosely based on the movie of the same name that was released in 1933 and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture.

There's music, dance, glitz and glamour of 1930s New York, plus classic songs, production numbers and tap dancing.

The Mesa run stars Dan Schiff as Julian Marsh and Carolyn McPhee as Dorothy Brock.

Jennifer Cameron plays Peggy Sawyer. For 25-year-old Cameron, who moved to New York City after college two years ago to perform on Broadway, art imitates life.

"Peggy's is pretty much my real-life story," said Cameron, who is yet to reach her goal and travels out of New York to perform in theater. "It's the whole story of pursuing your dream."

In New York, Cameron lives on 43rd Street and each day walks past the theater district.

"This is why I live in New York. This is why I'm pursuing my dream," she said.

Leslie Jabara, marketing manager of Broadway Palm, calls 42nd Street "the Broadway musical for people who love Broadway musicals."

The underlying message is the achievement of the American dream: If you want something badly enough and work toward it, it really can happen.

"This show embodies what performers love about theater," Nieman said.

Srianthi Perera
The Arizona Republic

http://www.azcentral.com