The musical, created and developed by David De Silva, will have played 40 previews and 264 regular performances. Previews began Oct. 7, 2004, with an official opening Nov. 11.

Fame is set in the 1980s and concerns the lives of up-n-coming performing artists attending New York's High School of Performing Arts. The musical — based on the acclaimed film and subsequent television series — features a book by Jose Fernandez and a score by Jacques Levy (lyrics) and Steve Margoshes (music). The title song — originally performed by Irene Cara in the film — was written by Dean Pitchford and Michael Gore.

Drew Scott Harris directs the New York production with choreography by Lars Bethke. The creative team also includes Norbert Kolb (sets), Ken Billington (lights), Paul Tazwell (costumes) and Christopher "Kit" Bond (sound). Fame is produced Off-Broadway by Richard Martini, Allen Spivak and Dodger Stage Holding by arrangement with The Father Fame Foundation.

Heading the cast of Fame are Jenna Coker as Grace, Natalie Cortez as Carmen Diaz, Rick Cornette as Nick Piazza, Emily Corney as Iris Kelly, Cheryl Freeman as Miss Esther Sherman, Nancy Hess as Ms. Greta Bell, Marque Lynche as Tyrone Jackson, Gannon Mchale as Mr. Sheinkopf, Dennis Moench as Schlomo Metzenbaum, Peter Reardon as Mr. Myers, José Restrepo as José Vegas, Sara Schmidt as Serena Katz, Seth Sikes as Goodman King and Q. Smith as Mabel Washington.

The ensemble comprises Alexis Carra, Ryan Christopher Chotto, Jessica Hope Cohen, Dinah Foddrill, David Garcia, David Glaspie, Wandah Kay, Shane Rhoades, Ambere Rogers, Luis Salgado, Erika Weber, Spiff Wiegand and Danita Salamida. The latter also serves as the choreography supervisor. Tickets for Fame on 42nd Street are priced $70-$80. The performance schedule at the Little Shubert (422 West 42nd Street) is Tuesdays at 7 PM, Wednesday-Saturday evenings at 8 PM with matinees on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2 PM and Sundays at 3 PM. For more information, visit www.fameon42.com.