First launched as a musical film in 1933, 42nd Street tells the story of a young showgirl who negotiates the treacherous world of professional theater to become a star. Tough, slangy dialogue, streetwise characters, innovative choreography and a classic score made for a wildly successful film that saved Warner Bros. studios from the brink of bankruptcy. The theater production went on to enjoy a long run on Broadway in the early 1980s, with nearly 3,500 performances.

An unusual number of "terrific dancers" at The King's Academy was one of the factors that led Cabot to choose 42nd Street, "a great song and dance show," as the spring musical for the Christian middle and senior high school. Though Cabot has been leading the school's well-respected drama department for more than a decade, she says she's entering a new realm with 42nd Street.

"It's by far the most complex show The King's Academy has ever attempted," says Cabot, the founding president of Peninsula Youth Theatre in Mountain View and a former producer and writer for the Kid Action television show out of Los Altos. "There are so many details, so many costumes, so many dance numbers and so much singing."

Cabot and assistant director Alex Fthenakis, 16, agree, however, that The King's Academy drama department is up for the challenge.

"It's a great play to showcase our school's talent because of the fact that it's about a big musical with a large cast. It created a large number of parts for us to fill," says Fthenakis, who also plays the lead male role in the play. "I found it a huge problem when we cast the show because there is so much talent in the drama department that no show could use it all properly."

The school's drama program, well-known in Bay Area theater circles, attracts students from as far away as Gilroy and Fremont. Several are professional actors, working in commercials and films when not participating in the numerous productions The King's Academy puts on each year. Students are taught Method acting, which encourages actors to "inhabit" and internalize their characters, making for a more natural performance.

But the drama department relies on more than just polished performers—adult volunteers are the backbone of every production. In addition to the 70 cast members of 42nd Street, more than 100 parents are actively involved.

"The volunteerism among our drama families is vast," says Cabot. "Saturday finds the actors rehearsing, singing or dancing in two or three different rooms, the mothers cutting and sewing in another room, and the construction crew and artists creating sets in our workshop in Mountain View."

Students are also encouraged to participate behind the scenes, leading many to work both on- and off-stage. Student choreographer Stephanie Paulus, who also plays the lead female role in 42nd Street, uses her lunch period once a week to help students who are struggling with their performance, and Fthenakis splits his time between performing onstage and directing the student actors. It can be a seven-day-a-week job, Cabot says. "It means no TV, no social life for the student. It takes great commitment."

"I've been amazed by what the students have accomplished," says choreography team member Katie Cabot. "They're putting a tremendous amount of time and energy into the production. I think it will be a phenomenal show."

'42nd Street' will show at 7:30 p.m. on March 28 and April 4 and 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. on March 29 and April 5. The performances will be held at the College of San Mateo, 1700 W. Hillsdale Blvd., San Mateo. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children. For tickets, call 408.481.9900, ext. 320.