Brooklyn searches for success at Fox Theater

Once upon a time in a land far, far away-Brooklyn, N.Y. that is-a star was born. Of course, I am referring to Brooklyn the Musical, featuring Atlanta's own American Idol first runner-up, Diana DeGarmo.

DeGarmo and her soulful cronies, Julie Reiber and Lee Morgan, as well as Tony Award winners Melba Moore and Cleavant Derricks, make the Fabulous Fox Theatre shine with this gem of a musical.

The premise of Brooklyn the Musical revolves around this clan of street urchins turned singers and poets setting the stage for a new-age fairytale in New York City.

The story follows a young orphan girl, rightfully named Brooklyn, in search of a father she has never met. On the way, she earnestly searches to find fame in the city bearing her name. With only her voice to guide her, Brooklyn unlocks the door to her past and discovers what she always wanted to find.

Stylistically, this musical feels like a conglomeration of elements from Annie and Rent, with American Idol-esque new-age pop and soul beats thrown in for good measure.

The props, stage changes and minor actors have a minimal presence, which allows raw talent to really shine. With a cast featuring amazing vocal talents and wide octave ranges, Brooklyn the Musical genuinely captures the city vibe.

Although DeGarmo (Brooklyn) is a relative newcomer to the Broadway scene, she can without a doubt hold her own within a group of Broadway veterans.

She possesses an amazing set of pipes and can belt out a note with amazing ease. This is definitely not the last we will be hearing from Miss DeGarmo, whether in stage productions or in the music industry.

Brooklyn the Musical is the product of musical genius. The story of how this particular musical came to be is a fairytale in and of itself.

Creators Mark Schoenfeld and Barri McPherson collaborated to write a book, music and lyrics that in a way mimicked their own personal lives. Schoenfeld and McPherson first met in the early '80s when Schoenfeld heard McPherson sing at a cabaret and hired her to record some of his music.

They parted ways and would not meet again for another decade. One day in New York, McPherson happened upon a street corner in Brooklyn, intrigued by a familiar voice. She found a homeless Schoenfeld getting by on $40 a day as a street performer.

She then invited him back to her home in Massachusetts where they began the creative process of producing Brooklyn the Musical. After that fateful meeting, Brooklyn the Musical opened on Broadway in September of 2004 and has since run for over 300 performances in New York alone. However, he show has found success all across America.

This summer the show has already gone on tour from St. Paul, Minn. to Hartford, Conn. After this weekend's showing in Atlanta, the tour will move from Houston and Dallas, Texas up through San Jose, Calif.

If you do anything this weekend that involves getting off your butt, go see Brooklyn the Musical.

The Fox Theater will be running this production until Sun. July 16 with show times at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday night, 7:30 p.m. on Sunday night and two matinee showings at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

For more information go to www.foxtheater.org. To purchase tickets go to www.ticketmaster.com.