Give a Girl a Break

During rehearsals, the temperamental star walks out of the Broadway revue, forcing director Ted Sturgis to consider casting an unknown for the lead. News of the shakeup hits the press, and a flood of hopefuls shows up for open auditions. The plan is to rewrite the show to fit a new star, setting a high-stakes search in motion.

Newspapers publish the show’s lead search, drawing throngs of hopefuls to the theatre. They sing and perform in the auditions, each hoping for a breakthrough. The audition process unfolds with the song 'Give a Girl a Break' signaling the competition to come.

Composer Leo Belney champions ballerina Joanna Moss, shaping the rivalry for the lead. Gofer Bob Dowdy is smitten by Suzy Doolittle, while Felix Jordan arranges for Ted's former partner Madelyn Corlane to try out. The group’s differing loyalties set up a tense contest over who should secure the part.

Joanna returns home believing she has a good chance at the part. Her husband reveals he has been offered a university head of music position, triggering a stress-filled argument before they find a way to reconcile. The news adds personal stakes to the professional race for the lead.

Suzy tells her mother she has a strong chance at the role, and her mother urges her to focus on the audition. Bob Dowdy arrives while she practices, and she goes out with him. They share a playful moment and move into a rehearsal-linked moment for 'In Our United State'.

Ted visits Madelyn Corlane and urges her to audition, arguing she still has star power. He begins 'The Challenge Dance,' and she matches him step for step. Just as they seem ready to reunite, her date arrives and interrupts the moment.

During breaks, Bob fantasizes about dancing with Suzy in a sequence set to 'Give a Girl a Break' and 'In Our United State.' Leo imagines conducting an orchestra as Joanna dances the 'Puppet Master Dance.' Ted imagines himself dancing with Madelyn to 'It Happens Ev'ry Time.' These visions hint at the cast’s deepest ambitions.

Joanna, Suzy, and Madelyn deliver strong audition performances, each showcasing their unique strengths. Leo, Felix, and Ted debate who should get the lead, weighing star potential against the show’s evolving needs. The future of the production hangs on this decision.

Bob overhears the producers discussing Suzy as a potential lead and calls her to say she has the part, triggering confusion. A heated debate follows among Felix, Leo, and Ted about who should take the lead, with the group weighing Joanna and Madelyn against Suzy. The tension peaks as loyalties shift and plans realign.

The heated discussion ends with Joanna favored for the lead, and she accepts the part. Bob phones Suzy to tell her he was mistaken about her casting, leaving her both hopeful and crushed as the reality of the selection sinks in. The cast list appears to be settling, but the final outcome remains unsettled for Suzy.

Rehearsals resume with Joanna in the lead, but she struggles and retreats to her dressing room in tears. Her husband arrives, ready to move away for a new job, and Joanna reveals she is pregnant and will leave town with him. The pregnancy injects further uncertainty into the future of the lead.

With Joanna’s pregnancy and Madelyn's possible departure looming, the team contemplates hiring Suzy as a backup lead. Madelyn has left town and cannot be reached, pressing the production to pivot quickly toward Suzy as a viable option. This turn of events heightens the urgency of the casting decision.

Because Madelyn is unavailable, the production offers the lead to Suzy. She is initially hesitant but is persuaded by the team and Bob. The path to opening night seems to hinge on Suzy stepping into the role on short notice.

The show opens and Suzy delivers a star-making performance to 'Applause, Applause,' earning audience and critical praise. The production finds its footing with Suzy in the spotlight, and the new configuration proves a hit. The cast basks in the success of the premiere.

After the curtain falls, Ted discovers Madelyn in the empty theater. She confesses that she wanted to know whether it was show business she missed or him, and it was him. They run into each other’s arms, ending the story on a note of personal reconciliation beyond the stage.