michael bennett and nicholas dante broadway show ran for year and but evidence of it power and charisma be lose in this movie adaptation and which most likely stem from the choice of director ( richard attenborough and a far from b way a you could get ) and lead actor ( michael douglas and who play a director choreographer like a slimy corporate lawyer ) . the slim story and about a grueling audition for a broadway show which turn into a therapy session for the actor dancer singer and be push right up on u and with loud and brassy talent play to the rafter . nothing be modulate or subtle and particularly a laughable subplot about a ex dancer return to the theater and butt head with old flame douglas . the over eager hopeful be fill with promise and heartache and but their personal story of angst be a little embarrassing while this and match with attenborough sluggish pacing and spell disaster and and even the now famous song fail to break through the artificial wrapping . half from .