Act One

As the story begins, the group is awaiting the arrival of Lawrence Wood, a professional actor. Wood, who grew up on Harbour Island (and left as soon as he could) is visiting his hometown for the first time in twenty years. He has agreed to observe their rehearsal. Thrilled at the prospect of a real professional in their midst, each member feels — for the first time since they've been working together — that it's finally worth it ("So Many Nights").

Wood arrives, and we learn that he's in trouble, both personally and professionally. The amateurs are dazzled by his presence and blind to his problems.

Wood is interrupted by the sudden arrival of Julia, who bursts in dressed as a kind of moon-sprite and begs to be allowed to perform a song written by Homer, a young writer/composer who is also a member of the group. It's from his bizarre musical adaptation of Anton Chekov's play The Sea Gull, appropriately titled Sea Gull. Over the group's protestations, Wood asks to hear the song, an eerie ballad about a young girl who flies to the moon, only to find that she can't get back down ("Every Day Is Night").

Intrigued by the song, by Homer's loony talent and, most of all, by Julia, Wood asks to see the script and reflects on how good it feels to be a big fish in a little pond ("Somebody"). In an attempt to recover what has been missing in his life, Wood offers to direct and star in Homer's shows. The others are beside themselves with excitement, especially Marjorie, Homer's mother, who still carries a torch for Wood from their high school days.

The next morning, Julia and Homer arrive early for rehearsal. Since childhood, Homer has been unrequitedly in love with Julia. Before rehearsal, they both fantasize about how the events of the past evening might change their lives ("Coming True"). The rest of the group arrives, and, in a sequence that tracks the first weeks of rehearsal, Homer discovers what it's like to work with a real professional ("It's Only a Play").

As the final week of rehearsal approaches, Andy (Wood's brother) gives Wood a message about a call from his agent in New York. Wood claims that he's not interested, and Andy seizes the opportunity to confide in his brother about his rich fantasy life ("She's out There").

Later, in the middle of a disastrous rehearsal, Wood takes Marjorie, Hope and Stella aside and encourages them to "open up" emotionally. This results in a hilarious misunderstanding, as the ladies attempt to make sense of what she said ("Birds of Paradise").

Wood calls his agent in New York and is furious to learn that she wants him to audition for a part that he feels is beneath him. When the rehearsal reconvenes, he vents his rage on Homer, insisting that he slow down one of the numbers. Homer, equally enraged, deliberately plays it as slowly as possible, transforming it into an expression of each group member's unrequited love. As the song reaches its climax, Wood and Julia steal a clandestine kiss, unwittingly witnessed by a heartbroken Homer ("Imagining You").

Act Two

It's the night before dress rehearsal. With great conviction (and in penguin suits) Andy, Hope and Dave perform a number from Sea Gull and demonstrate how far they've come ("Penguins Must Sing"). The rehearsal continues. Wood attacks Marjorie for her lack of commitment to her character and goads her into a deeply felt rendition of "You're Mine."

Meanwhile, Homer is intent on rewriting the end of his play, determined to make it a bleak and bitter reflection of his present circumstances. After a devastating encounter with Julia, he tears up what he's written and seeks solace at the piano, remembering a song that he wrote as a child ("Things I Can't Forget"). Marjorie surprises them both by picking up the pieces, and mother and son end up — for the first time — comforting each other ("After Opening Night").

Dress rehearsal. Deep in character and loving every miserable minute, the amateurs give thanks to the man who made their lives worth living ("Chekov"). Wood enters with a crushing announcement: he has been offered the part in New York and he must leave that night. Julia runs off, believing that she is included in his plans. The group is devastated. Homer tries to convince him to stay, but Wood goes, leaving Julia behind, her illusions destroyed. Homer threatens to leave, as well, when, all at once, the group discovers the pages of his rewritten final scene. They fall in love with the surprising new twists that he has created for each of their characters. As they begin to piece the new ending together, they find a new appreciation for what they mean to each other ("Something New").