Jane Martin's ANTON IN SHOW BUSINESS takes you backstage with a look into the world of theater.

The comedy follows a self-centered television actress, a jaded New Yorker and an enthusiastic ingenue who have been brought together for an ill-fated production. of Chekhov's "The Three Sisters" to be performed by San Antonio's Actors Express.

Lisabette is a third-grade teacher who has been infected by the theater bug. She recently made her acting comeback in a community theatre production of Fiddler on the Roof. She's been cast as Irina, the youngest and most optimistic sister.

Casey is a 200-show veteran who mixes affection with sarcasm. She is a veteran of off-off Broadway, having closed 200 productions without ever getting paid - is set to play Olga, the plain, older, more jaded sister.

Holly is a rich and famous TV beauty with a craving for artistic respect. Her agent convinces her that performing in a theater production of Chekhov would buy her some respect (and more film offers). She is playing the dark, passionate middle sister Masha because, as she sensitively puts it, "the most powerful person plays the best part."

Their quickly formed allegiances run deeper than their differences, carrying them from the New York audition studio, to the Texas theater, and then to a staging disaster.

The final moments mirror those of "Three Sisters" with Casey declaring, "Our life is not ended yet. We shall live!" -- but wondering what they are living for.

It just happens to be the life in show business.