Brooke Shields (Photo courtesy of Center Theatre Group)

Previews for the show began earlier this month at the Ahmanson Theatre. People have been posting their reactions to the show on the official Facebook page, and the early buzz is good. Words like “moving,” “feel-good” and “wow” predominate — but there have been complaints about sound quality and a slow-moving first act.

But the still-unanswered question on our mind is, Can Brooke Shields carry a musical?

Shields has a lot to prove with this one — especially in light of complaints that Broadway has recently been "selling out" to Hollywood. What can she offer to this role that more experienced stage performers can't?

Others fear she’ll get swallowed up by costar Esparza, a formidable talent in the Broadway world. There have been a few setbacks along the way, but the star has been hard at work to make sure she doesn't muck up her first chance to originate a role.

Will Shields be ready in time for the official opening this Sunday? She told TheaterMania.com recently that she's still trying to find her voice. We'll tell you if she's successful in our full-length review of the opening-night performance this Sunday. Stay tuned.