When it comes to casting a musical, divine intervention is often the best thing a director can hope for, especially when the show calls for a leading actor who walks, talks and sings like a famous dead person.

Rory Dale

Tim Greer stars in "Hank Williams: Lost Highway."

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Wonder of wonders, the right actor indeed showed up to audition for Circuit Playhouse's "Hank Williams: Lost Highway," a biographical musical revue of the incomparable singer-songwriter's life.

Actor Tim Greer matches all the adjectives other characters can throw at him. He's "skinny," a veritable "beanpole," and when he's all duded up in his wide-brimmed cowboy hat and Nudie suit, you can squint your eyes and almost picture Hank on the cover of a greatest hits album.

But that's just the leather on the dashboard. Greer is a true-blue country singer, his voice saturated with that lonesome, old-school Grand Ole Opry melancholy. The actor could be a 1950s-era country and Western star in his own right. Here in 2009, he teaches fine arts and English at Memphis University School.

Perhaps because the music is so heartbreaking, ably backed by fellow actors Matt Adkins on bass, Jason Labrador on fiddle, Michael Towle on lead guitar and Ed Richter on steel guitar, the plot itself is a yawner.

Those familiar with biographical musicals will find "Hank Williams: Lost Highway" to be the same formula of shows like "Always ... Patsy Cline" or "Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story." In a nutshell: young artist has talent and drive. Young artist faces personal demons/relationship issues. Young artist dies young.

Unlike other biomusicals, Williams' story is not one of accidental tragedy (he self-destructed from alcohol and drug addiction at 29). Neither does it boast a lighthearted soundtrack. Aside from a few happy tunes delivered in moments of levity, like the evergreen "Jambalaya" and "Hey, Good Lookin'," Williams rips out his heart in wayward ballads like "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" and "Lost Highway."

The script sweeps the messier parts of his later years under the rug.

Two ancillary characters are instructive, though unnecessary. A black blues singer (played by TeKay) instructs Hank on how to wring emotion out of his soul, and later serves as a spiritual guide to the drunken hillbilly. A diner waitress (Jennifer Henry) dishes out more cornpone exposition than a Nashville tour guide.

The highlights of the musical, directed by Emily Wells (who also did Playhouse's "Buddy Holly Story"), are also the best moments of Williams' life: when he puts down the flask, picks up his guitar, and sings.

'Hank Williams: Lost Highway'

The play continues through Oct. 11 at Circuit Playhouse, 1705 Poplar. Tickets are $35 adults, $20 seniors, students and military and $15 children. Call 726-4656.