As a child, Sharriese Hamilton played a lost boy in her seventh-grade production of "Peter Pan." She didn't stop there, instead, having made her way through MSU's theater program playing lead roles. Now, the 2006 graduate will make her professional debut in the musical revue "The All Night Strut!"

The show, which will be featured at BoarsHead Theater, 425 S. Grand Ave. in Lansing, is a revue of 1930s and '40s swing music.

"This show is different than anything I've ever done," Hamilton said. "(The music) is from the '30s and '40s — I've never been in a musical or show that just captures life as what it was back then."

Hamilton said her love for theater began when she could talk, but one of her favorite theatrical experiences was the production of "Schoolhouse Rock Live!" at MSU in 2005.

"It was such an ensemble kind of thing. Everyone was working together, and it was just so much fun," she said. "This was the essence of why I love being in theater — just performing, and you get to create all these characters. I got to be on stage with some of my best friends."

Lance Roberts, director and choreographer of "The All Night Strut!" has produced and directed the show numerous times, but said this production is one of the best.

"I think this has the best-sounding quartet, even compared to the ones that I've been in," he said.

Roberts, who took time off from his role as Jafar in "Disney's Aladdin — A Musical Spectacular" at Disney's California Adventure Park to work on this production, said there's something great about working with those — like Hamilton — who have studied theater.

"She's amazing," he said. "I don't know how old she is, but this is her first professional theatrical production … I can give her an image, and bam! She becomes it."

Although the cast still has about a week to finish rehearsing, Hamilton said she feels nervous about the show.

"At first I was really scared because I'm doing the alto part, and I usually sing soprano," she said. "When I first started, I was looking at some of the stuff, and I was like, 'Oh my god, this is so low — I'm the weakest link.'"

Hamilton said she enjoys working with the rest of the cast members, including baritone Ivan Griffin, tenor Jason Richards and soprano Jennifer Joan Joy.

"I feel really good about it," Hamilton said. "The dance moves are fun and manageable, and they came a lot better than I thought they were going to come.

"I thought it'd be a lot harder because they told me (the production) would be aerobic. I get along with everyone, and it's really another one of those team efforts. I feel like everyone is so into it."

Last fall, Hamilton had the lead role as Queen in "The Life," through the MSU Department of Theatre. Her sister, Shantel Hamilton, joined her in the production, but both said there has never been a rivalry for the theatrical spotlight.

"There's no competition," Shantel Hamilton said. "We always assumed Sharriese was better than me."

Sharriese Hamilton said her family and friends are always there to support her, and they are looking forward to the show.

"I think she's really good and doesn't give herself enough credit," Shantel Hamilton said. "I'm absolutely sure she'll do well in her future."

Rob Roznowski, assistant theatre professor at MSU, agreed.

"She is one of the most talented, dedicated and humble actors to have passed through MSU," Roznowski said in an e-mail. "She is that rare performer known as a triple threat who can sing, dance and act with equal ability. Her work is always marked with sincerity and vulnerability."

"The All Night Strut!" opens Next Wednesday at BoarsHead Theater. For tickets call (517)484-7805.