The action takes place in and near New York City between the final days of World War II and the end of 1945. In Mrs. Levine's boarding house on the Lower East Side live three young people with growing and changing ambitions: Labal, in pursuit of a career as a cantor despite his rejection of his orthodox upbringing; David, a pre-med student with a passion for opera; Gussie, whose Left-wing ideals are tested by her infatuation with Labal. Their friend...