Signing up to Shortland Street: The Musical may seem like a sure thing, but for star Lisa Chappell, she wasn’t quite so certain.

The tribute to the long running show has opened in Auckland ahead of a national tour, earning rave reviews, even from the biggest sceptics and quickly earning a reputation as a must see show.

Chappell, best known for her role in McLeod’s Daughters, plays original character Nurse Carrie Burton, best known for her iconic ‘Guatemala’ line.

Chappell told Lorna Subritzky says that the show is bigger than Ben-Hur.

“I’m not a dancer, and we have 16 choreographed numbers. I was just looking at the talent around me, and I thought I’m going to drop the ball, maybe I should quietly dismiss myself.”

She says she is glad she didn’t as she is having a ball.

LISTEN TO LISA CHAPPELL TALK WITH LORNA SUBRITZKY ABOVE