Last fall, Aaron Carter left the warm, sunny weather of California to spend his days and nights in midtown Manhattan, where he’s starring in the “The Fantasticks,” billed as the world’s longest-running musical.

The 24-year-old singer assumed the lead role of Matt, a rebellious young romantic, who falls in love with Luisa, the girl next door. This isn’t Carter’s first introduction to the Great White Way: He starred in Broadway’s “Seussical” in 2001, but “The Fantasticks’” producers have pushed Carter to test his limits even further.

“They want to help me grow and become a much stronger vocal performer and actor,” the former teen heartthrob told CBSNews.com. “There’s not a day that I don’t work on vocals, have vocal coaches, go to acting classes, read books … I’m always studying my craft because I want to be the best at what I do.”

Carter’s latest off-Broadway success is a far cry from where he was a year ago. In January 2011, the Florida native checked into rehab for what his rep described as “emotional and spiritual issues.” Read full article.