Set in the early 1910s, the story follows two vaudeville performers, Jo Hayden and Harry Palmer. Jo is a talented singer with aspirations of making it big on the vaudeville circuit. She performs in small-time acts while dreaming of headlining a major theater. She meets Harry, a charismatic dancer and singer, who is charming but ambitious to a fault. Harry sees potential in Jo and proposes they partner up to enhance their act, aiming for the pinnacle of success: a booking at the prestigious Palace Theatre in New York City. As they begin to work together, a romantic relationship develops, fueled by their shared dreams and passion for the stage. However, their path is not smooth; Harry's ambition sometimes leads him to make questionable choices that threaten their future together.

As they continue performing, the outbreak of World War I looms over them, introducing new challenges and tensions. Harry, more focused on his career than the war, is confronted with difficult decisions as he navigates between his aspirations and the moral implications of his actions. Jo, on the other hand, finds herself torn between her love for Harry and her growing sense of duty and patriotism. The looming specter of the war and personal ambition put their relationship to the test, forcing both to reevaluate what they truly want from life. Balancing love, loyalty, and ambition amid the backdrop of an uncertain world becomes their ultimate challenge.