Act 2

November 15, 2015
Things go so badly awry at rehearsals for the Shaker Heights Middle School production of Guys and Dolls that Jack and Louisa, the school's "resident theater nerds" and the stars of the musical, wonder if the show will go up. After an overlong, dullish trip to New York City, the anticipation begins to build when Jack Goodrich and Louisa Benning audition for their school's upcoming production of Guys and Dolls. They're particularly excited because Belinda Grier, a real Broadway actress, has taken over as the director. But Belinda is not happy when she learns that Jack is a professional actor who has also appeared on Broadway. When Jack, in a clever scene, successfully teaches a group of soccer players some tricky choreography by comparing the dance steps to soccer moves, jealousy rears its ugly head. Soon Belinda, in the guise of pushing Jack to reach his full potential, is giving the seventh-grade boy a hard time during rehearsals. Louisa, who's getting nothing but praise, is initially oblivious to Jack's situation, but once she tunes in, she takes a courageous stance to help. Even though Belinda's jealousy and complete turnaround are psychologically improbable, the story works and the resolution is suspenseful and uplifting. Giving this story its lift is its profound and infectious love of musical theater. Budding thespians will applaud. (Fiction. 10-14)

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December 1, 2015

Gr 4-7-Best friends and fellow Musical Theater Nerds (MTNs) Jack and Louisa are anxiously awaiting auditions for their middle school musical, Guys and Dolls. The dramatic duo, fresh off their successful performance in the community theater production of Into the Woods, hope to land the comedic leads. Lou is convinced that Jack, a refugee from New York City who appeared in Broadway shows until his voice started to change, is a shoo-in for the role of Nathan. However, Jack's theater resume may work against him when a new director with Broadway credentials of her own takes over the play. How many stars can one school play sustain? This second entry in the series brings back the duel voices of Jack (sweet and sensitive) and Louisa (emotional and quick-tempered) in alternating chapters. The characters are more fully developed in this book, as the two friends weather the highs and lows of theater and middle school. Jack struggles with his emotions after unexpectedly meeting the young boy who replaced him in his last Broadway show, while Lou falls under the spell of their new director. Starstruck, Lou fails to notice that the director systematically belittles and bullies Jack. When Lou finally realizes what is happening, her reaction is impulsive, passionate, and pure Lou. Although reading the first book in the series would provide background, this entry works well as a standalone. One does not have to be an MTN to enjoy this title. VERDICT An entertaining look at middle school dynamics, jealousy, and bullying.-Nancy Nadig, Penn Manor School District, Lancaster, PA

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