Get ready for a fairy tale that will change West Seneca’s story when West Middle students present their production of Between the Lines JR beginning Jan. 22. This enchanting new musical follows Delilah, an outsider in a new school who seeks comfort in the pages of her favorite book, where she feels heard and understood by the handsome Prince Oliver. But as the lines between fantasy and reality begin to blur in both extraordinary and astonishing ways, Delilah discovers how to find her place in the real world while keeping her dreams alive.
Drew Cohen, President and CEO of Music Theatre International, stated, “Between the Lines JR offers young performers the chance to indulge a fantasy so many of us have had: that is, to engage with fictional characters from a story we love and have them literally come to life by leaping off the page. We know that audiences around the country will love this brand new show.”
Between the Lines JR is based on the novel by international bestselling author Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer and features a book co-written by Jodi Picoult and Timothy Allen McDonald (Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas) and music and lyrics by Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson (Apple TV+’s “Central Park”), in their New York theatre debuts.
Delilah is starting her junior year at a new school after her parents’ nasty divorce, and things only go downhill from there: She immediately makes an enemy of the school’s queen bee, Allie McAndrews, and struggles to make friends. She turns to a fairy tale book, Between the Lines, and is shocked when the gallant Prince Oliver speaks to her. Delilah and Prince Oliver develop a real friendship, each of them struggling in their assigned stories, and must learn to live the story they want if it’s not the story they’re in. This story will captivate realists and dreamers alike with its compelling characters, whip-smart scenes, and songs that you’ll be humming long after the curtain closes.
Timothy Allen McDonald, Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson remarked, “Between the Lines has always had a devoted fan base that connects with its mantra of creating the story you want to live in, instead of the one you’re stuck in. We are thrilled that MTI is going to be representing our work as a Broadway Junior show, and we look forward to seeing future productions that carry that message far and wide.”
The musical was adapted for student performers by educational musical theatre consultancy firm iTheatrics under the supervision of Timothy Allen McDonald.
West Seneca West Middle School will present Between the Lines JR Jan. 22-24, at 7 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee on Jan. 24 at West MIddle School’s auditorium at 395 Center Road. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at http://wswmdrama.booktix.com. For more information, please email co-directors Jessica Hunger at jh*****@********ls.org or Trevor Jelowski at tj*******@********ls.org.
Between the Lines JR is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
