Theater Review: Between The Lines Is An Off-Broadway Must-See
Between The Lines is one of the funniest, sweetest off-broadway musicals I have seen, and it came as a surprise, when you think of its marketing as a childhood fairytale come to life after a bullied teenager finds an old copy, you, immediately think this will be enjoyed only by the 10 and under. Yet, the musical felt richer, and one of those rare gems, in terms of “kid shows” that feels as much for adults as teens. Quite frankly, this show is exuberantly ageless.
Arielle Jacobs plays Delilah and absolutely captivates. Playing a bullied kid is never easy because you are playing someone at their weakest. They are at the epitome of being at others’ whims, but Jacobs and Wren Rivera’s Jules shine as strong personalities that refuse to dwindle or whimper at Allie (Aubrey Matalon) and co’s snide remarks. Rivera, in particular, is so perfect in wit and presence that Jules will become a fan-fave. They embody the desire we have to tell our bully to shove it, and they have the best one-liners thanks Timothy Allen McDonald’s writing and a magnificent set, by Tobin Out, that makes their words come to life. To be honest, everyone is hilarious, which might be the biggest plot twist.
Based off the book by Jodi Piccoult and Samantha Van Leer, the writing of this show absolutely shined, and Kate Anderson & Elyssa Samsel have written phenomenal music for a cast- filled with pristine voices. Songs like, “Inner Thoughts” and “Another Chapter” were wins thanks to the cast’s delivery and the how the verses and music danced to create a fantasy based on heart. The truth is that our imagination is a spiritual response to our reality. We dream as an escape from what we know to what we wish we did like, happier times, friendship, and a prince charming ( Jake David Smith as Prince Oliver).
Most of the cast plays double or even triple duty between their human, high-school characters and their roles in the Between The Lines fantasy book, but every actor executes their part perfectly. Will Burton as Frump, the tap-dancing dog, and Ryan (the idiot-jock) Is so good as and Vicki Lewis will have you laughing out loud as ANY CHARACTER. The was social media is used to build Matalon’s Allie or the way Smith’s Prince Oliver graces the stage via a door full of literary quotes is just plain awesome. Whether mom in a book or life or a therapist turned butterfly-obsessed villain Julia Murney and John Rapson kill. Sean Stack and Jerusha Cavazos round out the cast’s tremendous ability to transition from one character to another so seamlessly it makes this musical feel special and bound for Broadway.
At 2 hours, with a 15 minute intermission, I could watch Between The Lines on loop. It felt like one of the 90s movies such as, Matilda or The Sandlot: it is magical, warm, and memorable. These films, like this musical, feel timeless, and ones that adults enjoy as much as children because they speak to our inner child. Between The Lines does this by singing to the wonder born when you realize you are the writer of your life, and can make it the story you want.
Between the Lines is at the Tony Kiser Theater through October 2. Buy Tickets Here.
