My Life: The Musical (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up—Wood uses musical theater as a framework for a larger theme: the rich fantasy life of teens. She explores the difference between reality and fantasy as Phillip and Emily become consumed with a smash hit, Aurora, and try to solve the industry secret of who wrote it. The teens make their way from Long Island to Broadway each weekend to see the show. Phillip comes from a poor background with a shady big brother and a mostly absent single mother. He has found solace in watching Aurora with Emily and with keeping a log of statistics on the show. Emily, whose quirky grandmother pays for the tickets each week, is so immersed in the life of Aurora and its surrounding Web sites that she is unable to think of anything else. In desperation, after discovering that the show will be closing, she lies to her parents as to her whereabouts and steals money from her grandmother so that she and Philllip can attend every one of the remaining performances. Upon being found out, Emily is sent to have spiritual counseling. She explains the allure of the show to Rabbi Levin and he tells her, "It's what we do, who we are right now that defines us. Not our memories, not our fantasies—but this moment, now." Emily, Phillip, Grandma Rose, and the author of Aurora all discover that the actions they perform in their everyday lives are what are truly important. Teens will enjoy the fast pace and humor in this uplifting novel.—Terrilyn Fleming, Colby Public Schools, KS
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Product Description

To best friends and devoted theater fans Emily and Philip, Aurora is no ordinary Broadway musical. Their love for the hit show (whose reclusive author has never been named) is nothing short of an obsession. Thanks to a secret loan from Emily’s grandma Rose, seeing the Saturday matinee has become a weekly ritual that makes real life seem dull and drab by comparison.
But when the theater chat rooms start buzzing with crazy rumors that Aurora might close, Emily and Philip find themselves grappling with some truly show-stopping questions. What, exactly, is the “one sure thing” in show business? How will they pay back the money they owe Grandma Rose? And why hasn’t Philip asked Emily out on a real date? As they go to hilarious lengths to indulge their passion for Aurora, Emily and Philip must face the fact that all shows close sooner or later. But first they’ll put their friendship to the ultimate test, solve Broadway’s biggest mystery–and spend one unforgettable night at the theater.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (March 11, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385732783
• ISBN-13: 978-0385732789
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #441,767 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone sing along!, May 19, 2008

By	T. Fleming "piggydiva" (Western Kansas, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

My Life as a Musical by Maryrose Wood would make any teen sing out in joy! The novel is written so that each chapter title is a song from a well-known musical (the name of the musical, date it was published, and who wrote the music, lyrics and book are all presented within the chapter title as well). Organizing the plot by song title is clever not only because of the plot twists within each chapter, but because it is a device employed within each chapter by Emily and Phillip, the two main characters, as an ongoing test of their music theatre knowledge.

Teens need not be well versed (or even necessarily interested) in musical theatre in order to understand or appreciate the novel. Wood has only used musical theatre as a framework for the larger theme: the rich fantasy life of teens. Wood explores the difference between reality and fantasy for teens as her protagonists try to solve the mystery of who wrote the smash musical Aurora.

Phillip and Emily make their way to the city each weekend to watch Aurora. They are fixtures among the fanatics of the show (some of whom dress up a la Rocky Horror style) who queue in line for tickets that are released the day of the show. Phillip comes from a poor background with a cruel big brother and a mostly absentee single mother. He has found solace in watching Aurora weekly with his best friend Emily and with keeping a log of statistics on Aurora. Emily, whose quirky grandmother pays for the two teens' tickets each week, is so immersed in the fantasy life of Aurora and its surrounding websites and other fans, that she is unable to think of anything else.

In desperation, after discovering Aurora will be closing in only one week, Emily lies to her parents as to her nightly whereabouts and steals money from her grandmother in order to purchase tickets for each of Aurora's performances over the next week. Upon being found out, Emily's mother insists she have spiritual counseling with Rabbi Levin. Emily explains to Rabbi the allure of Aurora--that even though Emily sees herself as "a unique and spectacular individual, destined for a life of joy and achievement. . ." that by being part of the weekly Aurora audience "she was also an inextricable and beloved part of something much, much larger than herself" (195). Instead of chastising her, Rabbi Levin tells her, "It taught you that life is ephemeral--the moments happen and are gone, and we have to cherish each one as it passes . . . . It's what we do, who we are right now that defines us. Not our memories, not our fantasies--but this moment, now" (196). Emily, Phillip, Emily's grandmother, and the author of Aurora, all discover that actions they perform in the everyday living of life are what are truly important.

Junior and senior high students (as well as adults) would enjoy the fast pace and humor of this wonderfully uplifting novel.

4.0 out of 5 stars The Music of Their Lives, March 11, 2008

By	Little Willow (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

It is fair to say Emily and Philip are obsessed with Aurora, a fictional musical that they see every weekend. They first met and bonded at a performance, making the show almost an invisible friend that helps tie them together. A few years later, the rumor mill grinds and sprinkles the teens with worry that their beloved show is about to close. Determined to find out if the rumors are true and finally uncover the identity of its mysterious writer, Emily and Philip accidentally find out some things about each other and about themselves which could unexpectedly test their friendship.

As a musical theatre performer who has yet to appear on Broadway myself, much less take in a show there, this book allowed me to live vicariously through the characters of Emily and Philip. Inspired in part by the author's own work as a lyricist, librettist, and performer, the story will speak to musical actors and aficionados as well as those bright-eyed city dwellers who appreciate the music and theatres that surround them. If only this book came with a soundtrack!

0 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars my life: the musical, November 1, 2008

By	A Customer - See all my reviews

i really enjoyed this perview of the book. it is also very up to date and i cant wait to purchase this book and read it.