My Life: The Musical

by Maryrose Wood

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.

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Teen, Music

240 pages, Hardcover

First published March 11, 2008

About the author

Sending big hugs and loveawoo to all.

I'm so pleased to introduce you to my new book: Alice's Farm, A Rabbit’s Tale. In stores on September 1st; available for preorder now.

Alice is an eastern cottontail. Genus sylvagia, species floridanus. About three pounds full grown, if she makes it that far.

Life at the bottom of the food chain is no picnic! But that doesn’t worry Alice much. She's too busy doing all she can to save her beautiful farmland home—not just for herself, but for all the creatures of the valley between the hills.

Yup, all of ’em! Even that new family of farmers who just moved into the big red
house across the meadow. They don’t know much about farming, being from
the city. They mean well. But they’re easy pickins for the local apex predator (he's a real estate developer, in case you couldn't tell).

But Alice has a plan to help.

Rabbits helping farmers? That’s awfully unusual, isn’t it? Well, you're right
about that, young’un!

Let’s put it this way: Alice is no ordinary rabbit.

With loveawoo,
Maryrose

p.s. — If you could use a little extra pluck and optimism right now, please help yourself to THE SWANBURNE ACADEMY GUIDE TO SHELTERING IN PLACE.

You can download it right here:

www.swanburneacademy.com/freeguide

Reviews

[Sesana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emily and Phillip have been to see their favorite musical, Aurora (fictional), over a hundred times, borrowing money from Emily's Grandma Rose every weekend so they can stand in line to get the rush tickets. And then they find out that their show is closing.

For the most part, I get these kids. The entire Aurora fanbase seems to be based on the RENTheads, and reminds me guiltily of my own Scarlet Pimpernel days. (Don't judge me.) If I lived in the NYC area, I would totally be on that rush line at least twice a month. But I just can't get borrowing something like $5000 out of your college fund to do so. But I totally buy that there are teenagers who would happily do that, especially with Emily's grandmother encouraging them. (You have to see your show when it's open, she tells her, and the musical fan in me nods in agreement even while the rest of me is yelling, "BUT WHAT ABOUT COLLEGE?!")

But. For all of their love of musicals, Phillip and Emily are bizarrely naive about the business aspect of Broadway. Emily (who is sixteen, mind) has to have it explained to her that there's no possible way that a Broadway show could be free to all and still, you know, run. And even after that explanation, she still needs to spend some serious thought and do some quick math before it really sinks in. You would think that somebody who is proud of knowing the exact budget of her show ($6.5 million to open, fairly modest for a big show) and knows some professional actors would have realized the money had to come from somewhere. Phillip, supposedly a numbers guy who reads the trade papers religiously, is equally clueless about what producers actually do. They're clueless to advance the plot, not because it makes sense for them to be. The big producer that shows up is impossible to accept as a successful producer of profitable shows, (his ideas sound like something from The Producers) but since the author has Broadway experience I took him as the author venting.

Will any of that bother people who aren't Broadway fans? Maybe not. But nobody who isn't a fan of musical theater would read this anyway. I wouldn't have liked it as well as I did if I didn't identify, in some ways, with Emily and Phillip. If you aren't, you'll be bothered by the thin plot, the way the characters never really develop and grow, and all those theater references. I was, too, a little, but not enough for me to dislike a book written for my kind of theater geek, the ones in the audience.

[Morgan Myers · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was attracted to this book since I enjoy musicals, but I didn't enjoy it as much as expected. Emily and Philip have been traveling into the city for the past few years just to see their favorite musical, Aurora. When the show is about to be canceled, Emily is desperate to save it, and will go to any lenghts to do so. However, the book fell short of my expectations.

I thought that the theater aspect of the plot was different, and clever. It did seem like Wood tried to include a romance just to attract YA readers- this was a problem in other books I've read before, when the author tries to include romance that doesn't make sense just for the sake of including it. Thïs is one of those times. It's like, "Hey, Philip, do you think we're ready for a relationship?" "No, not yet." Cue a different topic. The romance that never happened was awkward and didn't fit with the plot at all- nothing from the story would have been lost. Which brings me to my next point: Wood tried too hard to make Philip comform to a standard of a gay theater geek when he didn't really seem that way. Heads up, Wood: not all theater lovers are gay. While not homophobic, the assumptions made about his character are cliche and fairly rude. Finally, it seemed like Wood tried to add too many subplots which were confusing to keep track of, especially near the end when everything came together.

Again, I enjoyed the theater aspect, including the references to shows, and especially the bio-style epilogue at the end. However, the novel falls short in many important areas, and I feel that Wood could improve as a storyteller. A decent effort, and maybe worth a read for a theater lover, but nothing stellar here I'm afraid.

[Laurie]

Adorable story of two teens from Rockville Centre obsessed with a Broadway musical. I enjoyed Emily's arguments with her English teacher, who wants her to branch out and write essays about anything other than Aurora, the musical.

The cover is unfortunate. I think some kids will enjoy it, and it hits right about 7th-9th grade, but the cover looks babyish.

[Scott T · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book forever changed my brain chemistry. i wish i was joking. like genuinely i think about it every so often and i HAVE to read it. this is neutral btw. like i enjoy the visual in my head and the straight CHAOS the "plot" throws at you is honestly so funny like. oh you wanted a book about some kids going to see a musical or something? WRONG. here, take a side plot about one of the main characters' sexuality. oh and another one about a grandma having her BLIND BOYFRIEND DRIVE A GETAWAY CAR. oh and ALSO the other main character has a spiritual awakening about how seeing this musical is a religious experience because her parents took her to see their rabbi. all while balancing the delicate act of going to school and being teens in 2008? wowie zowie. a fun read if you abandon most logic and care more about "heehee funny characters do stuff" than plot then i highly recommend. if youre looking for narrative structure, then youre in the wrong spot. just kinda wish the hard copy had a synopsis so i knew what i was getting into. i loved it after i got used to it personally but in like a "wow you could be so great but you make no sense" kinda way. like if twilight could be redeemed (in my eyes, since of course, subjectivity). sorry this is rambley i just needed to say something about this book its been rotating in my mind for at least 3 months.

AND OHHHH MY GOD THE ROMANCE PLOT. MY ONE TRUE GRIEVANCE THROUGH AN D THROUGH THAT SHOULD NOT EXIST (in my humble opinion). IT WAS SO FORCED!!! like they were SOOOO GOOD AS FRIENDS!!! EMILY AND PHILIP FRIENDSHIP MY BELOVED!!!!! AND THE ENDING??? DONT EVEN GET ME STARTED. LITERALLY HALF THE MISCOMMUNICATION COULDVE BEEN AVOIDED IF THEY TALKED IT OUT!!!!!! OR BETTER YET!!!!!!!!! THERE WAS NO ROMANCE PLOT!!!!!!!!!!! sorry i am very passionate about romances in. books they annoy me so much like LET CHARACTERS BE FRIENDS!!! and the philip sexuality narrative? please. that boy is bisexual no matter how hard the book tries to make him swing one way or the other. but yeeeeaahhhh so that's my incredibly disjointed (and unprofessional) review of My Life, the Musical by Maryrose Wood and im so mad my local library gave it to another branch how could they do that to me. thank you if you read my review! have a good rest of your day! ^_^

[Annie Roberts · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not going to sugarcoat it: this book is absolutely terrible.
Sure, it does have its good points. I love how there were Broadway songs as each chapter header, plus some Broadway trivia and a little insight on producing. In addition, there's at least one character I liked.
However, these highlights are weighed down by how horridly dull it is. I couldn't get attached to either of the perspective characters because their personalities felt shallow, empty, and painfully stereotypical (especially in the ways the book deals with the characters' sexualities). The conflict bored me until the end, and I didn't care what happened to the characters.
Another huge complaint is that none of the events feel connected. I feel like the author wrote the first few chapters of the book, abandoned it for a year, went back to it with no idea what their idea was and finished it anyway. Each event feels shoehorned in and disconnected from one another, as if there are seven different plotlines going on that are supposed to mix, but don't.
Overall, I did not enjoy My Life: The Musical. It'd be hard for me to recommend this to anyone, but if you want a quick read with some fun musical theatre trivia, go ahead and read it. However, if you are not looking for something like that, then I cannot recommend this book to you.

[Maria Pia · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Life The Musical is a very informative and the perfect book for theater fans. Emily and Philip are best friends who both have an obsession with the hit show "Aurora" and after finding out that it will close they start to dig into the reality that is the broadway community. Emily has a loan from Grandma Rose they both go to see all of the remaining shows. But in the process Emily falls in love with Philip and wonders if he loves her too. They putt their heads together to solve one of broadways biggest mysteries about who is the writer on the show "Aurora".
Even though I am not a huge theater fan I still enjoyed reading this book and spend my mind to a different source of entretainment and have started to dig into some musicals. I would totally reread this book because it is so breezy that is hard to get bored of it. I would recommend this book to a friend and any musical theater enthusiast.I give this book a 4 out of five because even though this book is very varied book it I believe that if you didn't know anything about broadway and musical theater you wouldn't enjoy or understand this book really.

[Sharon Falduto]

Juvenile fiction that I grabbed in the library because it was colorful, and I'm glad I did. I liked the story and the concept of the story--a couple of dedicated teenage theater goers attend the showing of their favorite musical, "Aurora," buying rush tickets every Saturday. Deals with your usual teenage angsty stuff, with a little bit of added "might I be gay?" It's quite a New York story, really; it's not like teenagers from Iowa have the same opportunity to take the train to Broadway every week, but this book can be kind of like watching the Tony awards for us midwesterners.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I brought this book home from the library a few weeks ago, it was my initial flip-through book. I was willing to cheat on whatever I was reading at the time to read Maryrose Wood's acknowledgments, the first chapter, and the clever cast list at the end. And to wry-smile at the showtune references that appear at the beginning of each chapter.

Now that I've actually read the whole book, though, I think I could have stopped at just my initial flip-through and not missed very much. The main plot, concerning protagonists Emily and Philip's despair and unanswered questions at "their" show Aurora being closed, wasn't compelling or dense enough to fill the whole novel, so the reader gets shuttled around from one messy subplot to another -- everything from sexual identity and religious epiphany to fake IDs and runaway grandparents in Winnebagos. Yep.

The show references, and Philip's heaps of Broadway trivia, were fun and clever. But. For a kid who reads Variety every week, and spends loads of time on Broadway message boards, you'd think he (or Emily) would know a little about the basics of Broadway-related financial matters. Like, that shows need money to stay open? Or that producers and investors have a lot of power? There were hints in the beginning that the protagonists knew about this -- but toward the middle and end, when these sort of facts became crucial, the characters were suddenly ignorant as to all Broadway financial matters.

I guess the overall effect of the book was akin to watching old Friends episodes on TBS -- enjoyable while they last, but not something I'll think much about when they're over.

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Lauren Ashley for TeensReadToo.com

Emily and Phillip's relationship began because of one play: Aurora. Emily was at the theatre enjoying tickets she had received for her Bat Mitzvah, while Phillip was there alone to escape the family he felt he could no longer turn to.

From then on, the two became inseparable, the best of friends. The thing that continued to tie them together and give them joy in their lives was still the play that brought them together. However, rumors are starting to go around, first from their friend, Ian, and then from others, that the show might be closing.

How could this be? Aurora was something that they saw every Saturday. It was a huge part of their life. How could it be closing? And if it was true, then they wanted to see every single show until the end!

The only thing is: they need the money and a lot more then what they had been borrowing from Emily's grandmother. But Grandma Rose has her own secrets and needs the money for herself, as well. What are two theatre nuts to do?

This was a great story for anyone interested in young adult literature, but most especially for any fan of the theatre! The book started off a bit slow for me, but it soon became quite appealing!

Phillip and Emily's love for the play comes across exceptionally well and made me think about my own favorite play, Rent, coming off of Broadway. One thing I really loved about the book is that each chapter is named after a song from various musicals - and it always somehow ties into the chapter!

If you're looking for a book that combines the theatre, friendship, and the passion of being a fan, then this is the book for you!

[Taunalee Clark · Rating 1 out of 5]

Every saturday for three years, Emily and Philip have been catching the train to New York City to see "Aurora," a musical they have been completely obsessed with since its premiere. When rumors begin to circulate about the show closing, life for the two seems to collapse around them.

This book is GARBAGE. The writing is average, and the storyline is about as shallow as they come. The only good thing about this book is some of the interesting trivia about Broadway productions over the years, but it is presented by an over-eager, OCD level broadway fanatic. The only thing this book accomplishes is to make unhealthy levels of obsession and stalking seem okay. The major conflicts include a suspenseful saga of deciding what to write a persuasive essay on, the morality of secretly spending $5000 of your college funds to see the same show hundreds of times,and a character trying to decide whether or not he is gay (a question which is NEVER answered, by the way). It's a completely unrealistic story in which stalking helps you make friends with huge stars. I wouldn't recommend this book to my worst enemy. It's not worth the time.

[Brett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew some kids in high school who would have read this book & immediately killed to live it. They were mostly in drama club, & I imagine most high school drama kids would feel the same way. I have to admit that the vast majority of the story was a little lost on me, as I don't feel particularly strongly about musical theater, & that seems like a prerequisite. Still, there's some meat in there even for someone who isn't interested in that: the two protagonists of the story, Emily & her best friend Philip, are a couple of kids who feel the need to fit in somewhere, to find something deep & profound that is missing from their everyday lives - & that is a very universal feeling among teens. Emily & Philip find that profound sense of meaning in a Broadway musical. Eventually, they come to realize that they need to find it in their own lives, & they do start the process. Fans of Wood's first book, "Sex Kittens & Horn Dawgs Fall in Love," will enjoy this. Fans of the "Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place" series will be amazed at how different this one is.

[Abby Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emily and Phil are completely, utterly, head-over-heels obsessed with the musical Aurora. Ever since the first time they saw it (at the same preview performance; it was destiny for them to become best friends), they fell in love with the music and characters and quirky costumes. Funded by Emily's grandmother, they sneak into the city every Saturday to get rush tickets for the matinée. But vicious rumors are circling that Aurora might be closing for good... What will Emily and Phil do without their favorite musical? And can they do anything (ANYTHING at ALL) to save it??

This fun, light book has a tinge of serious and a sprinkling of weird, but it's a good choice for theater buffs. One of my favorite things is that each chapter's title is a song from a different musical. I'd hand it to theatrical teens and tweens, although I liked E. Lockhart's Dramarama better.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty quick and enjoyable read. It made me realize that I don't know much about musicals and that I am truly a wanna-be when it comes to drama and the arts. I liked that the author named each chapter after a song in a musical, and gave the musical, year and listed the person(s) who wrote the musical, lyrics, and book. Some were triple threats (wrote all three), but most were not. I also liked that the somewhere in the chapter, the song (or mention of it) popped up but it didn't seem forced. The main characters of Emily and Philip seemed very plausible as being Aurora die-hards, and that their life revolved mainly around the musical. I also enjoyed that their real life was somewhat just as wacky as a musical would be, despite not breaking out into song occasionally.

[CLM · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this story about two Long Island teens obsessed with a Broadway musical to be original, clever and charming. The one caveat, which the author is aware of, is that it's extremely unlikely any such attractive, smart, high school boy would be so knowledgeable and enthusiastic about musicals unless he were gay (not that there's anything wrong with that, of course, and as I think back to high school I realize all those theater guys came out of the closet the minute they got away from their parents and were safely in college).

Anyone who likes the NY Broadway scene or YA will greatly enjoy this book. 4 1/2 stars.

[laaaaames · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh man, I wanted to like this book so much. I fully agree with Meg's review that it's not necessarily fair to judge this book against what I wanted from it, but I also feel like what it sets up doesn't come to fruition. So maybe I can?

There are uncomfortable details here that spark uncomfortable memories. There's the flooding back of a meal at the Edison crammed in between a matinee and an evening performance. There's the crappy-ass rush seats! There are those jerks who love your show too BUT FOR ENTIRELY THE WRONG REASONS.

I just wanted more, and I wanted better. Alas.

[Anna Francesca · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a musical theater buff, this book is for you. Otherwise, the characters, other than Emily and Philip, are too over-the-top and melodramatic to be endearing. They tend to read more as humorous, but two-dimensional and unchanging. However, the two main characters' idealism and struggle for self-awareness are relatable. Overall, the obscure Broadway references make this a fun read, but it does best suit a very particular audience.

[Raegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book; it was clever and funny. I especially enjoyed the chat rooms with Emily, Philip, and SAVEMEFROMAURORA-- and that SAVEMEFROMAURORA actually wrote the musical Aurora. However, a lot of things confused me and I had to think back to piece together what was going on. Also, I didn't like Philip's confession that he might be gay. Nothing early in the book indicated that he was gay; all signs pointed to something going on between him and Emily. Overall, though, I liked the book.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up just by chance while looking for another book. For anyone who likes musicals, this is a fun, quick and easy read exploring two kids becoming of age story. Music has the power to heal and to make us feel emotions and I really liked how this book portrays this power and its influence.

Loved all the references to different musicals. The author reminded me that "Any Dream will Do." :)

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book! It is a little too old for the competition group I was reading it as a potential book for, but liked it well enough to finish reading it well past the point I ruled it out for that. Anyone who likes theater particularly musical theater and/or the show "Glee" will find this a delightful romp.

[Lynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emily & Phil are students who love the musical "Aurora." They see it constantly spending Emily's grandmother money. It becomes a mystery as to who is criticizing it & who wrote it. The play closes eventually.
It was an interesting book because each chapter is titled with different real musicals and the story is interspersed with musical facts. But other than that is was good but not great.

[Caitlín K]

Put it down, at least for now. The characters just weren't interesting enough, the plot didn't seem to be going anywhere, and their obsessions with musicals (especially Aurora) was a bit bizarre. (I did get farther than 20 pages, I just didn't update my status.)

[Kea · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I enjoyed about this book is that it really represents really well up the feeling of being comepletely and madly obsessed with something, which you don't really see a lot. And as someone who obsessed about everything, it was refreshing.

[Tweller83 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book about a young girl and her friend that get caught up watching teh matinee of a musical every week, getting her in debt and in trouble once the show starts to close. The young man questions his sexual orientation.

[Cathy Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a BIG fan of musicals. Huge, really. And a fan of Maryrose Wood. So I was ridiculously excited to read this book. For the most past, it didn't disappoint. I liked the voice, and the story-I was even okay with the two kids sneaking into NY to see the same musical every week. Funny and poignant.

[Blesie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I say this book,, is perfect for me!! I too am obsessed about theatre :) It makes me feel like living in another world just by reading it.. especially in real life, watching theatre plays makes me so happy. I love the book when it comes to all different kinds of musicals..

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book because it showed you an accurate description of the broadway world. It was a little odd that these characters were sooo obsessed with one show, but I get it. I have the same obsession with things.

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book several years ago and I still remember everything about it!
I have been Emily and Phillip several times throughout my life and anyone who loves seeing musicals and is familliar with Broadway shows and ticketing will LOVE this book.

[Trevonne Sneed]

It was awful it talked about sexism and i'm very uncomfortable with that! However, the book itself started out great, it talked about two kids and their love for theater. Despite the sex, this broadway musical was the best non-cartoonical best I had in my life

[Rachel]

Released March 11, 2008

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun friendship story that really appealed to my inner theatre nerd.