Wilkes University Theatre will present the magical musical Between the Lines at 8 p.m. on Feb. 20, 21 & 22, and 2 p.m. on Feb. 22 & 23, at the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts, 239 S. River St., Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
Between the Lines is based on the young adult novel of the same name, co-written by bestselling author Jodi Picoult and her daughter, Samantha van Leer. The stage production features music and lyrics by Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson and a book by Timothy Allen McDonald.
At the heart of the musical is the relationship between a teenage daughter and her mom. “It’s about Delilah’s struggle to fit in and heal her relationship with her mother,” says Alison Morooney, assistant professor of theatre and the production’s director/choreographer. “The story was made from a mother-daughter relationship, and that’s what’s at the center of this musical.”
As Between the Lines unfolds on stage, Delilah struggles with her parents’ divorce and a move with her mom. As she struggles to find her place in a new town and a new school, Delilah finds a friend — and maybe something more — in the adorable Oliver. The problem is, they come from two different worlds. She’s an outsider in the real world, while he’s a handsome prince from a storybook. Can the young couple find their fairy tale ending or is their budding romance nothing more than a fantasy? Audience members will need to spend some time Between the Lines to find out.
Further blurring the lines between reality and fantasy, most of the cast members inhabit characters in both worlds. “The reality characters feel closer to us, and the fantasy characters are larger than life and kind of ridiculous” says Morooney. “It’s been really fun for our students to have two very different people to embody. It’s a fun way to play.”
The cast members aren’t the only ones doing double duty. The tech team, which includes student designers, has been tasked with depicting two fully realized worlds on stage. “I think this is technically the most complicated show of the year,” says Morooney. The team relies on scenic design, quick costume changes and projections to move between the modern world and storybook pages.
Since the cast also works on the technical side of the production, those on stage and behind the scenes have risen to the challenge. “They have a real sense of ownership over what’s been difficult about the technical challenges that this show offers us,” says Morooney. “They are incredibly patient and incredibly driven to help make it work. Because they are involved in all of it, our students understand deeply the collaborative effort that it takes to get something like this up.”
The cast features Sarah Pugliese (Delilah McPhee), Antonio Torres (Prince Oliver/Edgar), Maddie Meier (Grace McPhee/Queen Maureen), Cally Williams (Jules/Ondine), Kasey Karoll (Allie McAndrews/Princess Seraphima), Gabbi Howe (Mrs. Winx/Kyrie/Jessamyn Jacobs), Rocco Pugliese (Ryan/Frump), Caleb Flannery (Dr. Ducharme/Rapskullio), Isabella Mendez (Janice/Marina), Anthony Kehs (Martin/Troll) and Carolynn Jewell (Mrs. Brown/Lady in Waiting/additional roles).
The production team includes Joshua Harper, assistant professor of music (musical director), Vandy Scoates, assistant professor of theatre (scenic and lighting designer), Lisa Liebetrau (costume designer), Lee Michaels (technical director and sound designer), Caleb Gething (assistant production designer), Spencer Shotto (assistant technical director), Evan Cole (assistant lighting designer), Ryan Starr (assistant scenic designer), Noah Dixon (production stage manager), Charley Cain (assistant stage manager), Sammie Gashi (assistant stage manager) and Jesse Lawson (assistant stage manager).
Between the Lines features a combination of musical sounds, dance styles and an enchanting story about searching for a place in the world. “All anybody really needs is to feel like they belong somewhere. And at the heart, that’s really what every character is after. Even the high school bully just wants to feel valued and feel like they belong, says Morooney. Now, the only thing the show is searching for is an audience. “Be together in a theatre for two and half hours and have some joy.”
Audience members are invited to help others discover the magic by donating a new or gently used book at any performance of Between the Lines. Book donations will go to the Osterhout Free Library.
Between the Lines
8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20
8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21
2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22
8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22
2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23
Tickets are available online at wilkes.edu/theatre. Cost is $20 for general admission, $15 for non-Wilkes students/senior citizens and free for Wilkes students, faculty and staff. The box office will open one hour before curtain for purchases in person.
Wilkes University Theatre will close the 2024-25 season with William Shakespeare’s As You Like It, running April 10-13.
