Between the Lines
Live the story you want, even if it’s not the story you’re in.
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Show Essentials
10
Roles
+ Ensemble
M
Rated
2
Acts

Full Synopsis

Act One

Delilah McPhee, 17, is weird - everyone says so. Her parents have divorced, her dad has a new family, her mom works around the clock to make ends meet and Delilah is a social outcast at her new school after accidentally injuring Allie McAndrews, the most popular girl in her grade. Delilah chooses to lose herself in books - obsessing over one story in particular, Between the Lines, a children's fairytale. ("Another Chapter"), There's a handsome (well, okay, incredibly handsome) prince, and a castle, and an evil villain, but if anyone knew how often she climbs onto the roof outside her bedroom window to reread the book (especially her cooler than cool classmates) she'd be sent to social Siberia . . . eternally. Then one day the word Help appears on the page before Delilah's eyes…and disappears before she cracks open the book again.

Disappointed, Delilah confides in Prince Oliver, the book's main character - wishing that he were real. To her shock, Prince Oliver responds. ("Between The Lines"). As it turns out, he wants out of his story just as much as Delilah wants out of hers. He wrote the word Help, hoping she would see. He's tried to communicate before, but no reader has ever noticed, until Delilah.

As Delilah and Oliver talk, they fall in love. She learns about the world he inhabits when the book is closed: The villain isn't evil but likes to paint butterflies; the boy-crazy mermaids are actually staunch feminists, and Oliver doesn't like his "true love," the ditzy Princess Seraphima. They're all just actors, playing their parts over and over, and the story resets each time someone opens the book. ("Happily Ever After Happy Hour") Although Oliver desperately wants to live a life that isn't scripted, Delilah says he should rethink that. In her world, students post fake versions of themselves on social media. In her world, when people leave you, it's forever. ("Talkin' To Oliver")

Oliver goes to Rapskullio to see if there is a spell to get Delilah into the book, and it's revealed that Rapskullio is a very sweet and soft person whole loves nature and to paint. ("Butterflies") Unfortunately, there is nothing that the wizard can do.

When Delilah asks Ms. Winx, the school librarian, if a book has ever spoken to her, Ms. Winx misinterprets this as a literary crush and suggests Delilah join creative writing club to make real friends. ("Mr. Darcy and Me"). The kids at school are cruel ("Inner Toughts"), and Delilah rebuffs the only student who tries to befriend her - Jules, who is non-binary and tells Delilah to ignore the haters.

Delilah comes home from a horrible day and tries to call her dad, with no answer. She and her mother end the evening in a fight. Delilah storms up to her room to try to remember when things weren't so bad. ("Start Again Tomorrow") Oliver and Delilah flirt and imagine what it might be like to be together in their respective worlds. ("In My Perfect World")

When Allie McAndrews teases Delilah about the fairytale ("Crazy Chemistry"), Delilah accidentally injures her again and is suspended.

Meanwhile, Oliver, tries to tell his fairytale counterparts that he's met someone special. They are horrified at first - their readers are children - but Oliver promises Delilah is different. He asks the villain Rapskullio to use magic to bring Delilah into the book, so that they can be together.

When Delilah's mom finds out her daughter has been kicked out of school, they fight. ("I'm Not Through"). Delilah escapes onto the roof outside her bedroom and opens the book to say goodbye to Oliver. Her whole life has been turned upside down by this obsession, and it will never come to any good: he's stuck in a book, and she is in the real world. ("A Whole New Story"). Before Oliver can stop her, Delilah closes the fairytale…and falls off the roof. When she opens her eyes, she is inside the fairytale.

Act Two

("Best Day Ever") At first, this is a dream come true. After meeting the fairytale characters, Oliver whisks her to a private spot where they finally kiss. ("In My Perfect World Reprise") But when the mermaids remind Delilah that she doesn't need a man to rescue her, she realizes that even if she wants to be with Oliver, she can't abandon her mother. ("Do It For You"). Delilah and Oliver visit Rapskullio to ask him if there is a spell he can cast to get Delilah back and he replies that there is nothing they can do. ("Butterflies Reprise"). Oliver reminds her that the moment the book is opened by someone, the story will reset. They share one magical dance together before Delilah disappears. ("Something To Hold Onto").

Delilah awakens in the hospital with a concussion and reconciles with her mother. ("Leaps and Bounds"). Delilah opens her book and sees that Oliver hasn't written a message to her and she fears she has lost her ability to communicate with him. Oliver tells her that he can still talk to her, but he's heartbroken that she's gone and that one day he'll forget about her. ("Something To Hold Onto Reprise").

In the book, Princess Seraphima asks Frump, another fairytale character, what to do if Oliver doesn't love her. Frump tells her that she needs to find another true love and he professes his love for her and they begin a relationship ("Out of Character").

The kids who bully Delilah are all crossing the school halls and having thoughts about the miserable lives they lead out of school ("Inner Thoughts Reprise"). Back in school, Delilah joins creative writing club, where she tells Jules about Oliver. Allie and her friends bully Delilah again and Jules tells her that she needs to stop listening to her. ("Allie McAndrews"). Instead of judging Delilah, Jules suggests that she find the author, Jessamyn Jacobs, and ask her to rewrite the ending to get Oliver out of the book. Jessamyn says that's impossible - she wrote the book years ago to help her son process the death of his father. ("Can't Get 'Em Out").

Delilah and Oliver meet one last time to say goodbye. ("Between The Lines Reprise"). Yet just when Delilah thinks there is no path to her own happily ever after, a surprise encounter reminds her that she has the power to change her own story. It turns out that Jessamyn's son looks just like Prince Oliver. They start to talk and realize how much they have in common. ("Finale - Part 1") They begin to fall in love as they write a new story together. ("Finale - Part 2").

Casting
← Back to Between the Lines
Cast Size: Small (Up to 10 performers)
Cast Type: Ensemble Cast

Character Breakdown

Delilah

Smart, well read (everything from Dostoevsky to graphic novels). Upended by her parents’ bitter divorce, Delilah finds herself in a new school where she goes from being invisible to everyone to becoming the target of the most popular girl in school. To escape, she turns to books.

Gender: female
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: E3
Prince Oliver/Edgar

A classic fairytale prince, charming, sincere, and smart. Oliver wishes for the freedom to live beyond the confines of the story that has been written for him. As Edgar, he is the son of Jessamyn Jacobs, the author of the book Delilah is obsessed with.

Note: the authors recommend not listing Edgar in the program to preserve the surprise.

Gender: male
Vocal range top: Bb4
Vocal range bottom: B2
Grace/ Queen Maureen

Delilah’s mother; after 17 years of being a stay-at-home mom with dreams of completing her nursing degree, Grace finds herself the sole breadwinner and parent. As Queen Maureen: she is Prince Oliver’s fairytale mother. When the book is closed, she is the martini-swigging queen of snark.

You have the option to split up these roles.

Gender: female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Allie McAndrews/ Princess Seraphima

Allie is the school’s resident queen bee who is a smart, entitled, “mean girl.” As Princess Seraphima: the quintessential princess; beautiful, eloquent. However once the book is closed, she is the exact opposite: not very bright and self-absorbed.

You have the option to split up these roles.

Gender: female
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Jules/ Ondine/ Fairy

Strong and confident, Jules is the living embodiment of “live the story you want if it’s not the story you’re in.”  As Ondine: the lead Mermaid; when the book is being read the mermaids are obsessed with men, however once the book is closed they become staunch feminists. The Fairies are in the "Happily Ever After Hour" and the "Best Day Ever" scenes.

You have the option to split up these roles.

Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: D3
Ryan/ Frump

Ryan is the jock boyfriend of Allie McAndrews, a dude’s dude. Frump is Prince Oliver’s best friend who is half-dog due to a curse placed on him by the evil Rapskullio earlier in the fairy tale book. Hopelessly in love with Princess Seraphima. 

You have the option to split up these roles.

Gender: male
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: B2
Janice/ Marina/ Fairy

Allie’s ditzy right hand gal. As Marina (Mermaid): when the book is being read, the mermaids are obsessed with men, however once the book is closed they become staunch feminists. The Fairies are in the "Happily Ever After Hour" and the "Best Day Ever" scenes.

You have the option to split up these roles.

Gender: female
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: D3
Martin/ Troll

A teen internet troll who bullies Delilah through social media posts and is part of Allie McAndrews’ tribe. As Troll: when the fairy tale is being read the Troll is a grunting, monosyllabic monster; when the book is closed, he is an Olivier-esque actor’s actor. Also briefly appears as Delilah's Dad and Delivery Person.

You have the option to split up these roles.

Gender: male
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: C3
Ms. Winx/ Lady in Waiting/ Mrs. Brown/ Kyrie/ Jessamyn Jacobs

Ms. Winx is the school librarian who happens to have a longstanding literary crush on Mr. Darcy from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice; sassy, strong, knows exactly who she is. As Jessamyn: the author of the fairy tale book Delilah is obsessed with and a widowed mother of a teenage boy; she’s kooky, a bit scattered and off beat, but smart and intuitive. As Mrs. Brown: she is a biology teacher who is obsessed with self-tanning, teeth whitening, and vacationing in the Caribbean. As Kyrie (mermaid): when the book is being read the mermaids are obsessed with men, however once the book is closed they become staunch feminists.

You have the option to split up these roles.

Gender: female
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: D3
Dr. Ducharme/ Rapskullio

Dr. Ducharme is the school social worker. He’s a quirky, socially awkward, nebbish sort of fellow. In the fairy tale, Rapskullio is a classic evil villain, but when the book is closed he is the exact opposite: ultra-sensitive, good-hearted, and in touch with his feelings.

You have the option to split up these roles.

Gender: male
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: C3
Full Song List
Between the Lines: Another Chapter
Between the Lines: Between the Lines
Between the Lines: Happily Ever After Hour
Between the Lines: When I’m Talking to Oliver
Between the Lines: Mr. Darcy And Me
Between the Lines: Inner Thoughts
Between the Lines: Start Again Tomorrow
Between the Lines: In My Perfect World
Between the Lines: Crazy Chemistry
Between the Lines: Butterflies
Between the Lines: I’m Not Through
Between the Lines: A Whole New Story
Between the Lines: Best Day Ever
Between the Lines: In My Perfect World (Reprise)
Between the Lines: Do It For You
Between the Lines: Butterflies (Reprise)
Between the Lines: Something To Hold Onto
Between the Lines: Leaps and Bounds
Between the Lines: Something to Hold Onto (Reprise)
Between the Lines: Out of Character
Between the Lines: Inner Thoughts (Reprise)
Between the Lines: Allie McAndrews
Between the Lines: Can’t Get ‘Em Out
Between the Lines: Between The Lines (Reprise)
Between the Lines: Finale

Billing

Based on the novel by Jodi Picoult & Samantha van Leer

Requirements

You must give the authors/creators billing credits, as specified in the Licence Agreement, in a conspicuous manner on the first page of credits in all programs and on house-boards, displays and in all other advertising announcements of any kind. You agree to supply to the Licensor full details of all such material for Licensor’s approval prior to printing and distribution and supply two (2) copies of the program after printing.
Percentages listed indicate required type size in relation to title size.
BETWEEN THE LINES
100%
Music & Lyrics by
Elyssa Samsel & Kate Anderson
(50%)
Book by
Timothy Allen McDonald & Jodi Picoult
(50%)
Based on the novel by Jodi Picoult & Samantha van Leer
25%
 
No one shall receive larger billing than the Authors. No other credits on the same line as Authors. The credit for the Novelists shall appear on a separate line immediately below Authors’ credit and appearing wherever Authors are billed.
 
ADDITIONAL TITLE PAGE BILLING: The following credits shall appear on the title page of all programs and in all advertising and publicity wherever and whenever the full production credits are given.
Original Off-Broadway Production of Between the Lines
Produced by Daryl Roth
Directed by Jeff Calhoun
25%
 
The following credits shall appear on title pages for all programs of the Play in a size equal to musical staff credits unless specified otherwise:
Music & Orchestrations and Arrangements by
Greg Anthony Rassen
Additional Arrangements by
Daniel Green
Developed with the support of the New York Stage and Film & Vassar’s Powerhouse Season, Summer 2016
20%
 
PROFESSIONAL LICENSEES ONLY: For commercial productions only, the following credits shall appear on the title page of all programs and in all posters and advertising when full production credits appear:
World premiere production was produced by Kansas City Repertory Theatre (Eric Rosen, Artistic Director; Angela Gieras, Executive Director) by special arrangement with Daryl Roth and Columbia Live Stage, September 2017
 
SHORTENED BILLING: In advertisements of 1/4 page size or less, and online and mobile ads where in each case only the title of the play, performance dates and venue are provided and in outdoor advertising, transit and taxi ads and marquees where no other person is billed, the following “shortened billing” is permissible:
BETWEEN THE LINES

Video Warning

If you purchase a separate license to allow non-commercial video recording of this production, you must print the following in your program. ANY VIDEO RECORDING MADE OF THIS PERFORMANCE IS AUTHORIZED FOR PERSONAL, AT-HOME, NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY. THE SALE OR DISTRIBUTION OF SUCH RECORDING IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED UNDER FEDERAL COPYRIGHT LAW. If you do not purchase the separate license for video recording, you must print the following in your program. The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited

Included Materials

ItemQuantity Included
DIGITAL ORCHESTRATION SUPPLEMENT1
KEYBOARD-CONDUCTOR ACT 12
KEYBOARD-CONDUCTOR ACT 22
LIBRETTO/VOCAL BOOK15
PIANO VOCAL SCORE2

Production Resources

Resource

STANDARD ORCHESTRATION

InstrumentationDoubling
ALTERNATE ORCH PART 1
BASSACOUSTIC BASS , ELECTRIC BASS
CELLO
GUITARACOUSTIC GUITAR , ELECTRIC GUITAR , HOLLOW BODY , MANDOLIN , NYLON ACOUSTIC , STRATOCASTER
KEYBOARD 1
PERCUSSIONBELL TREE , BONGOS , CONGAS , CROTALES , DJEMBE , DRUM SET , ELECTRONIC KIT , FINGER CYMBAL , GLOCKENSPIEL , GRAN CASSA , MARK TREE , RATCHET , SHAKER , TAM TAM (OPT.) , TRIANGLE , VIBRAPHONE , WOODBLOCK
REED 1BASS CLARINET , CLARINET , FLUTE , OBOE , PICCOLO , SOPRANO SAXOPHONE , TENOR SAXOPHONE
VIOLIN