Hi All,

I’m writing this month’s note from a secret writing intensive for a brand new theatrical project. So since I have musicals on the brain, I’m going to use this newsletter to talk about Between The Lines — the musical that was adapted from the book I co-wrote with my daughter, Samantha van Leer.  

When Sammy was 13, she called me while I was stuck in traffic in LA during a book tour, and told me she had an idea for a novel. She pitched it to me: What if there was a girl who was having a really hard time because her parents had split up and she had moved, and she was being bullied in her new school and had no friends — so like many of us, she escaped into fiction? One book in particular — a fairytale that was meant for kids, but that had an illustration of a prince who was really hot. Plus, his circumstances spoke to her. And then — one day — he ACTUALLY spoke to her. And he wanted out of his story just as much as she wanted out of hers.

When Sammy said this, I knew it was a great concept. Who hasn’t had a literary crush, after all? I suggested we write it, and we did just that, working over several years side by side at the computer to eventually publish the book. But even then, it didn’t quite feel finished. The best way I can describe it is that the story SANG to me. So I started to look into adapting it as a musical. I was lucky enough to have Daryl Roth (Kinky Boots) want to produce it. Our writing team included librettist Tim McDonald (James & the Giant Peach) and songwriters Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson (Disney’s Olaf’s Frozen Adventure, Apple TV’s Central Park). Jeff Calhoun (Newsies) came on as director. 

Creating the musical version of the book was magical. Imagine seeing, literally, your characters come to life! We had the best time working as a creative team, and eventually the show debuted at Kansas City Repertory Theater — selling out and becoming one of its highest grossing shows, ever. We were ready to move to an off-Broadway theater in April 2020…and you can guess what happened.

You may not know this, but it takes about ten years to get a musical to a stage. To have been so close and then have Covid yank that away was devastating. But our intrepid producer refused to give up, and I am delighted to announce that Between the Lines will debut at Second Stage Theater on June 14, running until October 1. It is, in a way, the perfect musical for this moment — it’s fun and funny, with songs you will not be able to get out of your head. It’s about empowerment and authenticity and about living the story you want, if it’s not the one you’re in. Is there a better mantra for a post-pandemic world?

If you are planning a trip to NYC, please join us this summer. You can get tickets here. And — I’m going to share a secret with you that hasn’t been publicly announced yet. I will be hosting dedicated talkbacks after the show for my fans at the following performances:  

6/28 @ 7 PM

6/29 @ 2 PM

6/30 @ 7 PM

7/2 @ 2 PM 

7/22 @ 8 PM

7/23 @ 2 PM

7/23 @ 8 PM

Here’s a sneak peek at the music.

I hope I’ll see you there!

XO,

Jodi