The Backstagers and the Theater of the Ancients

February 1, 2019
The show goes on in this encore novelization of the hit comic-book series. Fresh off closing night of their last show, the Backstagers are already gearing up for the next St. Genesius spectacle: Tammy, a nod to 1969 rock-opera Tommy. Irreconcilable differences between the alpha Onstager McQueen brothers land Beckett an opportunity to step in as director. More new ground is broken when the title role of a Deaf character is shared between Penitent Angels School guest stars Bailey and Adrienne, who is actually Deaf. For most, change brings new opportunities to try out unfamiliar backstage jobs. But a rift grows between boyfriends Jory and Hunter as Jory's newfound social media stardom--and a persistent negative voice in his head--convinces him to abandon the show for an all-expenses-paid trip to Greece. Is it all too good to be true, or will Jory leave the Backstagers for real? In this sophomore effort, Mientus effectively expands the series' mythic Backstage, which magically connects to theaters all over the world, into international territory. The already notably diverse cast broadens further to include disability. Despite Bailey's initial choice to take the role of playing a Deaf character, her allyship and the company's subsequent discussions about accurate representation expertly situate the novel in conversation with real-life casting controversies. Sygh's two-color spot art accentuates the series' whimsy and shojolike romance, albeit with a slightly darker edge.Applauseworthy. (Fantasy. 10-14)

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February 15, 2019
Grades 5-8 The theater crew of St. Genesius Prep faces another set of supernatural adversaries and seemingly insuperable problems while mounting a production of Tammy?you know, the classic rock opera about a disabled Skee-Ball player?in this second prose spin-off from the Backstagers comics (The Backstagers and the Ghost Light, 2018). As if the ambitious casting of Adrienne, an actual Deaf person, for the lead isn't resulting in enough stressful personal and technical issues, a pair of demigods are eager to trick costume designer Jory, through deceptive use of social media, into blowing off boyfriend and crew commitments alike. This sets the stage for both a dramatic rescue and a confrontational exchange of views with the immortals about what constitutes pure theater. By the end, the thoroughly diverse Backstagers are tighter than ever. (Those pesky demigods may have started something, though, so stay tuned.) Readers fond of heady theatrical hustle and bustle, desperate battles with mythological monsters, or both will be equally charmed. The graphic novels' illustrator will contribute spot and full-page art.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2019
While battling Greek theater purists, the backstage theater crew at St. Genesius Prep faces personal and supernatural challenges in this boundary-pushing series based on the Backstagers comics. The Backstagers here explore equity, diversity, and inclusion as they put on a show about a Deaf girl featuring, for the first time, a Deaf girl as the lead. Cartoon-style monochromatic spot illustrations add humor and distinguish the characters.

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)