Broadway Chances - Softcover

Fitzi (The Street Dancers, 1991) is still ambivalent about a theatrical career, even in the midst of what looks like a dream come true: recovered from his stroke, her grandfather (Clement Dale, a gifted pro) has a fine small part in a new Broadway musical about a bunch of French kids who fly to Paris in a hot- air balloon, while her parents will be jugglers in the show. To her relief, Fitzi loses the lead to charismatic friend/rival Tiffany, but gets a solo dance (her real forte) and is Tiffany's understudy. Then Tiffany vanishes, kidnapped not by an obvious suspect--her father or a homeless man with a threatening fixation on the young star--but by a surprising third person. By the time she's found, too distraught to return to the cast, Fitzi has gamely done her best to take her place; still, in a heartwarming conclusion, Fitzi uses what she knows about Tiffany's not entirely admirable character to trick her into returning to the role she does so well, and the play opens to rave reviews. Drawing on her own insider's experience, Hill presents an enthralling look at a theatrical production--its pressures, strong and varied personalities, vicissitudes (will the balloon ever fly?), and unexpected breaks (Clement isn't cut, as they have feared, but gets an extra song that turns out to be the show's highlight). An entertaining novel with lively characters, a suspenseful mystery, and a satisfying conclusion. (Fiction. 9- 14) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Grade 4-7-- Hill successfully blends a behind-the-scenes portrayal of the theater with a coming-of-age story. Fitzi, who was introduced in The Street Dancers (Viking, 1991), has finally realized her dream of attending and nearly completing sixth grade at a ``normal'' public school instead of being tutored while devoting her energies to performing and auditioning. The chance for her entire family to be in a Broadway musical presents her with some hard choices. Not only is the pace grueling, but as understudy to Tiffany--the play's lead who mysteriously disappears--Fitzi is under enormous pressure. She longs to do her originally assigned solo dance routine rather than carry the responsibility of the starring role. Ultimately, she gets her wish in a tidy resolution--another chance taken, another gain realized. Hill details both the external theater world as well as the internal emotional world of its characters. The girls' friendship/rivalry is realistically drawn. The potential of Fitzi's budding romance with the leading male is hinted at but not fully explored. Preteens will be eager to find out who kidnapped Tiffany, while learning much about Broadway and growing up along the way. This title stands alone, but fans of the first book will applaud this effort and hope for an encore performance. --Jennifer Kraar, formerly at St. Joseph's University, Philadelphia
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.