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Girl Talk #28
Center Stage
Sometimes great ideas get a little out of control!
When Sabrina decides to start a seventh-grade drama club at Bradley Junior High, everyone thinks it's a great idea--even the principal, Mr. Hansen. But when Sabrina tries to be the producer, director, writer, and star, everyone thinks it's a disaster--even Sabrina!
When Sabrina decides to start a seventh-grade drama club at Bradley Junior High, everyone thinks it's a great idea--even the principal, Mr. Hansen. But when Sabrina tries to be the producer, director, writer, and star, everyone thinks it's a disaster--even Sabrina!
- GenresYoung AdultChildrens
117 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 1992
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June 30, 2024Center Stage (Girl Talk)
Sabs is super excited! She and the rest of her friends are at a production of Romeo and Juliet. Sabs gets so into the play she drifts off and has to be woken up when it’s an intermission. Sabs is so wrapped up in the play that she goes to get her four friends drinks and gets the wrong drinks (and spills them when she comes back(, Before they go, Sabs is the only one that has to go to the bathroom. She accidentally walks into the male bathroom and she gets into an argument with a little boy. (Randy has to come get her).
On the way back, Sabs has a great idea to have a drama club and put on productions. Randy says she can be the stage manager. Katie says as long as she doesn’t have to act again. She’ll help with production tho. They make plans (to plan) the next day. The next day they meet and *of course* Sabs wants the first play to be Romeo and Juliet. Sabs pictures herself as Juliet. Randy said none of the kids will want to do Shakespeare. Sam and Nick are supportive of the idea. That is until Sabs tells them what play and then they agree with Randy. The kids won’t be into it. Sabs looks to her friends to have her back, but Al, Katie, and Randy all look away. None of them tho have any ideas for an alternative. So, Al says she and Sabs can meet in the library and pick out a play from the drama section.
When she gets there, Al has already got a list. Sas reads her horoscope. “It’s a long journey but you’ll be surrounded by friends.” So, Sabs tells her to look for a play about paths or journeys or a kingdom. Sabs offers to put the books back and bumps into someone who turns out to be Windslow. Her books and his fall to the floor. Sabr happens to look over at the books Winslow dropped which are fairy tale books. He’s doing a paper of childhood myths and how they shape our lives. Then Sabs sees Stacey. She and her friends start to tease her about “accidentally” trying to bump into him. Sabs sees Winslow didn’t pick up one of the books. The book is The Wizard of Oz. Sabs has a brainstorm. *THAT* will be the first play.
Mr. Handson puts in Sabs' head to direct the play. He really likes the idea. Then he starts to talk about getting a faculty advisor and opening night. He wishes Sabrina luck. The next step is holding a planning meeting. She’s decided to ask Mr. Metcalf to be the advisor. The play will happen in about a month. All the GT girls start to talk about props. They’ll need a broom, a picnic basket, a bicycle, and the things the Wizard gives the Lion, Scarecrow, and Tinsman. But the most important thing is the ruby slippers. Stacey comes up to them and says she heard about the play but she’s not planning to audition. For some reason this hurts Sab's feelings, She insults Stacey and she leaves.
Sabs gets a touch of nerves and her voice comes out squeaky when she makes the announcement. She thinks no one will show up because of this, but when they get to the auditorium it's FULL. SURPRISE! SURPRISE! Stacey is one of the ones in the auditorium. Despite her suggestion of holding the tryouts, they decide to pick committee. Allison is the stage manager. Kaoe will be the publicity coordinator. Randy will be over costumes. Winslow is put over lights and Sam will build the sets,Then they hold auditions for the Scarecrow, Tinsman, and Lion. The next parts will be auditioned for the next day.
They all have a meeting one afternoon and realize they don’t know who’ll play Toto. So naturally, they choose Cinnamon (Sabs dog). Only she’s too heavy to pick up. Winslow says he knows someone but is hesitant to say who. He says they should forget it. Mark seems to know who and says Winslow’s right. They should get a stuffed dog. They persist and Mark finally says it’s Stacey. She has a cute fluffy, dog. Sam gives Sabs a look and she realizes that in order for Stacey to agree to use her dog they’ll have to give her the lead. Sabs refuses. Sam says that atleast their father has offered to give them all the supplies they need for the sets. Now they need to find Glinda’s wand, the gifts from the Wizard, and the shoes. Sabs has an idea that maybe they could use Judy Garland’s slippers but someone points out to her there won’t be any time to get them. But then Katie points out that Stacey has a pair of shoes like that. She wore them on Hitsville U.S.A. Sabs horror scope says she might need to look for help in unusual places but she still won’t do it. So they discuss the other cast.
Sabs has a dream that night that she’s fallen down a well and Stacey keeps making her give up her stuff in order to save her. Sabs comes up with the idea tp ,ale Staceu the Wocled Wotcj pf the West. Then Sabs tells her friends about HOW she’s going to get Stacey to do it. Her friends say they’ll do it even though it involves them lying about her and they really don’t want to do that. At the auditions, Eva tries out for the Wicked Witch, and Laurel tries out for Glenda (and she’s pretty good). Then they hold auditions for Auntie Em, Then Mrs. Gulch (?). Finally, they audition for the part of Dorothy. Stacey goes first but stays to see the completion. Sabrina announces to her friends they’re going to Fitzes. She speaks to Stacey and then tells her friends she’ll meet them. She has to pick up some stuff. The plan is for the GT girls to bring Stacey to Fitzes. Sabrina slips into a booth. Her friends start telling Stacey how they’re tired of Sabrina and she’s getting an ego. They said they were glad they talked her out of a good part (the part of the Wicked Witch). They start saying how they don’t think Sabs would be good enough to play the witch. Stacey says she thought about trying out for the part but Sabs won’t give it to her because she’s jealous of her. Randy gets Stacey to volunteer to give up her dog and slippers. Al says that if she gives up those things Sabs will have no choice but to give her the part. Then she thanks them. They act like she’s doing them a favor. Randy says don’t tell Sabs they told her. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
Sabs is chosen to play Dorothy. Things get very hectic. People are always in Sabs eare about the play. There are some issues that come up. Stacey’s feet are bigger so the shoes don’t fit Sabs and come off when she’s doing a dance number. Someone disconnected the soundboard and Winslow has never worked sound before. Billy (the lion), Arizona (the tinsman), and Rich (the scarecrow) can’t really dance and Sabs can’t really sin. Sabs starts to get overwhelmed. Mr. Metcalf hints that she’s bitten off too much, but Sabs doesn’t want to give up the part. Sabs says she’ll do all her singing before she starts to direct. Her friends say they’ll have production lessons during lunch so they’ll be out of the way.
Things get a little better, but Sabrina still feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day, She still hasn’t memorized all her lines. Mr. Handson asks Sabrina as a special to the teachers (some won’t be able to attend) to put on a special rehersal for only them. Sabs is honored. She sets the date for Friday night. (She still hasn’t learned her lines), The only one whose not excited is Stacey. Sabrina starts to feel a little bad for her because she’s donating two of the most major contributions and she’ll have the ugliest costume.
The tickets arrive and they’re all wrong. Wizard is spelled wrong and the dates are wrong. So, they’ll have to do them all by hand AND they have to do the posters. So they’ll give the production team the posters to have done by Mondy and that night they work on correcting the tickets. It’s Friday night now. Sabs STILL doesn’t know her lines. Sabrina trips on stage over and prop and when Laurel asks if she’s a good witch or a bad witch it hits her that she doesn’t know the line OR ANY of the lines. Al tries to whisper the lines to Sabrina but it comes out garbled. Laurel tries to help by doing both parts. Sabs gets the line but starts it five minutes to late and in the middle of Laurel’s song. Then one of the pads slips out of Sabrina’s shoe. Sabrina is about to die but Al encourages her to keep going. Sabrina can’t walk in the shoes the rest of the play. At the end she just takes them off, does her dance, After the play, Sabrina realizes she’ll have to quit the show. Mr. Handson just says “Quite the job”. Sabrina wants to go over the rainbow herself.
In the end, Sab's friends suggest she switch roles with Stacey. Stacey will have more time to memorize the lines. Sabs doesn’t want to but agrees it’s for the best. Stacey is good with the switch even though all the teachers thought she made a great witch. Stacey gets it all down without a problem. Sabs gets her part down line for line. Randy says since she’s a natural talent she doesn’t need overdone makeup to be believable. Sam tells Sabrina the Press wants to talk to her after the show and take pictures of her to put in the newspaper. Stacey of course goes around bragging out how she stepped in and saved the show. Sabs is annoyed but lets it slide. There are a few small things in the play that the actors have to adjust to but otherwise everything goes off great! (Stacey spills the water she’s supposed to throw at Sabrina). Sabrina realizes that even though she didn’t get the lead role, she was still the star of the production.
My Thoughts
I thought that the Wizard of Oz was a good choice to start off for the Drama C lub. Even tho Stacey isn’t one of my favorite characters, she was a little more tolerable in this one. It was good to see her after a while accept a role that really wasn’t flattering. (Although she did have to be tricked into it). I also liked that this book actually let her be *good* at both parts of the Wicked Witch AND Dorothy. Most of the books are so busy trying to make the GT girls outshine her that unrealistically they make all the things she goes up against them for her fail at. It just felt like a good balance here that “the villain” actually got their chance in the spotlight and not only that she contributed two essential props to the production. There was also a good lesson about taking on too much. S ometimes its ok to step back and relay on other people to help when loads get to heavy for us. We just have to not be afraid to admit it.
Rating: 7
Sabs is super excited! She and the rest of her friends are at a production of Romeo and Juliet. Sabs gets so into the play she drifts off and has to be woken up when it’s an intermission. Sabs is so wrapped up in the play that she goes to get her four friends drinks and gets the wrong drinks (and spills them when she comes back(, Before they go, Sabs is the only one that has to go to the bathroom. She accidentally walks into the male bathroom and she gets into an argument with a little boy. (Randy has to come get her).
On the way back, Sabs has a great idea to have a drama club and put on productions. Randy says she can be the stage manager. Katie says as long as she doesn’t have to act again. She’ll help with production tho. They make plans (to plan) the next day. The next day they meet and *of course* Sabs wants the first play to be Romeo and Juliet. Sabs pictures herself as Juliet. Randy said none of the kids will want to do Shakespeare. Sam and Nick are supportive of the idea. That is until Sabs tells them what play and then they agree with Randy. The kids won’t be into it. Sabs looks to her friends to have her back, but Al, Katie, and Randy all look away. None of them tho have any ideas for an alternative. So, Al says she and Sabs can meet in the library and pick out a play from the drama section.
When she gets there, Al has already got a list. Sas reads her horoscope. “It’s a long journey but you’ll be surrounded by friends.” So, Sabs tells her to look for a play about paths or journeys or a kingdom. Sabs offers to put the books back and bumps into someone who turns out to be Windslow. Her books and his fall to the floor. Sabr happens to look over at the books Winslow dropped which are fairy tale books. He’s doing a paper of childhood myths and how they shape our lives. Then Sabs sees Stacey. She and her friends start to tease her about “accidentally” trying to bump into him. Sabs sees Winslow didn’t pick up one of the books. The book is The Wizard of Oz. Sabs has a brainstorm. *THAT* will be the first play.
Mr. Handson puts in Sabs' head to direct the play. He really likes the idea. Then he starts to talk about getting a faculty advisor and opening night. He wishes Sabrina luck. The next step is holding a planning meeting. She’s decided to ask Mr. Metcalf to be the advisor. The play will happen in about a month. All the GT girls start to talk about props. They’ll need a broom, a picnic basket, a bicycle, and the things the Wizard gives the Lion, Scarecrow, and Tinsman. But the most important thing is the ruby slippers. Stacey comes up to them and says she heard about the play but she’s not planning to audition. For some reason this hurts Sab's feelings, She insults Stacey and she leaves.
Sabs gets a touch of nerves and her voice comes out squeaky when she makes the announcement. She thinks no one will show up because of this, but when they get to the auditorium it's FULL. SURPRISE! SURPRISE! Stacey is one of the ones in the auditorium. Despite her suggestion of holding the tryouts, they decide to pick committee. Allison is the stage manager. Kaoe will be the publicity coordinator. Randy will be over costumes. Winslow is put over lights and Sam will build the sets,Then they hold auditions for the Scarecrow, Tinsman, and Lion. The next parts will be auditioned for the next day.
They all have a meeting one afternoon and realize they don’t know who’ll play Toto. So naturally, they choose Cinnamon (Sabs dog). Only she’s too heavy to pick up. Winslow says he knows someone but is hesitant to say who. He says they should forget it. Mark seems to know who and says Winslow’s right. They should get a stuffed dog. They persist and Mark finally says it’s Stacey. She has a cute fluffy, dog. Sam gives Sabs a look and she realizes that in order for Stacey to agree to use her dog they’ll have to give her the lead. Sabs refuses. Sam says that atleast their father has offered to give them all the supplies they need for the sets. Now they need to find Glinda’s wand, the gifts from the Wizard, and the shoes. Sabs has an idea that maybe they could use Judy Garland’s slippers but someone points out to her there won’t be any time to get them. But then Katie points out that Stacey has a pair of shoes like that. She wore them on Hitsville U.S.A. Sabs horror scope says she might need to look for help in unusual places but she still won’t do it. So they discuss the other cast.
Sabs has a dream that night that she’s fallen down a well and Stacey keeps making her give up her stuff in order to save her. Sabs comes up with the idea tp ,ale Staceu the Wocled Wotcj pf the West. Then Sabs tells her friends about HOW she’s going to get Stacey to do it. Her friends say they’ll do it even though it involves them lying about her and they really don’t want to do that. At the auditions, Eva tries out for the Wicked Witch, and Laurel tries out for Glenda (and she’s pretty good). Then they hold auditions for Auntie Em, Then Mrs. Gulch (?). Finally, they audition for the part of Dorothy. Stacey goes first but stays to see the completion. Sabrina announces to her friends they’re going to Fitzes. She speaks to Stacey and then tells her friends she’ll meet them. She has to pick up some stuff. The plan is for the GT girls to bring Stacey to Fitzes. Sabrina slips into a booth. Her friends start telling Stacey how they’re tired of Sabrina and she’s getting an ego. They said they were glad they talked her out of a good part (the part of the Wicked Witch). They start saying how they don’t think Sabs would be good enough to play the witch. Stacey says she thought about trying out for the part but Sabs won’t give it to her because she’s jealous of her. Randy gets Stacey to volunteer to give up her dog and slippers. Al says that if she gives up those things Sabs will have no choice but to give her the part. Then she thanks them. They act like she’s doing them a favor. Randy says don’t tell Sabs they told her. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
Sabs is chosen to play Dorothy. Things get very hectic. People are always in Sabs eare about the play. There are some issues that come up. Stacey’s feet are bigger so the shoes don’t fit Sabs and come off when she’s doing a dance number. Someone disconnected the soundboard and Winslow has never worked sound before. Billy (the lion), Arizona (the tinsman), and Rich (the scarecrow) can’t really dance and Sabs can’t really sin. Sabs starts to get overwhelmed. Mr. Metcalf hints that she’s bitten off too much, but Sabs doesn’t want to give up the part. Sabs says she’ll do all her singing before she starts to direct. Her friends say they’ll have production lessons during lunch so they’ll be out of the way.
Things get a little better, but Sabrina still feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day, She still hasn’t memorized all her lines. Mr. Handson asks Sabrina as a special to the teachers (some won’t be able to attend) to put on a special rehersal for only them. Sabs is honored. She sets the date for Friday night. (She still hasn’t learned her lines), The only one whose not excited is Stacey. Sabrina starts to feel a little bad for her because she’s donating two of the most major contributions and she’ll have the ugliest costume.
The tickets arrive and they’re all wrong. Wizard is spelled wrong and the dates are wrong. So, they’ll have to do them all by hand AND they have to do the posters. So they’ll give the production team the posters to have done by Mondy and that night they work on correcting the tickets. It’s Friday night now. Sabs STILL doesn’t know her lines. Sabrina trips on stage over and prop and when Laurel asks if she’s a good witch or a bad witch it hits her that she doesn’t know the line OR ANY of the lines. Al tries to whisper the lines to Sabrina but it comes out garbled. Laurel tries to help by doing both parts. Sabs gets the line but starts it five minutes to late and in the middle of Laurel’s song. Then one of the pads slips out of Sabrina’s shoe. Sabrina is about to die but Al encourages her to keep going. Sabrina can’t walk in the shoes the rest of the play. At the end she just takes them off, does her dance, After the play, Sabrina realizes she’ll have to quit the show. Mr. Handson just says “Quite the job”. Sabrina wants to go over the rainbow herself.
In the end, Sab's friends suggest she switch roles with Stacey. Stacey will have more time to memorize the lines. Sabs doesn’t want to but agrees it’s for the best. Stacey is good with the switch even though all the teachers thought she made a great witch. Stacey gets it all down without a problem. Sabs gets her part down line for line. Randy says since she’s a natural talent she doesn’t need overdone makeup to be believable. Sam tells Sabrina the Press wants to talk to her after the show and take pictures of her to put in the newspaper. Stacey of course goes around bragging out how she stepped in and saved the show. Sabs is annoyed but lets it slide. There are a few small things in the play that the actors have to adjust to but otherwise everything goes off great! (Stacey spills the water she’s supposed to throw at Sabrina). Sabrina realizes that even though she didn’t get the lead role, she was still the star of the production.
My Thoughts
I thought that the Wizard of Oz was a good choice to start off for the Drama C lub. Even tho Stacey isn’t one of my favorite characters, she was a little more tolerable in this one. It was good to see her after a while accept a role that really wasn’t flattering. (Although she did have to be tricked into it). I also liked that this book actually let her be *good* at both parts of the Wicked Witch AND Dorothy. Most of the books are so busy trying to make the GT girls outshine her that unrealistically they make all the things she goes up against them for her fail at. It just felt like a good balance here that “the villain” actually got their chance in the spotlight and not only that she contributed two essential props to the production. There was also a good lesson about taking on too much. S ometimes its ok to step back and relay on other people to help when loads get to heavy for us. We just have to not be afraid to admit it.
Rating: 7
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2013
these books were like reading a diary each book was different though it was like you were in school again.
June 24, 2016
all books from this serial were with me in my childhood and puberty-time ;) and in that time it was great. One time...I will read it with my daughters
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews