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Drama! #2
Everyone's a Critic
School's out, but the drama never stops at the superposh Orion Academy. Hartley Blackstone -- the famous director, producer, choreographer, and genuine Broadway icon -- has chosen Orion to hold auditions for one lucky guy and girl to attend his summer theater program in New York City.
Naturally, every wannabe-It girl and boy at Orion is going mad, prepping to win Blackstone's approval. With any luck, it could be Bryan and his BFF, Sam, stepping onto a Broadway stage.
But Mr. Blackstone, known for his notoriously harsh critiques, is capable of crushing hearts and shattering dreams with a single word. Bryan will need more than his snarky wit and cute smile for this one. He's got to bring it!
Now if he could just figure out exactly what it is....
Naturally, every wannabe-It girl and boy at Orion is going mad, prepping to win Blackstone's approval. With any luck, it could be Bryan and his BFF, Sam, stepping onto a Broadway stage.
But Mr. Blackstone, known for his notoriously harsh critiques, is capable of crushing hearts and shattering dreams with a single word. Bryan will need more than his snarky wit and cute smile for this one. He's got to bring it!
Now if he could just figure out exactly what it is....
- GenresYoung AdultFiction
256 pages, Paperback
First published October 2, 2007
2 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Paul Ruditis
113 books98 followersPaul Ruditis also writes under the name P.J. Ruditis.
I was born and raised in Philadelphia where I lived a typical childhood with a far more interesting fantasy life. I mean, how many other eight year olds were sticking their Star Wars action figures in Ziploc bags filled with water and putting them in the freezer to recreate the ice planet of Hoth? (Really? That many? Never mind.)
After college, I moved to Los Angeles and was very lucky to get a job as a page at Paramount Pictures only months after I got into town. I worked as a tour guide and usher, and I performed temp office work around the lot.
Eventually, I took a position working in the studio's licensing department where I quickly worked my way up to middle management.
After a while, one of my friends in the publishing industry offered me the opportunity to write a Buffy, The Vampire Slayer short story for a collection she was editing. Well, when I heard how little money I could make as a writer, I immediately quit my job to try it full time. (Stupid, I know, but it kind of worked for me.)
I started out by writing books based on such wonderful TV shows as Star Trek, Roswell, and Sabrina, The Teenage Witch. I have since written over 30 books based some of the best shows on TV, adding The West Wing, Alias, and Prison Break to that ever growing list.
While I continue to work on these media tie-ins, I have also been focused more on my own original fiction, including my teen series DRAMA! and the Simon Pulse Romantic Comedy Love, Hollywood Style.
- Abridged Bio - Official Website.
I was born and raised in Philadelphia where I lived a typical childhood with a far more interesting fantasy life. I mean, how many other eight year olds were sticking their Star Wars action figures in Ziploc bags filled with water and putting them in the freezer to recreate the ice planet of Hoth? (Really? That many? Never mind.)
After college, I moved to Los Angeles and was very lucky to get a job as a page at Paramount Pictures only months after I got into town. I worked as a tour guide and usher, and I performed temp office work around the lot.
Eventually, I took a position working in the studio's licensing department where I quickly worked my way up to middle management.
After a while, one of my friends in the publishing industry offered me the opportunity to write a Buffy, The Vampire Slayer short story for a collection she was editing. Well, when I heard how little money I could make as a writer, I immediately quit my job to try it full time. (Stupid, I know, but it kind of worked for me.)
I started out by writing books based on such wonderful TV shows as Star Trek, Roswell, and Sabrina, The Teenage Witch. I have since written over 30 books based some of the best shows on TV, adding The West Wing, Alias, and Prison Break to that ever growing list.
While I continue to work on these media tie-ins, I have also been focused more on my own original fiction, including my teen series DRAMA! and the Simon Pulse Romantic Comedy Love, Hollywood Style.
- Abridged Bio - Official Website.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 3, 2012
More of my reviews at: unforgetablebooks.blogspot.com
This is the book I always remember every time I do not get into the cast or receive a callback for a play. There is a character in this book that discovers he cannot act. Then he becomes depressed till he learns there is more to the theater business then acting; he can still be successful in the competitive world of theater as a director or crew chief.
If you enjoy theater or laughing, this is the book for you.
Theater: All the theater stereotypes are in this book: the character actor, the natural actor, the drama queen, the goth, the evil villainess. There is a united family community contained in the club. The theater geeks all know each other, their talents and place in the community. The audition process is nerve-racking and everyone feels awful and hopeful after their audition. Negative critiques from a famous director causes anxiety and tears.
There is a few side stories in this book. Bryan and his best-friend Sam try to reunite a recently broken up couple; one is their other best friend Hope and the other is Bryan's ex-best friend Drew. I find their strategies ineffective but amusing to read about. Another sub-plot is Bryan and his friends fighting against their enemy, the amazing actress Holly Mayflower. The animosity between the groups is obvious and realistic.
The main reason I like this book is because it tells the true world of high school theater and is an amusing read. This book has simple plot that is based around a competition. I find all the characters special because they each have their own individual role to play. I enjoy how they fight when stressed, but always remain to help each other in the end.
This is the book I always remember every time I do not get into the cast or receive a callback for a play. There is a character in this book that discovers he cannot act. Then he becomes depressed till he learns there is more to the theater business then acting; he can still be successful in the competitive world of theater as a director or crew chief.
If you enjoy theater or laughing, this is the book for you.
Theater: All the theater stereotypes are in this book: the character actor, the natural actor, the drama queen, the goth, the evil villainess. There is a united family community contained in the club. The theater geeks all know each other, their talents and place in the community. The audition process is nerve-racking and everyone feels awful and hopeful after their audition. Negative critiques from a famous director causes anxiety and tears.
There is a few side stories in this book. Bryan and his best-friend Sam try to reunite a recently broken up couple; one is their other best friend Hope and the other is Bryan's ex-best friend Drew. I find their strategies ineffective but amusing to read about. Another sub-plot is Bryan and his friends fighting against their enemy, the amazing actress Holly Mayflower. The animosity between the groups is obvious and realistic.
The main reason I like this book is because it tells the true world of high school theater and is an amusing read. This book has simple plot that is based around a competition. I find all the characters special because they each have their own individual role to play. I enjoy how they fight when stressed, but always remain to help each other in the end.
June 15, 2020
Ok Bryan is a HILARIOUS POV character. I flashed back to the first time I read Percy Jackson because I COULD NOT stop cracking up. The snide commentary, the random asides to infodump about things, the PANACHE, just. So good.
I do appreciate that this was really easily read as a stand-alone, as I had not read the first novel (I got this when I was very young from an aunt or my godmother, not sure which and found it again while cleaning shelves). The plot itself was...predictable, kinda slow, but Bryan made me want to keep reading. Also, I loved the chapter titles. I felt like I was in on a little secret every time I got the reference. Made the 12 year old wannabe theater kid in me leap for joy. IDK if I'd reread this one, but I'm glad that I did read it cause it gave me the context I needed for book four!
I do appreciate that this was really easily read as a stand-alone, as I had not read the first novel (I got this when I was very young from an aunt or my godmother, not sure which and found it again while cleaning shelves). The plot itself was...predictable, kinda slow, but Bryan made me want to keep reading. Also, I loved the chapter titles. I felt like I was in on a little secret every time I got the reference. Made the 12 year old wannabe theater kid in me leap for joy. IDK if I'd reread this one, but I'm glad that I did read it cause it gave me the context I needed for book four!
July 4, 2020
A very enjoyable and fun read, Everyone's a Critic - much like its companion, The Four Dorothys - was a much needed respite during 2020. Highly recommend both novels.
April 28, 2025
Just absolutely love this series even reading it 15 years later as an adult. Still to this day, I think of Bryan whenever I eat a pop tart.
December 1, 2009
Drama! Everyone's a Critic
by Paul Ruditis
243 pgs.
Simon Pulse
ISBN 10: 1-4169-3392-1
It's vacation and there's no school, except for those who are in Drama, staying in for another 2 weeks. Hartley Blackstone, a famous director, choreographer, producer, and a Broadway model, chose Orion Academy to have a talented guy and girl to attend his summer theater program held in New York City. Most likely, each wannabe-It-girl and boy are trying their hardest to show how much talent they've got in front of Blackstone. It could be anyone like Bryan and his best friend, Sam,who could win the approval of Hartley Blackstone, knowing how harsh he can criticize someone. He has the ability to bring someone's hopes up, yet he can crush their hearts within a single word. With this, Bryan would need to do more than displaying his looks.
I think the writing style of Paul Ruditis is okay because I don't think it's too good, but I don't think it's too bad either. How he writes this book isn't too interesting in a way that would totally keep me focused. At times, I'm not sure what he is trying to say and his writing just confuses me.
I don't think that I would recommend this book because if I don't really like it, I'm not sure who would like it. This book had many characters in it and it might even be confusing to differentiate who is who, since there were many "main" characters yet there were many "little" characters. Different things happen throughout this book that make it quite confusing and I'm not sure if others would be able to break this spell and understand what it's talking about.
by Paul Ruditis
243 pgs.
Simon Pulse
ISBN 10: 1-4169-3392-1
It's vacation and there's no school, except for those who are in Drama, staying in for another 2 weeks. Hartley Blackstone, a famous director, choreographer, producer, and a Broadway model, chose Orion Academy to have a talented guy and girl to attend his summer theater program held in New York City. Most likely, each wannabe-It-girl and boy are trying their hardest to show how much talent they've got in front of Blackstone. It could be anyone like Bryan and his best friend, Sam,who could win the approval of Hartley Blackstone, knowing how harsh he can criticize someone. He has the ability to bring someone's hopes up, yet he can crush their hearts within a single word. With this, Bryan would need to do more than displaying his looks.
I think the writing style of Paul Ruditis is okay because I don't think it's too good, but I don't think it's too bad either. How he writes this book isn't too interesting in a way that would totally keep me focused. At times, I'm not sure what he is trying to say and his writing just confuses me.
I don't think that I would recommend this book because if I don't really like it, I'm not sure who would like it. This book had many characters in it and it might even be confusing to differentiate who is who, since there were many "main" characters yet there were many "little" characters. Different things happen throughout this book that make it quite confusing and I'm not sure if others would be able to break this spell and understand what it's talking about.
May 4, 2008
Reviewed by Jeremey for TeensReadToo.com
The cast from Orion is back in a sequel to Paul Ruditis' first DRAMA! story, THE FOUR DOROTHYS. Bryan, Sam, Hope, Holly, Alexis, and Belinda are all prepared for their next "big scene."
The school year is over for those at Orion, but just because academics are done does not mean acting is. During summer break a yearly, mandatory two-week theater camp begins, but instead of establishing a play, something new comes along.
Hartley Blackstone, a Broadway director, is using the two weeks to test all theater majors for a summer apprenticeship. To get this apprenticeship could be two lucky Orion students' big break.
During week one, everyone studies their individual monologues and performs for Hartley. After the performances, Mr. Blackstone critiques everyone's work, leaving nothing but shattered spirits. Now no one wants to go on with auditions.
In week two, Hope and her boyfriend are broken up. Done. Over. Which leads Bryan and Sam to hatch a plan to get Hope and her (ex) boyfriend back together.
This plan will take a lot of time away from Bryan once group auditions start. Will they be prepared? Who will win the summer apprenticeship?
Paul Ruditis' second DRAMA! book is very good. The whole time I was reading I thought, "this is like American Idol meets The Real World" (due to the singing and all of the drama in the book). I felt the story lacked a little in the middle, but was overall interesting to the end.
The cast from Orion is back in a sequel to Paul Ruditis' first DRAMA! story, THE FOUR DOROTHYS. Bryan, Sam, Hope, Holly, Alexis, and Belinda are all prepared for their next "big scene."
The school year is over for those at Orion, but just because academics are done does not mean acting is. During summer break a yearly, mandatory two-week theater camp begins, but instead of establishing a play, something new comes along.
Hartley Blackstone, a Broadway director, is using the two weeks to test all theater majors for a summer apprenticeship. To get this apprenticeship could be two lucky Orion students' big break.
During week one, everyone studies their individual monologues and performs for Hartley. After the performances, Mr. Blackstone critiques everyone's work, leaving nothing but shattered spirits. Now no one wants to go on with auditions.
In week two, Hope and her boyfriend are broken up. Done. Over. Which leads Bryan and Sam to hatch a plan to get Hope and her (ex) boyfriend back together.
This plan will take a lot of time away from Bryan once group auditions start. Will they be prepared? Who will win the summer apprenticeship?
Paul Ruditis' second DRAMA! book is very good. The whole time I was reading I thought, "this is like American Idol meets The Real World" (due to the singing and all of the drama in the book). I felt the story lacked a little in the middle, but was overall interesting to the end.
October 20, 2014
I bought a combo of the first two books as an impulse buy when I was younger. I finally picked the books up after starting to watch Glee on TV, because the books sounded a lot like it. That's so far from the truth it isn't even funny. I loved these books, but in no way is it a copy of Glee.
The second book Everyone's a Critic takes place the summer after the first book. During Orion's summer theatre program, Hartley Blackstone, a well known Broadway producer, comes to select two actors for his acting program in NY. Jasper, Hope, Bryan, and Sam group up to take on the scene for the audition. On top of the stress of that Hope and Drew get into a big fight and break up...again, but is it for really this time? Eric, Sam, and Bryan team up to bring the two love birds together before everyone jets off for summer vacation. Can the crew get it together for the auditions?
I loved this series! First Bryan is so relatable and I felt as though I was in the story. The story was entertaining and kept my interest. Paul Ruditis uses so many facts about the theatre throughout his writing that just add to the real feeling of the story. What I mean is the story is understandable and realistic. After reading the first two, I have really fallen in love with the characters and am interested in reading the next two.
The entire series (1st to 4th)- The Four Dorothys; Everyone's a Critic; Show, Don't Tell; Entrances and Exits
The second book Everyone's a Critic takes place the summer after the first book. During Orion's summer theatre program, Hartley Blackstone, a well known Broadway producer, comes to select two actors for his acting program in NY. Jasper, Hope, Bryan, and Sam group up to take on the scene for the audition. On top of the stress of that Hope and Drew get into a big fight and break up...again, but is it for really this time? Eric, Sam, and Bryan team up to bring the two love birds together before everyone jets off for summer vacation. Can the crew get it together for the auditions?
I loved this series! First Bryan is so relatable and I felt as though I was in the story. The story was entertaining and kept my interest. Paul Ruditis uses so many facts about the theatre throughout his writing that just add to the real feeling of the story. What I mean is the story is understandable and realistic. After reading the first two, I have really fallen in love with the characters and am interested in reading the next two.
The entire series (1st to 4th)- The Four Dorothys; Everyone's a Critic; Show, Don't Tell; Entrances and Exits
November 30, 2010
The book starts of with Hope and Drew breaking up for some unidentified reason. Bryan and Suzie are sitting on a "patch of sand" and sitting back and watching the lunch time "entertainment". Bryan Stark and his group of friends are at Eric Whitman's house for his summer party. The first chapter ends with Bryan stuck between his former friend Drew and his former best friend's new best friend and Sam and Hope. Orion Academy has a yearly summer Theatrical Progam-and this year, it has something new to it. Mr. Blackstone, the headmaster of the super-super exclusive school (that makes Orion look like its normal) called Hartley Blackstone Acting School, has left two spots open for one Orion Academy girl and boy.
Except..it won't be as easy as everyone thinks.
Mr. Blackstone is known for being absolutely harsh when commenting on somebody's work. But through the midst of the excitement, Hope's break-up with Drew is ruining Sam, Bryan and Jason's performance for the audition. Will they be able to pull everything back together in time?
Copyright 2010 http://www.midnightmermaid.blogspot.com
Except..it won't be as easy as everyone thinks.
Mr. Blackstone is known for being absolutely harsh when commenting on somebody's work. But through the midst of the excitement, Hope's break-up with Drew is ruining Sam, Bryan and Jason's performance for the audition. Will they be able to pull everything back together in time?
Copyright 2010 http://www.midnightmermaid.blogspot.com
June 15, 2011
Just okay. I liked the first one better. The story was just okay and the plot was a little dry and boring at times. The only things that kept me reading it was the musical references and the main character. He is so funny and sarcastic and interesting and enjoyable to read about. So if you don't like acting or theater then don't read this book.
Actor-photographer Bryan Stark is glad summer has finally come...well almost. At the very exclusive Orion Academy, he and his fellow Drama Geeks must endure 2 weeks of Orion's summer theater program before their vacation officially begins. But this year is different. Hartley Blackstone is the most famous Broadway director and producer in the US and is holding auditions for 2 spots in his acting school in New York City. Bryan thinks that he and his best friend Sam have a chance at stealing the spots, but competition is fierce and Blackstone's critiques and harsh. Now, Bryan isn't so sure what to make of himself as an actor: is he really as good as he thinks he is?
Actor-photographer Bryan Stark is glad summer has finally come...well almost. At the very exclusive Orion Academy, he and his fellow Drama Geeks must endure 2 weeks of Orion's summer theater program before their vacation officially begins. But this year is different. Hartley Blackstone is the most famous Broadway director and producer in the US and is holding auditions for 2 spots in his acting school in New York City. Bryan thinks that he and his best friend Sam have a chance at stealing the spots, but competition is fierce and Blackstone's critiques and harsh. Now, Bryan isn't so sure what to make of himself as an actor: is he really as good as he thinks he is?
July 19, 2012
Not a book to sit down and read for intellectual stimulation but is a breezy (I finished it in a few hours)expose of high school theater. Not particularly well written but amusing nonetheless. One of the key plot points that you would like to be resolved is simply brushed under the rug and ignored. Though from my inkling and the way the book ended I think it will probably be addressed in the next book. I spent the whole book reliving my high school theater days (good and bad) and all the drama associated with it. I did like all the references to plays and musicals. A few had me laughing out loud. Overall a nice brainless read that will definitely strike a chord with anyone who survived high school theater.
Read
July 2, 2011Yawn. After reading the first of this series i was expecting much better. Missing is the snippy repartee between high school characters. Gone was the content dependent theater wit. Gone is the "real" experience of high school theater. Instead it's been replaced by an improbably storyline about an audition for Broadway's greatest director. It's as if the author could not decide if he wanted to write 1: the book version of the OC; or 2: the high school version of A Chorus Line; or 3: a throwback to the Sweet Valley or Travelling pants books. He didn't write any of those. I have better hope for the next book.
November 15, 2009
The sequel to The Four Dorothys, this book was much better than the first in that it gave us more satisfying characterisations and didn't dissolve into total lunacy by the end. Reality seeps a bit more into the character's lives, and poor Bryan discovers something about himself that throws his whole life into whack. The teenagers seem to have to cope with more real-life issues here, and therefore the book doesn't seem as off-kilter as the first. Looking forward to the third!
April 29, 2010
It was pretty good. Much better than the previous. I must say, the ending was pretty disappointing. She lost to HOLLY?!?!?! Really? Could you have picked a worse outcome? I love the window, and i really love Bryan's calling. I love the drama, and the contest, and all of the mini-problems. All in all, it was a pretty good book. Props to Paul Ruditis.
December 26, 2013
A very easy and fun addition to the drama series. I find the ending slightly unpredictable and just not fair to sam what so ever, but very interesting and a good twist at the end. (if you read this book, you will see what i mean by unfair to Sam ;) A very pretty okay-written novel plot for a transition from actor to recognition as a director, but it is definitely enjoyable.
July 6, 2012
I always had the slight fear that the second drama book might not be as good as the first, but this one definitely was. I loved it. I really did. The idea, too, is the kind of thing I fall for. More great references, more great witty banter... My cup of tea.
October 21, 2014
I don't know why I like these; guilty pleasure? I do enjoy the high school theatre setting. It makes me appreciate my students even more! I also got a couple of warm-up/improv activities from this book that I can use in class and rehearsal. What can I say?
June 28, 2008
More of the same only with added teen DRAMA. Funny and fun, good beach reading.
October 25, 2012
It was actually not what I expected at all I honestly thought it would have been more intersting but it wasn't really
May 2, 2008
i really like this series, even if it is meant for teens. this book cracked me up.
October 13, 2013
better than the first!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews