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Over the Moon: A Musical Play
Master storyteller and bestselling author Jodi Picoult teams up with Jake van Leer and Ellen Wilber to bring you an original musical, sure to breathe life into any middle school and high school drama curriculum.
Part Shakespearean comedy and part Fractured Fairy Tales , Over the Moon is all fun. Narrated by a cross-dressing Hairy Godmother (no, that’s not a typo), the story begins when Luna (the moon) descends to a small town on earth disguised as a boy, and sets out to help humans find love. But Luna herself falls in love with Prince Jack...who’s in love with Felicity...who has fallen for Luna.
On the way to happily ever after are a steady stream of clever puns and topical jokes about American Idol , universal health care, Bernie Madoff, and just about every fairy tale creature you’ve ever heard of! With nineteen original hum-worthy songs and plenty of spots to tailor the play to any city or town, Over the Moon is the perfect choice for every school looking to perform an energetic show that’s fresh, funny, and timeless.
Part Shakespearean comedy and part Fractured Fairy Tales , Over the Moon is all fun. Narrated by a cross-dressing Hairy Godmother (no, that’s not a typo), the story begins when Luna (the moon) descends to a small town on earth disguised as a boy, and sets out to help humans find love. But Luna herself falls in love with Prince Jack...who’s in love with Felicity...who has fallen for Luna.
On the way to happily ever after are a steady stream of clever puns and topical jokes about American Idol , universal health care, Bernie Madoff, and just about every fairy tale creature you’ve ever heard of! With nineteen original hum-worthy songs and plenty of spots to tailor the play to any city or town, Over the Moon is the perfect choice for every school looking to perform an energetic show that’s fresh, funny, and timeless.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 4, 2011
20 people are currently reading
1383 people want to read
About the author
Jodi Picoult
112 books96.2k followersJodi Picoult is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty-eight novels, including Wish You Were Here, Small Great Things, Leaving Time, and My Sister’s Keeper, and, with daughter Samantha van Leer, two young adult novels, Between the Lines and Off the Page. Picoult lives in New Hampshire.
MAD HONEY, her new novel co-authored with Jennifer Finney Boylan, is available in hardcover, ebook, and audio on October 4, 2022.
Website: http://www.jodipicoult.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jodipicoult
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jodipicoult
MAD HONEY, her new novel co-authored with Jennifer Finney Boylan, is available in hardcover, ebook, and audio on October 4, 2022.
Website: http://www.jodipicoult.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jodipicoult
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jodipicoult
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 10, 2018
I've never read a musical/play before. So, when I saw that Jodi Picoult wrote one I was so down to try it out. I liked it but I guess I just was expecting more. Mostly because it's from Jodi Picoult and I have read so many freaking books from her.
Now don't get me wrong - I did end up liking this play. I kind of want to see it in person. Maybe I'd fall in love with the play then. I feel like seeing musicals/plays are way better than reading them - but then again, it could just be me.
I'm happy that I've crossed off another Jodi Picoult book and I'm also happy I didn't spend money on it either. However, I could totally see myself rereading it later in life and seeing if my opinion has changed for better/worse.
Now don't get me wrong - I did end up liking this play. I kind of want to see it in person. Maybe I'd fall in love with the play then. I feel like seeing musicals/plays are way better than reading them - but then again, it could just be me.
I'm happy that I've crossed off another Jodi Picoult book and I'm also happy I didn't spend money on it either. However, I could totally see myself rereading it later in life and seeing if my opinion has changed for better/worse.
July 12, 2018
Como enorme entusiasta del teatro musical siempre estoy hambriento por nuevas joyas que devorar y de una u otra forma este libro llegó a mis manos.
Over The Moon toma un poco del concepto de Into the Woods, lo mastica y lo digiere de tal forma que sea accesible para todas las edades(incluso los nombres riman). El musical está dirigido principalmente a niños incluso la autora se toma el tiempo de explicarlo antes de entrar de lleno al libreto.
Tiene muchas referencias a la cultura popular estadounidense, sobre todo de la época en que se publicó. Algunas bromas pegan, otras no tanto pero eso se debe en cierto grado a su naturaleza infantil.
Con un mensaje de igualdad y otro estilo el amor lo puede todo, resulta muy entretenido de leer. Las canciones son sencillas, pero de nuevo es un musical familiar.
No cambió mi vida como "Dear Evan Hansen" o "Wicked", pero no llega al nivel de "Nine"(esa película es horrible).
Lectura ligera, un cuento de hadas.
Over The Moon toma un poco del concepto de Into the Woods, lo mastica y lo digiere de tal forma que sea accesible para todas las edades(incluso los nombres riman). El musical está dirigido principalmente a niños incluso la autora se toma el tiempo de explicarlo antes de entrar de lleno al libreto.
Tiene muchas referencias a la cultura popular estadounidense, sobre todo de la época en que se publicó. Algunas bromas pegan, otras no tanto pero eso se debe en cierto grado a su naturaleza infantil.
Con un mensaje de igualdad y otro estilo el amor lo puede todo, resulta muy entretenido de leer. Las canciones son sencillas, pero de nuevo es un musical familiar.
No cambió mi vida como "Dear Evan Hansen" o "Wicked", pero no llega al nivel de "Nine"(esa película es horrible).
Lectura ligera, un cuento de hadas.
January 27, 2023
First time reading a play in a true play format in a while (if first overall??). I did enjoy this but would maybe prefer to listen pot this as an audiobook or better see the play in person. It’s hard to fall in love with something that has been made to seen and not read.
Or maybe it’s because it’s a kids play? I just found it not as movable as most of Jodi’s writing. I just can’t put my finger on what it was that didn’t gel with me.
Happy to cross off the last of Jodi Picoult’s non-novel writings in my quest to final reading everything she has written by the end of the year.
Or maybe it’s because it’s a kids play? I just found it not as movable as most of Jodi’s writing. I just can’t put my finger on what it was that didn’t gel with me.
Happy to cross off the last of Jodi Picoult’s non-novel writings in my quest to final reading everything she has written by the end of the year.
July 18, 2017
I have expectations from Jodi Picoult, and I'm not sure these were met here. I enjoyed the quaintness of the story though, and a few quotes spoke directly to me:
"...he would be reading a book the moment he died."
"Thought a prince would save me, set me on a throne. No one ever told me that I could do it alone!"
"Every word he whispers is a secret tune."
"...he would be reading a book the moment he died."
"Thought a prince would save me, set me on a throne. No one ever told me that I could do it alone!"
"Every word he whispers is a secret tune."
May 5, 2018
Read this in one sitting. It might be cute performed but it read pretty poorly. The jokes were cheesy and overall I wanted it to be cleverer. Jodi Picoult is my favorite author so I was sorely disappointed by this.
January 13, 2019
3.5 out of 5 rating
November 4, 2022
PG: PARENTAL ADVISORY: Conflict and Aggression are limited or moderate. May contain mild profanity suggestive language and brief scenes of nudity.
E:Easy: 3rd grade Vocabulary
E:Easy: 3rd grade Vocabulary
July 9, 2023
Very cute storyline, I can absolutely see where this would be great TYA. Some corny jokes, and I wish there was a recording somewhere to be able to hear the music.
January 15, 2014
I really wanted to like this better than I actually ended up liking it. The reason I was so interested in it is that I am trying to write a musical for kids, too. I really wanted to see what the format was of such a venture. I wanted to see how much story there was and compare that to how much music there was. How are stage changes made? How many characters can be effectively used? Who writes the play part? Who writes the music? Who does the lyrics?
I am not at all sorry that I bought the book. It has helped me a lot with my ideas about my musical and has helped me figure out answers for my own efforts (I currently have too much story and once I flesh out the parts that I still MUST include in order for the story to make sense, I will also have too much music. That makes me a bit sad, but I think I am right in my assessment.)
Nevertheless, I must admit, I was disappointed in the story. It is clever and amusing and fun, but, for me, it lacks depth. It is mostly just clever, amusing, and fun. That is probably great for getting real students in real schools to perform it. Middle school crowds love humor and light drama. I am not sure why I am not quite satisfied with that.
My music teacher and I have played through some of the songs in the book and there are a couple that I really like. It could be that there is the depth I long for when I put the musical and the theatrical parts together.
For now, I like the story my musical is based on better (Patricia Wrede's Dealing with Dragons), but my music isn't nearly as competent as Ellen Wilber's and my lyrics also need polishing, compared to Jodi Picoult's. I guess that is about what I would expect. I still need to do a lot of work.
I am not at all sorry that I bought the book. It has helped me a lot with my ideas about my musical and has helped me figure out answers for my own efforts (I currently have too much story and once I flesh out the parts that I still MUST include in order for the story to make sense, I will also have too much music. That makes me a bit sad, but I think I am right in my assessment.)
Nevertheless, I must admit, I was disappointed in the story. It is clever and amusing and fun, but, for me, it lacks depth. It is mostly just clever, amusing, and fun. That is probably great for getting real students in real schools to perform it. Middle school crowds love humor and light drama. I am not sure why I am not quite satisfied with that.
My music teacher and I have played through some of the songs in the book and there are a couple that I really like. It could be that there is the depth I long for when I put the musical and the theatrical parts together.
For now, I like the story my musical is based on better (Patricia Wrede's Dealing with Dragons), but my music isn't nearly as competent as Ellen Wilber's and my lyrics also need polishing, compared to Jodi Picoult's. I guess that is about what I would expect. I still need to do a lot of work.
January 12, 2011
I could just imagine how much fun this musical would be to see preformed by the local school. It hits fairy tales with female empowerment through an athletic princess who is trying to follow "The Rules" to catch her prince and guest appearances from all of your favorite Mother Goose characters. There are some great double entredres that might fly over the heads of younger kids, but will keep the adults in their seats.
The commentary on the current social situation and pointed jabs at politics will keep everyone on their toes waiting to hear the next almost groan worthy joke, well, the adults might groan, but the kids will be rolling in the aisles.
The commentary on the current social situation and pointed jabs at politics will keep everyone on their toes waiting to hear the next almost groan worthy joke, well, the adults might groan, but the kids will be rolling in the aisles.
February 18, 2011
A wonderfully whimsical and witty play, written for youth--complete with music to show songs in the back! Wasn't sure exactly what this was when I read about it, but it would be a great play for junior high-ish age.
January 26, 2013
Don't waste your time with this one. I felt like I was stuck somewhere between a bad Disney fairytale and Shrek. While some of the dialogue was witty, most of it was bad jokes and puns. Jodi needs to stick to writing novels.
December 3, 2010
Another soon to be released book I reviewed for LMC - this one is a play - would love to see it performed! Recommended!
July 13, 2015
The only thing I didn't like was that I couldn't get ahold of any music, although I searched everywhere.
December 31, 2015
Like Donald and Daisy but with pants. <3
February 5, 2016
This play would be really fun to put on with young actors!
September 4, 2020
Rating: 5/5
Review: Lot's of puns and a bundle of.. nostalgia.
Review: Lot's of puns and a bundle of.. nostalgia.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews