What's the Name of That Book??? discussion

I read this book in the late 1980's. It is about a high school production of THE TEMPEST and has a male lead character who plays Ariel. He starts to date the student playing Miranda (maybe named Susan?) but has feelings for Candy, another student who plays Caliban. Candy is a full-figured girl. The male lead has a father who doesn't want his son to be an actor. I think the author was male. I remember there is also a best friend guy who dates Candy. The male lead (who's name I cannot remember at all) keeps a diary and really discusses his romance with Susan.
Thanks!

Bump

I remember this one and it's driving me crazy! A character named Miranda is not playing the Miranda character, she's on the shipwrecked boat, Susan plays Miranda, main character (can't remember his name either) is short and mortified to be cast as Ariel who he feels should be a girl. And Candy loses weight during the story and becomes the love interest.

I'm absolutely positive that I've read this, but I can't recall it, no matter how I try! The only title I can come up with is Marilyn Singer's The Course Of True Love Never Did Run Smooth, which has a similar theme and I read about the same time -- but I know is not the right book. Every week or so I try a new set of search terms; we've got to figure this one out!

Thanks, all! I'll keep looking for it.

No Shakespeare Allowed?

There's also Romeo and Juliet--Together (and Alive!) at Last, but it's the wrong play and looks too young.

Or maybe Trying Hard to Hear You, but I don't remember which play they were doing.

Jennifer, have you checked these Goodreads Lists? (Many of these books have multiple cover images.)

- Rewriting Shakespeare (YA Edition)

- YA Theatre

Rainbowheart wrote: "Or maybe Trying Hard to Hear You, but I don't remember which play they were doing."

Thanks but this book is way older. I read it in the late 1980's.

Kris wrote: "Jennifer, have you checked these Goodreads Lists? (Many of these books have multiple cover images.)

- Rewriting Shakespeare (YA Edition)

- YA Theatre"

Not there but I did find some other books that looked interesting!

Cute Is Not a Compliment by Peter Filichia

Here is a short description from NovelList:
Self-conscious about his short height, Jim Carpenter is torn between gorgeous Susan, on whom he has had a crush, and Candy, a friendly but overweight newcomer.

You can see the cover on LibraryThing
https://www.librarything.com/work/594...

Jennifer wrote: "Thanks but this book is way older. I read it in the late 1980's."

Just FYI, Trying Hard to Hear You was first published in '74. It may not be your book, though. I still can't remember which play they were doing.

Tab wrote: "Cute Is Not a Compliment by Peter Filichia

Here is a short description from NovelList:
Self-conscious about his short height, Jim Carpenter is torn between gorgeous..."

OMG! You found it! That is absolutely the book!

Great!