Playing Juliet

Beth Sondquist, age twelve and a half, dreams of playing the part of Juliet.

For now shes just the cat in Cinderella, but one day, shes determined to become a real actress.

But all her hopes for an acting career come crashing down when the Oakfield Childrens Theater is slated to be closed.

Its new owner has decided to make it into an adult theater, a real theater.

Beth and her best friend, Zandy, are willing to do whatever it takes to save the theater, but their plans quickly go awry.

When Beths father catches her sneaking back into her bedroom window well past bedtime, Beth is in big, big trouble.With eviction looming, the childrens theater director decides to close the theater with the same play the theater opened with fifty years agoRomeo and Juliet.

But Beths grounded for the next two weeks, and she wont be able to try out.

How will Beth pull off playing Juliet if she cant even make tryouts?Playing Juliet is funny and honest and celebrates bravery and doing the right thing even when it gets you into trouble.

Its about having the courage to go after what you want and making your dreams come true.

Its also about friendship and family. As an almost-thirteen-year-old, Beth has a unique bond with thirteen-year-old Juliet, and she eventually recognizes just how silly and immature Juliets decisions are.

Only Beth can play Juliet as the kid that she is. With a little bit of luck, maybe shell get her chance.