"A musical based on a novel can never be the same as its source material, and it isn’t meant to be. But throw out too many of the original elements and you leave an audience wondering how you lost your way."
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"3/5 Stars. If you don't think about it too hard, the show is good-natured, escapist fun...But for a musical about finding a way to write your own unique narrative, 'Between the Lines' is filled with a lot of clichés and stock characters...And although it touches on dark subjects like depression and suicide, it is too lighthearted to explore such cutting questions...This musical is just good enough to leave you wanting more from it."
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"Beyond the derivative echoes, the production shines. ... Likely to appeal to young audiences, 'Between the Lines' ultimately is a celebration of the surprising and even game-changing payoffs of reading. That’s a message that hits the right note."
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"The supporting characters tend to land the best tunes...while the leads are saddled with bland ballads."
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"Like most new musicals, 'Between the Lines' is a bit overstuffed."
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The new show at the Kiser is by no means terrible -- it has flashes of wit, some catchy songs, nifty design touches, and one of the most appealing casts in town -- but it is also hugely derivative, seemingly assembled from a teen musical kit of parts. Its fanciful story is built on a shaky foundation, making it difficult to go along with its imaginative premise; it practically invites you to pick it apart.
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"As a genre musical, 'Between the Lines' does not break new ground, nor does it invigorate the formula. The performances are quite good and, visually, it's quite impressive, but the show overstays its welcome at nearly two-and-one-half hours long."
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"Belying its title, 'Between the Lines' doesn’t exactly contain much in the way of subtext. But there’s plenty enough surface charm to please its target audience."
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