Act 3 (Jack & Louisa)

Authors Andrew Keenan-Bolger and Kate Wetherhead have contributed another charming installment to their Jack & Louisa series. This book is the third in the series, and the story finds mutual lovers of musical theatre experiencing the excitement of summer camp with other MTNs (or “musical theatre nerds”). When they return from camp, Jack wants to direct a show to enter in a competition that their camp friends will attend, while Louisa wants to audition for the community theatre musical. Which theatrical pursuit will they agree to explore? While grappling with artistic choices, the main characters also find themselves dealing with new romantic situations. A previously annoying classmate takes on a new appeal for Louisa, and Jack realizes his attraction to a boy from camp. Although the book’s focus is on rehearsals and performance, the authors handle real life experiences of self-discovery with sensitivity. Readers will be interested to know that the authors have both performed on Broadway in multiple roles, so the theatrical inspiration for the series emerges from genuine knowledge. As a former drama teacher and a lifelong MTN, I have enjoyed reading all of the Jack & Louisa books very much.