03 August 2008

Book: Attack of the Theater People by Marc Acito


The wacky crew from How I Paid for College is back in this entertaining and even more silly sequel, set two years later. Edward has been kicked out of Juillard for being “too jazz hands” for them. Doing what anyone without a job, a home or a future, he lands a gig as party motivator.

From there, he gets caught up with Chad, who uses him to get information from the parties he goes to. Before you can say insider trading, Edward must figure out how to save himself from the SEC, his father, his ex-stepmother and a cute (but way gay for Edward) Asian named Hung.

The second trip into the 1980's world of Edward is much more richer than the first, as the story becomes a near classic screwball comedy, laced together with an even zanier musical theater.

Acito weaves an even better story here, giving you a wonderful trip back to the eighties when Starliner Express was considered the best musical around. All the characters seem to grow a bit, including Edward, and the often silly plot never falls into parody. The bright spot includes Edwards continued love for Doug, and at 13 year-old stalker who thinks he’s aa Veejay from the British MTV (which did not exist).

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