Roman and Jewel

All Black 16-year-old Jerzie Jhames wants is to become a Broadway actor—and maybe to change her name (a nod to her home state) to something “more amazing than ever.” After seven auditions for Roman and Jewel, the upcoming Broadway “hip-hopera” reinterpretation of Romeo and Juliet, Jerzie is informed by the creative team that she’s the best Jewel they have seen—but she’ll have to play standby to “R&B sensation, double platinum, Grammy award winner” Cinny if she wants to join the production. When a dark-haired, blue-eyed white “pretty boy” accidentally smacks a door into her face at rehearsal, Jerzie discovers that the initiator of her awkward-yet-flirty encounter is actually the 19-year-old leading man, Zeppelin Reid. But their instant chemistry and growing bond is put to the test when a secretly recorded video of Jerzie outperforming Cinny in a romantic scene with Zepp goes viral. Tensions begin rising between Cinny and Jerzie as the latter tries to resist the intriguing, Broadway-quoting Zepp at Cinny’s orders while navigating her newfound fame. While inclusive, most of the cast doesn’t feel fully fleshed out, but this is a fun romp for Broadway buffs and contemporary romance fans alike. Ages 13–up. Agent: Uwe Stender, Triada US. [em](Jan.) [/em]