Two theater-mad, self-invented fabulositon Ohio teenagers. One boy, one girl. One gay, one straight. One black, one white. And SUMMER DRAMA CAMP. I...
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Feb 15, 2009
Kevin
rated it: 
I debated 4 or 5 stars-- it's not as good as Frankie Landau-Banks, but it still basically took me apart. I mean I read it while I was stuck in an airport on my birthday, so emotions were pretty close to the skin, but still. Loved it. If you did drama in high school you have no business not reading this.
One thing I DO want to say though: E. Lockhart (and other YA authors) does this thing in more than one book: main character writes or records her negative feelings about a certain othe More...
One thing I DO want to say though: E. Lockhart (and other YA authors) does this thing in more than one book: main character writes or records her negative feelings about a certain othe More...
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May 29, 2011
Jillian -always aspiring-
rated it: 
(Actual Rating: 2.5 stars)
In all honesty, Dramarama is much more a two-star read than a three-star one, but I couldn't stomach the idea of giving an E. Lockhart book so paltry of a rating. (Thus, I settled for two and a half stars.) I mean, this is the woman who gave us The Boyfriend List with self-deprecating Ruby Oliver and The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks! What went wrong that I even had the inclination to give this book a straight two stars?
The stor More...
In all honesty, Dramarama is much more a two-star read than a three-star one, but I couldn't stomach the idea of giving an E. Lockhart book so paltry of a rating. (Thus, I settled for two and a half stars.) I mean, this is the woman who gave us The Boyfriend List with self-deprecating Ruby Oliver and The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks! What went wrong that I even had the inclination to give this book a straight two stars?
The stor More...
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May 29, 2011
Tatiana
rated it: 
This is a book about Sarah (aka Sadye) - a girl whose ambitions are too big for her small and conventional Ohio town. Her life just doesn't have that razzle-dazzle that she craves. She dreams of being special, noticed, a center of attention. She thinks musical theater is the place where she rightfully belongs. However, after spending a summer at a drama camp, Sadye realizes that her talents are not adequate to her ambitions. The gap between her and her more talented friends widens and she finds
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Jul 02, 2011
Fatesocruel
rated it:
After reading Dramarama, I have decided that I really, truly like E. Lockhart’s writing. I enjoyed The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, and I absolutely loved this. I like that all of her characters have deep, consistent flaws that affect everything they do, that not everything works out into a neat package for them, and that they are strong despite, or because, of it.
This book is about my people, and it was incredible to see how much of my life is in those pages (and More...
This book is about my people, and it was incredible to see how much of my life is in those pages (and More...
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Feb 28, 2008
Mara
rated it:
E(mily) Prescott has clearly been to drama camp. She gets that part of the book right-on. The rest of the book is quite a disappointment, though. The characters are flat; our narrator, Sadye, is set up to learn a lot through the people she meets, the criticisms she gets, and the experiences she has at drama camp, but she doesn't. She makes a grand sacrifice that gets her kicked out of camp, but not because she's really learned anything, except that her best friend, Demi, has more talent than she
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Jul 20, 2008
lisa
rated it: 
Wow, as a self proclaimed theatre geek and drama teacher, I completely adored this book from beginning to end. It was charming, cute, current, relevant, refreshing, and honest, infused with fun references to Broadway musicals, theatre facts, and approaches to acting.
But theatre is really just the backdrop here: switching between the first person narration of the main character Sadye and transcripts of voice recordings between Sadye and her friends as they document a summer at drama More...
But theatre is really just the backdrop here: switching between the first person narration of the main character Sadye and transcripts of voice recordings between Sadye and her friends as they document a summer at drama More...
Jul 06, 2011
Pikachu
rated it:
tl;dr review: So much drama.
Dramarama is one of those amazing YA books that explores a facet of the vast wilderness of young adult life. You can totally picture some Aussie guy in safari khakis saying, "Here we have the wild drama students in their natural habitat. Watch as we get a little bit closer to hear them sing "Take Back Your Mink" from Guys and Dolls. The main character Sadye, is easy to relate to as a protagonist because she is just superficial enough to be a More...
Dramarama is one of those amazing YA books that explores a facet of the vast wilderness of young adult life. You can totally picture some Aussie guy in safari khakis saying, "Here we have the wild drama students in their natural habitat. Watch as we get a little bit closer to hear them sing "Take Back Your Mink" from Guys and Dolls. The main character Sadye, is easy to relate to as a protagonist because she is just superficial enough to be a More...
Jun 17, 2011
Karen
rated it:
This book was a completely new perspective for me. I have never been anything even remotely resembling a theatre kid, and I'm not big on musicals in my free time (I've only ever seen Wicked and Little Shop of Horrors). So it was kind of fun for me getting to learn about the whole process and seeing how it feels to perform in the theatre.
The writing was clever and comfortable, which I loved. And I completely related to Sadye, who couldn't decide whether or not she actually had any talent. P More...
The writing was clever and comfortable, which I loved. And I completely related to Sadye, who couldn't decide whether or not she actually had any talent. P More...
Feb 01, 2011
Allison
rated it:
I'll admit, when I first started this book I groaned "Oh no, theater kids?!" I never got the theater kids in high school, so I figured I'd hate the characters in this book. Instead, Lockhart really shows the personalities and insecurities of a small group of characters, and especially gets into the head of the main character, Sadye.
"In Brenton, Ohio, where I'm from, committing suicide would be redundant.
It's a nothing town, as lacking in character as Cream of Wheat More...
"In Brenton, Ohio, where I'm from, committing suicide would be redundant.
It's a nothing town, as lacking in character as Cream of Wheat More...
Nov 17, 2010
Margaret H.
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Nov 01, 2009
Lisa
rated it:
Best buds Sarah, transformed to Sadye, and gay, Black Demi are the only two artsy-drama types in their Ohio town. They get into a drama camp where they're surrounded by an assortment of drama-teens including Nanette who has been in professional shows but whose parents use all their children as money-making actors, and gay, self-absorbed blond Blair who Demi initially falls for before falling for chubby, nice Lyle. Sadye learns that she's not as talented as the others and she spends a lot of time
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Aug 20, 2009
Brandi
rated it:
In Dramarama by E. Lockhart, we meet Sarah Paulson. Sarah is unhappy with her life. One day she makes a drastic change in hopes of escaping her boring life in Ohio. She reads about auditions for a prestigious summer drama camp. While waiting for her chance to perform, she meets Douglas Howard, Jr., or Demi, as he prefers to be called. The two teens click instantly over their love of the theater and Liza Minnelli. Demi convinces her to change her name to Sadye in order to get in touch with her in
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Feb 10, 2009
Steph Su
rated it:
Upcoming high school seniors Sadye (pronounced Say-dee, formerly Sarah) and her gay best male friend Demi are finally escaping their bland Midwestern town of Brenton, Ohio to Wildewood, a top-notch drama summer camp. The two friends are beyond excited to feel like they finally belong, to make new friends with similar interests, and to prove that they have what it takes to make it in the big league.
And the summer goes well—at least for Demi. He, with his insuppressibly big personality More...
And the summer goes well—at least for Demi. He, with his insuppressibly big personality More...
Feb 16, 2011
Maggie
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jun 17, 2009
Inge
rated it:
I couldn't get enough of this book for two reasons: 1) The skilled narration of Kate Rainders on the audiobook, who effortlessly makes the distinctions between the diverse characters in this book. From the tiny, teenage starlet to the big bellowing stage director, the narration is flawless and entertaining. Rainders nails the way that musical theatre people talk to each other. The characters maintain a sort of sing-songy lilt throughout the audiobook, always one step away from breaking out into
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May 13, 2011
Johnp
rated it:
Sarah (later known as Sadye) only feels alive in her boring Ohio town when she's dancing. She auditions for a spot in the Wildwood Summer Institute for the Performing Arts - and gets it! What follows is a view of life inside the wild, unpredictable, and sometimes not-so-friendly world of theatre. Sadye and her close friend Demi go very separate ways within Wildwood. While Demi becomes the newest prospect, Sadye has a hard time getting the kind of acceptance she thinks she deserves. There a
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May 18, 2009
Ellen
rated it:
Personally, I wasn't a fan of Dramarama. I really like the beginning, all the possibilities of where the book could go, and all the originality, but the ending was a let down.
I really felt like the book went nowhere. Sayde didn't seem to learn anything. The emotion in this book was wonderful, and I really like E. Lockhart's style of writing, but I just felt like Sayde's journey through the book resulted in nothing. She had tons of opportunities to listen to her teachers, but she didn More...
I really felt like the book went nowhere. Sayde didn't seem to learn anything. The emotion in this book was wonderful, and I really like E. Lockhart's style of writing, but I just felt like Sayde's journey through the book resulted in nothing. She had tons of opportunities to listen to her teachers, but she didn More...
Apr 25, 2011
Amy
rated it:
Sayde and Demi, two technicolor theater fanatics living in the drab grey world of Benton Ohio, and best friends, get accepted to Wildewood Summer Institute. Wildewood is a prestigious theater camp for high school students. Sayde and Demi believe that Wildewood will forever change their lives and cement their future stardom. Wildewood does change their lives, but not in the ways they were expecting.
Though this is my least favorite E. Lockhart book thus far, that doesn't mean much because I More...
Though this is my least favorite E. Lockhart book thus far, that doesn't mean much because I More...
Oct 01, 2010
Shanyn
rated it:
I chose Dramarama as a surgery recovery book because the topic seemed light and fun, and I also love summer camp. I'm not sure why I hadn't read it before (or really heard about it) - someone mentioned it randomly somewhere, and also said it was about a drama summer camp... so my next trip to the library involved grabbing it off the shelf.
I will admit, there were a TON of references in this book I did not "get." I have seen Wicked and The Lion King (does that one even count More...
I will admit, there were a TON of references in this book I did not "get." I have seen Wicked and The Lion King (does that one even count More...
Oct 03, 2010
Liz B
rated it:
After abandoning the Brilliance Audio craptastic recording:
No star rating. I abandoned it because of the horrors of the reader. They hired a Broadway actress and she read like she was emoting to the 50th row. Also, imagine a small squeaky blonde (think "Popular" from Wicked) trying to voice a gay black teenage boy.
Altogether yikes.
I'm loving E. Lockhart these days, so I'll probably give the actual book a try.
After reading the book:
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No star rating. I abandoned it because of the horrors of the reader. They hired a Broadway actress and she read like she was emoting to the 50th row. Also, imagine a small squeaky blonde (think "Popular" from Wicked) trying to voice a gay black teenage boy.
Altogether yikes.
I'm loving E. Lockhart these days, so I'll probably give the actual book a try.
After reading the book:
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May 04, 2010
Apzmarshl
rated it:
Two teens from small town Ohio dream of making it big on stage. Demi is gay and black and determined to leave small town forever.....leave behind what small town expects him to be and what his parents grit their teeth and bear. Sadye (Sarah) can't wait to leave behind being a nobody, that nobody understands. So the two bestfriends audition for summer drama camp.
Once they make it to Wildewood Academy; one of them sees their dreams quickly coming to fruition while the other realizes tha More...
Once they make it to Wildewood Academy; one of them sees their dreams quickly coming to fruition while the other realizes tha More...
Dec 09, 2009
Stephanie
rated it:
Drama/Theatre
Sarah has always felt that she had too big of a personality for Brenton, Ohio, so when she meets Demi, a flamboyant, gay, and fabulous kindred spirit, she becomes Sadye, and the two teenagers become best of friends. They spend their summer at a Theatre camp, documenting their experiences on tape for posterity, positive that they are destined for Broadway. Throughout the summer, Sadye learns a lot about herself and about her friendship with Demi, both good and bad. She al More...
Sarah has always felt that she had too big of a personality for Brenton, Ohio, so when she meets Demi, a flamboyant, gay, and fabulous kindred spirit, she becomes Sadye, and the two teenagers become best of friends. They spend their summer at a Theatre camp, documenting their experiences on tape for posterity, positive that they are destined for Broadway. Throughout the summer, Sadye learns a lot about herself and about her friendship with Demi, both good and bad. She al More...
Sep 04, 2009
Laura
rated it:
Sarah "Sayde" Paulson is stuck in small town Ohio until she decided to audition for Wildewood Academy, an elite theater boarding school summer program. At the auditions, she meets Demi her new gay, black, show tunes obsessed best friend. Miraculously, they both get into Wildewood and head off for the summer of their dreams of auditions, theater productions and real life drama of romance, friendship, and, of course, jealousy. As Demi rises to become the star of the Academy, Sayde beg
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Sep 15, 2009
Heather
rated it:
Like all of Lockhart’s books, Dramarama tackles issues relating to individuality and self discovery. At the start, we are introduced to Sarah aka, Sayde and her best friend Demi. Sayde and Demi have dynamic and dramatic personalities with larger than life dreams for themselves and their futures. Discontent with their small town life, they will do anything they can to get away from the monotony that fills their lives. With their love of all things Broadway, Sayde and Demi audition for a chanc
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Nov 04, 2010
Renee
rated it:
Back in the good ol' undergraduate days, the students in one of my lit courses spent an entire class period arguing with the professor about Briony, the main character in McEwan's Atonement. Our take was, "this kid is one of the most manipulative, wenchy characters we've ever read, and it spoiled the whole book." She argued that since Briony was a fictional character, we should be able to look past her faults in order to evaluate the plot and technique of the novel. Every time I come
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Feb 21, 2011
Stephanie
rated it:
Beautiful, heart-breaking, and funny, all at once.
It felt very strange to read this so soon after reading Louise Rennison's Withering Tights, which shares the same basic concept (tall teenage girl goes to a performing arts summer camp, realizes she's not as talented as a lot of the people around her, and struggles with love and friendship and self worth), with totally different results. Dramarama is a black comedy, with a lot of sadness and some scenes that were really painful to re More...
It felt very strange to read this so soon after reading Louise Rennison's Withering Tights, which shares the same basic concept (tall teenage girl goes to a performing arts summer camp, realizes she's not as talented as a lot of the people around her, and struggles with love and friendship and self worth), with totally different results. Dramarama is a black comedy, with a lot of sadness and some scenes that were really painful to re More...
Jul 07, 2009
Sarah-Greenbeanteenqueen
rated it:
Ok, I admit that maybe the reason I liked this one so much is that I spent every summer between 5th and 10th grade at Camellot Academy, a summer fine arts camp and learned dance, drama, voice, guitar, art and then worked on a musical every afternoon. And when I graduated out of camp, I returned and taught dance and drama for the Jr. Division (grades preK-3). I was also a total drama geek in high school and did pretty much any show I could.
So maybe my own drama experiences made this More...
So maybe my own drama experiences made this More...
Feb 23, 2009
Molly (Surrounded By Words)
rated it:
Having done some theater in college, I loved revisiting the world of blocking, memorizing lines, thinking the director has lost their mind, and the thrill of performing on stage. There is nothing else like it in the world.
E. Lockhart writes with such humor and honesty that you're immediately sucked into the characters she's created. The book is told from Sadye's point of view. I will confess that there were time when she irritated the snot out of me and I wanted to shake some sense int More...
E. Lockhart writes with such humor and honesty that you're immediately sucked into the characters she's created. The book is told from Sadye's point of view. I will confess that there were time when she irritated the snot out of me and I wanted to shake some sense int More...
Jan 18, 2009
Meghan
rated it:
This is probs a three-star review but I knew I would have to give this book four stars the second I read the Bob Cuccioli reference. We all have our own rubrics. I guess the extra star is for Knowing Your Audience.
This is probably the second-best E. Lockhart book I've read. It's not as smooth as Frankie Landau-Banks, but it's getting there! And the subject matter is near and dear to my heart so I raced right through it. I really admire Ms. Lockhart's ability to let her characters (a) More...
This is probably the second-best E. Lockhart book I've read. It's not as smooth as Frankie Landau-Banks, but it's getting there! And the subject matter is near and dear to my heart so I raced right through it. I really admire Ms. Lockhart's ability to let her characters (a) More...
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May 06, 2009
Theresa
rated it:
I liked this a lot more than I thought I would. It's really probably three and a half stars because the beginning is way too cheesy and cliche, but then I couldn't quit reading it, so I guess I bumped it up. Complaint: she didn't go nearly in depth enough for my taste of the complicatedness of Sayde's feelings of wanting to kiss Demi. I know I'm not the only girl who has fallen for gay boys, and since I like to see myself reflected in characters (because I'm self-centered, or whatever, I like
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