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“Where were you when you got your call? Is it something you’ll remember forever?” Brittney asked with what Samantha swore was a giggle.
She most certainly would remember it forever. She debated whether she wanted to tell her new friend why she’d remember everything about getting the call. It would forever stick out in her mind.
“I got the call to come back for a second audition the morning after my husband’s funeral.”
“Samantha!” she gasped. “I am so sorry. I had no idea your husband passed away. How are you even functioning, and here?”
After digging her water bottle out of her bag, she started making her way toward the stage for warm-ups. Brittney followed close behind, waiting for her answer. Explanations wouldn’t be easy. It wasn’t like she could explain to people how relieved she felt to be a widow, so she might as well get used to coming up with a response.
“Things were complicated. We weren’t on good terms. He actually got into a car accident while I was at the audition and was already pronounced dead by the time I got to the hospital. It’s been difficult, but going ahead with things I had already started seems to help.” She resisted the urge to tell her he was on his way to take another woman out. “I don’t keep my phone on me during auditions, and when I finally checked it before heading home, I knew something was wrong.”
Brittney stopped her just before they reached the others. “I’m sorry that happened to you. If you ever need anyone to talk to, I’m a great listener.”
“Thank you. I just want to try to move forward. When I’m here, I’m here. But I’m sure I’ll have my bad days, so don’t be surprised if I take you up on it,” Samantha said as they made their way to the stage.
Goosebumps spread across her arms at the sight of everyone on the stage together. It was one thing to show up with a few key cast members and read through the script from one of several chairs arranged in a circle, and another thing to see the entire company spread out and taking up every piece of the stage. Finally, everything felt real. She worked on Broadway. She would be spending five or six days a week working hard alongside people who shared her passion and love for musical theater.
Actors milled around. A few sat yoga style. Some looked over the script and quietly sang along. She found a spot for Brittney and herself. Samantha watched her friend for her reaction. Even after having a few rehearsals under her belt, she was nearly overwhelmed by the sight of finally seeing everyone together, so she knew Brittney had to feel moved. Her mouth was turned up into a grin and her eyes glistened with unshed tears. There was no feeling like the first time stepping onto a new stage.
“Smell that?” Samantha asked.
Brittney’s brows knitted together in confusion as she cautiously sniffed the air. “Smell what?”
“The stage!” Samantha answered. “Fresh cut wood, paint, and perfume. It’s like a cross between a school and the lumber section at Home Depot.”
Brittney stopped sniffing the air and laughed. Her shoulders relaxed as she shook her head in disbelief. Samantha’s tactics were effective. Brittney no longer seemed nervous about her first rehearsal or on edge after hearing about Samantha’s husband.
The musical director stepped up to the music stand in front of the piano and got everyone’s attention. The first business of rehearsal was for the entire group to warm up. They sang a few scales, led by the piano. When the first chords of Seasons of Love rang out, the entire group burst into applause. Samantha couldn’t contain her grin. It would be the first time singing the song with the entire cast singing along, even though the ensemble was pretty small, and the first solo belonged to her.
Samantha closed her eyes and belted out her part of the song. She hadn’t allowed herself to imagine the way it would feel to sing one of her favorite songs from a musical along with a group on stage. If she was this overwhelmed the first time singing it at rehearsal, she couldn’t imagine opening night.
As the song finished, Samantha's eyes snapped open to more cheers erupting. The excitement was contagious. Brittney surprised Samantha by pulling her into a quick, strong hug. Once she was released from the hug, she turned and handed out high fives to anyone she could reach.
The musical director tapped his music stand with a baton to quiet the room back down. With a cast of only twenty, it didn’t take much to regain everyone’s attention. She waited a few moments, and once all attention was on her, she began giving out instructions.
“You guys sounded fantastic,” she began. “Now that we broke the ice with some warm-ups and a first attempt at the play’s most iconic song, I’ll give some introductions and go over the rest of the day. I’m Keira Swinton, the musical director. You’ll be dealing with me the most since this is a musical. The director, Mr. Jeckman, is sitting over there in the third row. He’ll be watching the rehearsals and giving me suggestions here and there. Ultimately, he runs the show. A few seats over from Mr. Jeckman, is Gustavo, the choreographer. I’m not sure if we’ll get to him today, but even though the dance in this production is less complicated than some other shows, he’s in charge of all the dance moves, no matter how simple they may seem. Any questions?”
Everyone in the room seemed to be on the same high as Samantha. Who could think of questions to ask at a time like that? She couldn’t wait to see where the rest of rehearsal would take them. She looked over at Brittney and was pretty sure the grin she saw matched her own.
“Okay then, let’s get started,” Keira said with a clap of her hands. “Joanne and Tom Collins, you guys can head to the green room and practice your solos together. Everyone else, stay out here so we can work on that song. Once we work out who sings what part we’ll take it from the top with everyone together.”
Samantha’s smile kicked up another notch when she was referred to by her character name. Things were beginning to feel official, and she loved every minute of it. The rest of rehearsal flew by, and before she knew it, she was changing shoes, and on her way out the door to head to New Jersey.
Bryce arrived at the community center an hour early. He wanted to check things out before everyone else began to arrive. His crew had just finished up that week, so it still smelled like fresh-cut lumber and paint; one of his favorite fragrances. Once the major construction was complete, they did some complimentary updates to the main floor. The new molding had been stained dark and created a sharp contrast against the light gray walls, making it look like a new room.
“Wow, Bryce. I told you there was nothing to worry about.”
He turned to see Rayelle slowly making her way toward him as she took in the new room. “Thanks. It turned out even better than I was expecting. Even if the kids don’t appreciate it, I know the volunteers will. Where’s Dominic?”
“The kids will definitely notice. Dominic’s still outside. He ran into someone he hasn’t seen in a while. You know how he is. It’s cold so I left him out there.”
Bryce laughed. “That sounds about right. What are you guys doing here so early?”
“I couldn’t wait to see it. I knew you were here so I figured we could take a look and then see if we can help out with anything.”
“Mrs. Anderson and Tina are in the kitchen getting snacks ready to put out.”
“Okay, I’ll go see what they need. Let Dom know where I am if he ever makes it in here.”
