Showstopper by Lisa Fiedler

just stared in silence.
    â€œThis is great!” cried Jane at last.
    â€œIt’s huge,” said Maddie.
    â€œCheck out all the lights!” Deon said breathlessly, eyeing the spots and canisters suspended above the stage. “And there’s a sound system! Man, I think I’ve died and gone to heaven.”
    I wasn’t sure I liked the idea of my cast being so awed by this place. I understood that the plush auditorium seating and the gorgeous velvet curtain were impressive. But that didn’t make me feel any better about their excitement level. I didn’t want them to love it more than they loved the clubhouse theater.
    â€œIt’ll do for now,” Austin pronounced diplomatically. “We’ll make the best of it, and get back home just as soon as we can.”
    â€œLike Odysseus,” said Teddy.
    I smiled, pleased he’d made the same connection Austin and I had.
    â€œSpeaking of Odysseus,” said Maddie, “are you guys going to post the cast list?”
    â€œYes,” I said, turning to Susan. “Did you remember to bring the Scotch tape?”
    As soon as I stuck the list to the wall, I stepped back to avoid being trampled by my eager and curious cast. Susan,of course, hung back with Austin and me, as did Maxie, Brittany, Gina, Deon, and Joey.
    There were a lot of happy squeals and no small amount of confused whispers. After a minute or so, Travis turned away from the list, wearing a puzzled expression.
    â€œThis says I’m playing Athena and a pig. What’s up with that?”
    â€œThat’s kind of a surprise,” I explained. “We’re casting everyone in dual roles.”
    â€œWhy?” asked Jane.
    â€œSimple math,” said Teddy, who seemed pleased with having been given the title role of Odysseus. “There are more parts than actors.”
    â€œThey do it on Broadway all the time,” I explained. “In Peter Pan , for example, the parts of Captain Hook and Mr. Darling are traditionally played by the same actor. But in that case, it has less to do with math than making an artistic statement.”
    â€œIt’s going to make for some challenging costume changes,” Maxie observed.
    Elle giggled. “Max, that’s not the only challenge you’re going to be dealing with.”
    â€œWhaddya mean?”
    Elle pointed to the cast list. “Says here you’re in the show.You’re a member of Odysseus’s army and you’re one of Penelope’s suitors.”
    Maxie blinked. “I am? But I didn’t audition.”
    â€œNeither did Deon or Brittany or the rest of the crew,” Spencer pointed out. “But they’ve all got parts, too.”
    â€œWe do?” said Gina, sounding nervous.
    â€œYou don’t have a speaking part,” I assured her. “Unless you want to try that. But at this point, all you have to do is help fill up the stage. Same for the rest of you.”
    Maxie and Deon both looked relieved. Gina’s fellow set designer, Brittany, was clearly excited about the chance to perform, and Joey—typical mellow musician that he was—didn’t seem to care one way or the other.
    â€œSusan, look!” cried Elle. “Your name’s up here, too.”
    Susan marched toward the cast list. Upon seeing her name beside the character Zeus, she let out a little yelp. “Me? Play Zeus?”
    â€œYou’ll be perfect,” Austin assured her.
    â€œZeus is a boy,” Susan reminded us.
    â€œAnd Athena’s a girl,” said Travis with a shrug. “But I’m playing her.”
    Susan looked from one grinning face to another, finally meeting my hopeful gaze.
    â€œWill you do it?” I asked.
    Susan bit her lip. “I’m not sure about this, Anya. I mean, Zeus is so bossy and intimidating, and really smart and super important. Do you really think I can handle it?”
    â€œHandle it?” I said, approaching her and