behind her with his arms wrapped around her. His solid body at her back sent comforting warmth through her as they sang together. She clung to his arm, a little longer than was necessary after the lights extinguished.
With a quick squeeze and a kiss to the top of her head, he released her, and they separated, going to opposite wings to await their curtain call.
The lights came up. The audience rose to its feet with a roar of approval and resounding applause for the company for carrying on through the crisis.
Elena pasted a bright smile on her face and ran out from the wings to take her bow.
Entr’acte: Management
“You’re the director. Of course I respect your right to cast the show.” John Billings’ voice was smooth and calm as though he were reasoning with a child.
Phil grimaced into the phone.
“But this is a golden opportunity we can’t pass up,” the producer continued. “The show has had a very successful run in Chicago and received great reviews, but having a name performer on board as you start the tour will help ticket sales. I want you to use Renée.”
Billings was right. A name actor would help promote the production, but Phil made a last plea on Cara’s behalf.
“I understand the business aspect, John. But the point of casting unknowns was to give the ensemble an authentic feel. This company is very close. Cara Patrick is part of the team. She’s great in the part, and I’d much rather promote from within and hire a new understudy than bring in an outsider to fill the Jen role. I don’t want to upset the balance.”
There was a pause. When Billings spoke again, his voice was much cooler, a stern rather than benevolent father. “I understand your feelings, and respect your right to make the final decision, but management strongly suggests you use Renée Bullard.”
The polite words appeared to give him an option, but Phil knew the moneymen had made a choice. People like Billings remembered directors who caused trouble, and Phil had to look ahead to his involvement in future productions. Besides, Renée could be a big draw. She’d already filled the role of Jen on Broadway for several years. Phil could cast her, and know she would perform flawlessly. It was just a question of how she’d mesh with the rest of the cast.
“All right.” He repressed the feeling he’d just sold out Cara. “I’ll call and welcome Renée to the show and have her fly out as soon as possible.”
As he hung up, Phil put aside his reservations. Renée would be an asset to the show, and he’d do everything he could to promote Cara at the next opportunity or use her again in another show. He called Kurt Peters to give him the news of the new casting.
Act Two: On Tour
Scene One: St. Paul
Jake gazed at Gretchen instead of the movie. The light from the screen cast her face in shifting lights and shadows. It shone off her fine, golden hair, inviting him to touch it. He reached over and fingered the soft strands, pushing them back from her face.
Gretchen glanced at him, smiled, and returned her gaze to the movie.
Slipping his arm around her shoulders, he settled back into his seat and tried to concentrate on the film, but all he could think of was the girl next to him. She was on his mind constantly, and he was ready to have her in his bed.
He’d taken his time with Gretchen, wooing her slowly and respectfully, a new experience for him. At first he’d been so shocked at winning her attention he hadn’t wanted to scare her off by coming on too strong. As weeks passed, he’d found an unexpected pleasure in delaying sex, pursuing her the old-fashioned way a girl like her expected. But they’d been dating in this polite 1950’s manner for too long and he didn’t know how much longer he could take ending his evenings by jacking off. If Gretchen was willing, he wanted to end this afternoon’s date buried deep inside her.
The movie was a period piece that looked like it was going to sprawl over a good
With a quick squeeze and a kiss to the top of her head, he released her, and they separated, going to opposite wings to await their curtain call.
The lights came up. The audience rose to its feet with a roar of approval and resounding applause for the company for carrying on through the crisis.
Elena pasted a bright smile on her face and ran out from the wings to take her bow.
Entr’acte: Management
“You’re the director. Of course I respect your right to cast the show.” John Billings’ voice was smooth and calm as though he were reasoning with a child.
Phil grimaced into the phone.
“But this is a golden opportunity we can’t pass up,” the producer continued. “The show has had a very successful run in Chicago and received great reviews, but having a name performer on board as you start the tour will help ticket sales. I want you to use Renée.”
Billings was right. A name actor would help promote the production, but Phil made a last plea on Cara’s behalf.
“I understand the business aspect, John. But the point of casting unknowns was to give the ensemble an authentic feel. This company is very close. Cara Patrick is part of the team. She’s great in the part, and I’d much rather promote from within and hire a new understudy than bring in an outsider to fill the Jen role. I don’t want to upset the balance.”
There was a pause. When Billings spoke again, his voice was much cooler, a stern rather than benevolent father. “I understand your feelings, and respect your right to make the final decision, but management strongly suggests you use Renée Bullard.”
The polite words appeared to give him an option, but Phil knew the moneymen had made a choice. People like Billings remembered directors who caused trouble, and Phil had to look ahead to his involvement in future productions. Besides, Renée could be a big draw. She’d already filled the role of Jen on Broadway for several years. Phil could cast her, and know she would perform flawlessly. It was just a question of how she’d mesh with the rest of the cast.
“All right.” He repressed the feeling he’d just sold out Cara. “I’ll call and welcome Renée to the show and have her fly out as soon as possible.”
As he hung up, Phil put aside his reservations. Renée would be an asset to the show, and he’d do everything he could to promote Cara at the next opportunity or use her again in another show. He called Kurt Peters to give him the news of the new casting.
Act Two: On Tour
Scene One: St. Paul
Jake gazed at Gretchen instead of the movie. The light from the screen cast her face in shifting lights and shadows. It shone off her fine, golden hair, inviting him to touch it. He reached over and fingered the soft strands, pushing them back from her face.
Gretchen glanced at him, smiled, and returned her gaze to the movie.
Slipping his arm around her shoulders, he settled back into his seat and tried to concentrate on the film, but all he could think of was the girl next to him. She was on his mind constantly, and he was ready to have her in his bed.
He’d taken his time with Gretchen, wooing her slowly and respectfully, a new experience for him. At first he’d been so shocked at winning her attention he hadn’t wanted to scare her off by coming on too strong. As weeks passed, he’d found an unexpected pleasure in delaying sex, pursuing her the old-fashioned way a girl like her expected. But they’d been dating in this polite 1950’s manner for too long and he didn’t know how much longer he could take ending his evenings by jacking off. If Gretchen was willing, he wanted to end this afternoon’s date buried deep inside her.
The movie was a period piece that looked like it was going to sprawl over a good
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