Waiting in the Wings

by Melissa Brayden

  The company split into several tables once we got inside. I wound up sitting with Lanie, Georgette, Craig, Kyle, and few more of the ensemble members whose names I hadn’t yet committed to memory. I noticed Adrienne sitting with Ben, Sienna, and a few others at a table not far from ours. I was already getting a feel for the different cliques within the company.

  Georgette got the waiter’s attention and ordered a round of beers for all of us. I didn’t protest even though I wasn’t a huge drinker. I wanted to blend in tonight. “I cannot believe I left my lip gloss at the theater,” Georgette practically yelled. “I mean can you believe I left my lip gloss at the theater?” She was staring at me with widened eyes and seemed very intent on lip gloss.

  “No, I can’t believe it either. That’s horrible.” I didn’t know what else to say.

  “It’s just typical,” she continued. “If it’s not one thing, it’s another. I can’t even believe I did that! Wait!” She grabbed my arm across the table and froze. I stared back, freezing as well. The grip she had on my arm was five seconds from painful. This girl was hardcore. “I am in love with this song. Are you not in love with this song, Jenna?”

  I listened for a moment. It was an eighties song, “Hungry Eyes.” I nodded. “It’s a pretty good song.” I didn’t think Georgette heard me answer, however, as she was already up and heading to the small makeshift dance floor across the room. It was a slow song, but she didn’t feel the need to dance with anyone else. She was perfectly content moving and swaying to the music on her own. A few others in our group got up to dance as well. I sipped my beer and couldn’t help but look across at Adrienne. She was laughing at something Sienna had said. I forced myself to stop staring by literally shaking myself out of it. I turned back to Lanie. We were mostly alone at our end of the table now. “So what do you think about all of this?”

  “I think we’re going to do fine here. Don’t worry your little head about it. I also think we shouldn’t stay long. We have early morning rehearsal, and they don’t.” At that point, something over my shoulder caught Lanie’s attention. “Well, so much for that tree I was barking up.” She sighed.

  I followed Lanie’s gaze to Ben leading Adrienne to the dance floor. I had to admit they looked pretty cozy, but to comfort Lanie I said, “They’re just dancing, Lanie. It doesn’t mean he’s off the market.”

  “It’s whatever. This isn’t my first rodeo, kid. Leading man, leading lady, I get it. That story’s about as old as they come. It’s a shame though. Look at that guy.” She bit the knuckle of her index finger for emphasis.

  I looked back at them. She was right. They would have beautiful children if they wanted to, who would undoubtedly grow up to star in Broadway shows of their own. “You’re right. We should head back for our beauty rest. I would hate for you to fall on your ass tomorrow.” She elbowed me as I laughed. I grabbed my purse and took Lanie’s arm. As I turned back to say good night to those nearby, I caught Adrienne’s eye as she danced. She smiled politely and waved good night. It was enough to make my breath catch a little. I shook my head at my reaction and headed out the door.

  *

  The next morning came way too early, but I didn’t fight the exhaustion from the long day before. I was ready to get to rehearsal and get started. It turned out Todd from the audition was also the dance captain for the show, along with Madison, a tall blonde with a dancer’s body to kill for. We met downstairs in one of the large meeting rooms in the hotel. We would rehearse in the theater later in the week, but for now the hotel would have to do. Todd and Madison lined one of the walls with three large mirrors so we could at least see ourselves as we learned the new combinations. They also laid out numbers across the area of the floor closest to the mirrors so we would practice proper spacing that would transfer easily enough to the numbers on the floor of the Clean Slate stage deck. Madison began to teach Lanie and me the opening number first. At the beginning of the show, before the character of Alexis is introduced, I’d be playing an ensemble member in the group scenes and numbers. The audience would never make the connection and one more body dancing onstage always looked better. Unfortunately, the first group number in the show was easily the hardest to learn, as it was high energy and very fast paced. It was intended to impress, and it delivered.

  We ran it and ran it and ran it again, until I could barely breathe. But there was no rest for the weary. After a quick lunch, we went back to work.

  The afternoon session was split in two, with Lanie working with Todd on the rest of the ensemble choreography while I worked with Madison on the blocking for my scenes. I felt like a fish out of water. When you joined a show already in progress, you’re the only one in need of rehearsal, as the rest of the cast already knows the show. So throughout the learning process, I was literally acting with invisible people as Madison pointed out where they would be and read their lines for them.

  As the first day of rehearsal came to a close, Craig let us know we would be watching the show from the wings tonight, shadowing the actors playing our roles. Essentially, this meant we’d be taking notes on dance positioning, costume changes, entrances, and exits. Wonderful. Sienna would surely love me following her around backstage.

  It didn’t turn out to be so bad, however, as Sienna pretty much kept to herself and pretended I didn’t exist. That was fine with me. That was how I preferred it anyway. It gave me a better opportunity to take notes and see how things played out without my presence affecting the mix. Watching the show from the wings offered a different perspective. I was struck at how much Adrienne had to do offstage as well as on. She was in virtually every scene, so whenever she came off, she had just enough time to change costumes before heading back on. I was in awe of how she held it all together and still delivered such a powerhouse performance.

  As the cast exited the stage after the final curtain call, Sienna walked by with Adrienne. I decided to make the effort. “Great show tonight, Sienna. I hope I didn’t get in your way too much.”

  She paused when she reached me, giving me a once-over. I swear the temperature dropped ten degrees. The smile on her face was plastic and noticeably inauthentic. “I hope you took detailed notes on that little flip pad of yours. We’ve all heard rehearsals aren’t going so well, which is a shame. We were hoping you might actually be good.”

  I watched her walk away, telling myself she was just saying whatever she could to piss me off and get under my skin. It was my job to not let that happen. After all, some people were just mean. Adrienne was still standing there so I tried not to let on that the comment had affected me. I raised my eyes to her as she leaned against the wall, taking a final swallow from her bottled water. “First thing you should know about this role is that Sienna is convinced it should be hers,” Adrienne said. “Second thing you should realize is that it shouldn’t be. You were brought here for a reason and everyone here knows that. What we actually heard is that the rehearsals are going very well, and that’s what’s got her in a spin. Sienna’s not a bad person; she’s just a tad territorial.”

  “I’d say that’s an understatement. But thanks,” I said. “It helps to hear that from you.”

  She thought for a minute. “You know, if you need someone to run lines with, I’d be happy to help. I say them in my sleep as it is; why not put my neurosis toward something good?”

  I was shocked. It was a generous offer and not in her job description at all. “That’s incredibly nice of you, but you don’t have to—”

  “I know I don’t have to. I want to. It’d be fun. What are you doing tomorrow afternoon?”

  “I have rehearsal,” I said.

  “Right. I knew that.” She popped herself in the head. An extremely cute pop in the head, I might add. She laughed. “Well, what about tonight? I know you have to get up early, but I’m a night owl. Show hours, you know?”

  I couldn’t help noticing how her whole face lit up when she laughed. “Definitely know what you mean. Umm, I don’t have to get up too early,” I lie
d. I didn’t care how tired I was or that every muscle and joint I had was screaming, I wasn’t passing this up. “If you really mean it, I’d love the chance to run lines with you.”

  “Of course I mean it. Why don’t we meet in the hotel restaurant in say…thirty minutes?” She checked her watch. “I just want to get out of all this stage makeup and shower. Plus, I could use a meal.”

  I grabbed my bag and headed to the greenroom where I found Lanie chatting animatedly with Susanne, the swing who was currently performing her ensemble track. I pulled her away and explained my plans for the evening and watched as her eyes got wide. “Dinner with Adrienne? Oh, you have to get the details on her and Ben. Please!”

  “I’ll see what I can do, but no promises. See you in the morning.” I kissed her cheek and left through the stage door to the bus that would take the first group ready back to the hotel. I dropped my bag off in the room and freshened up a little bit before catching the elevator to the lobby. Why was I so nervous? Adrienne was just another actress I would be working with. I’d met lots of famous people at CCM serving as guest artists. Hell, I’d even worked with them. This was no different. Yet, I knew it was different. Adrienne had captivated me with not only her performance in this show, but with her sincerity and professionalism off stage. Maybe I was starstruck, but it was more likely I was still crushing and needed to stop. It was clearly going to hurt my ability to do a good job and that was the most important thing in the world to me.

  I arrived at the restaurant first. It was half past eleven and the place was mostly empty. I sat at a table in the far corner of the room, a spot that allowed me to keep my eyes open for Adrienne. I ordered a red wine to relax and wait. It wasn’t long until I saw Adrienne in her plaid newsboy cap enter the hotel. She took off the cap and ran her fingers through her long, dark hair to straighten it out before turning right into the restaurant. The lighting was slightly dimmer inside so I waited for her eyes to adjust before waving in her direction. She smiled and walked over.

  “Well, I see you’ve made yourself comfortable.” She indicated my glass of wine.

  I shrugged sheepishly. “What can I say? It’s been quite a day. I somehow don’t think this is going to help what they have scheduled for me tomorrow, however,” I said, nodding at the glass.

  “No, I’d agree, which is why I’m only going to have one sip of yours.” She reached for my glass and with lighting quick movement did just that. My drink had been hijacked.

  “I can’t believe you did that. Aren’t you a big-time star? You can probably afford your own.”

  “I don’t know about big-time, but I thought you looked like the type who’d share. Now, let’s order some burgers and get to work.”

  I looked at the fancy tablecloth and multiple little forks at my place setting. “I’m thinking this isn’t the type of place that has cheeseburgers on the menu. Just a hunch.”

  “Let’s find out.” She arched a playful eyebrow just as the waiter returned to take our order. “Excuse me. My friend and I were wondering if it would be too much trouble to have two cheeseburgers made up in the kitchen?” She batted an eyelash for extra effect.

  The young man smiled in return. “I’m sure that can be easily arranged, Miss Kenyon, compliments of the house. My wife and I have tickets to your show on Sunday. We’re both fans.”

  “Well, I can’t thank you enough for that. I hope you have a great time. Say hello to your wife for me and let her know we’ve had a blast here in Detroit.”

  I watched the exchange, impressed with the class Adrienne exhibited. “All right, the library scene, let’s see what you got.”

  We started running lines and I was surprised I knew as many as I did. Watching the show tonight had helped cement some of them in, as I was able to visualize the action as I said the words. On the second

  and third run-through of the scene, I noticed Adrienne was rearrang-ing the wording in her lines and sometimes adding in portions I knew didn’t exist. When I found myself floundering in response, I gave up. “You’re totally trying to screw me up, aren’t you?”

  “Me?” With mock innocence, she reached for my glass of wine, stealing her second sip of the night. She smiled triumphantly at her accomplishment. “I would never dream of partaking in such acts. But it is up to me to keep you on your toes, right? Plus, if you think this is bad, wait till you see what I do when I’m bored onstage.” She popped the last bit of cheeseburger into her mouth.

  “I can hardly wait.” I threw a glance behind me and noticed the restaurant had grown noticeably darker and quiet. A nearby vacuum roared to life. “I think we’re shutting the place down.”

  “We can always finish the last two scenes in my room and let these poor people go home for the night. I can make us some hot tea. Good for the pipes.”

  I nodded. Hot tea sounded great. On the elevator ride up, I began to feel the effects of the day’s workout. I rolled my head back and forth between my shoulder blades to relax the muscles there. My left knee also hurt a bit as I flexed the joint back and forth.

  “Oh, you’re in some pain, aren’t you?” Adrienne observed sympathetically. “I’ve been there. A heating pad does wonders, by the way. Do you have one with you?”

  “No. I’m rethinking that packing decision now. I’m sure I can pick one up at the pharmacy down the street.”

  “Don’t bother. You can borrow mine.”

  “Okay, great.” She was offering after all.

  The first thing I noticed upon entering Adrienne’s hotel room was that it was a lot bigger than mine. Like, a lot-a-lot. There was a great deal to be said for the star slot, apparently. I decided to take notes.

  “I’ll get started on the tea. Make yourself at home and go ahead and start with those lines. We can just yell back and forth.” She headed into the bathroom that looked to be the size of my entire room.

  I began the scene. I have to admit, I felt a little self-conscious yelling my lines across the room, but she had suggested it. When Adrienne hollered back, I couldn’t help but laugh to myself at the ridiculousness of the situation. But I continued the madness. Eventually, she returned and looked at me quizzically.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “Oh, I don’t know, this whole thing, shouting back and forth, me hanging out with you in your gigantic room. Maybe I’m just exhausted.”

  “Maybe so,” she answered, handing me a cup of hot tea. “Tell you what, let’s see if I can help. Turn around.” I raised my left eyebrow at her questioning. “Trust me. Prepare to be amazed.” She set her cup on the coffee table. I did as she said. Soft, strong hands landed on my shoulders and started a slow massage. The strain in my muscles and tendons began to drift away as Adrienne manipulated each precise pressure point with obvious skill. “Is this helping?” she asked quietly.

  “Is it helping? You must be missing my contented sighs of encouragement about every three seconds. Of course it’s helping. Where did you learn how to do this?”

  “Well, I needed a backup in case the whole acting thing didn’t pan out. I picked up a book.”

  “You learned this from a book? You know, you’re a great actress and all, but maybe you missed your true calling.”

  I closed my eyes and concentrated on the massage. Before long, the initial muscle aches began to drift away and I became very aware of Adrienne’s hands on my skin. I noticed them even more when they moved from my neck into my hair. She gently ran her fingers through it and lifted it away from my neck. I was suddenly grateful I’d decided to keep it long. Adrienne had done a great job of quieting my muscles, but she was now starting to awaken other parts of my body. Before she noticed what she was doing to me, I decided I better get out of there. I reached behind me and stilled her hands, holding them in mine for a moment before turning around on the couch to face her. “It’s getting late. I better get going.”

  She nodded mutely, but I didn’t go. There was something about the way she was looking at me that made me want to stay right where I w
as. Was I crazy or was the desire I was experiencing mirrored in Adrienne’s eyes? Without my permission, my eyes dropped to her lips, which were parted. To my amazement, she leaned in slightly, and with our already close proximity, it brought her mouth within an inch of mine. My heart was racing, and as I summoned enough courage to close the small distance between us, her eyes widened and she leaned back on the couch, almost as if waking herself from a dream. “Good night, Jenna. Sleep well.”

  We stared at each other for a moment longer before I got up and moved to door. I turned back and said simply, “Thank you for helping me tonight.” Adrienne nodded and smiled an unreadable smile.

  I lay in bed that night unable to sleep and unable to stop my mind from heading in a million different directions. Adrienne and I had almost kissed that night, I was sure of it. And while I couldn’t get her out of my mind or the way it felt to be that close to her, her breath lightly tickling my face, I knew the situation was dicey. Chances were good she was involved with someone else. Plus, getting this show was an amazing opportunity for me and I didn’t want to screw it up. The worst thing in the world would be for me to get involved in any kind of drama that would lead to difficult working conditions.

  *

  The rest of the week brought more of the same. Rehearsals all day and watching the show at night. It was four days until the put-in rehearsal for Lanie and me, a rehearsal where replacement actors were given the chance to run the show with the actual cast and crew, as if an audience were present. I felt fairly confident in rehearsals, but the idea of my first show brought the butterflies to my stomach.

  Clean Slate would play its last few performances in Detroit before heading to Chicago for a weeklong stay where I would take on the role of Alexis full-time. Between now and then it was my job to dance my ass off in rehearsals and get my voice in prime shape, especially for Alexis’s solo number where she reveals her dark side to the audience for the first time.