A/N: Another P&P fanfic involving music… I know, I'm a bit of a freak. But yeah… This one popped into my head while I was writing Music and Misunderstandings, and I had to get it down. Haven't thought of a good title (which is why this one stinks), so suggestions are definitely appreciated. And now, because I'm also a rule freak, the disclaimers (I promise this will be the only time I write one):
1: I am not Jane Austen.
2: I don't own any of this.
3: Wicked music is by Stephen Schwartz.
4: I don't own Wicked.
5: Hallelujah is by Leonard Cohen, and if you use your logic, means that I don't own it…
'Dun dun dun dunnnnn…. Dun dun dun dunnnnn…' The beginning of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik drifted throught the halls of Longbourn School of the Arts, signaling the end of passing period.
Lizzie Bennet crammed her music binder into her backpack hurriedly, muttered a few choice words about the makers of backpacks, and then ran to her next class- advanced drama. Every student was required to participate in at least one semester of drama, dance, music (band, choir, or orchestra), and visual arts. Those who wanted to could continue on with their studies in a particular subject. Such was the case with Lizzie, who was hoping to be a music and drama major in college.
When Lizzie walked in, the auditorium was full of drama students. She found only one seat left in the section not cordoned off- next to Micheal Collins. She cringed, but eventually had to sit down, praying she wouldn't get any of his slime on her.
Micheal Collins was a short, chubby boy. He had greasy black hair, greasy skin, and a greasy voice. Lizzie always joked that he could be served up as a hamburger at McDonalds, and no one would notice the difference.
As Lizzie sat down, the drama teacher spoke.
"Hello, Ms. Bennet. So glad you could join us," she said, disapprovingly.
"Sorry, Mrs. Beauprez. It won't happen again," sighed Lizzie.
"Anyways, as I was saying before Ms. Bennet interrupted us, our musical this year is going to be…"
The auditorium was so thick with tension you could have cut it with a sword (A/N: A bit of a cliché, I know, but I tried to change it a bit!). You could have heard an ant walk through (A/N: Two clichés in two sentences- a new record!).
"… Wicked!"
The room burst out in comments, questions, and gasps. As soon as Mrs. Beauprez got them calmed down, she got to the logistics. "Auditions will be held in two days, so you need to prepare a monologue and a piece of music. We have just gotten permission to show this musical from the Department of Musical Theater Copyright Offices1. But we must perform it before June 11 because the Broadway version is doing another tour. Questions?"
Lizzie smiled. This was her favorite musical EVER! She loved Elphaba, and like most Wicked fans do, hated the Wizard. Given a chance, she would totally play Elphaba. But Lizzie had one question: "How are the sets going to be made?" she asked.
"The arts people are going to create the sets. The woodshop and engineering department will make the more tricky things, such as the hydraulic lift for Elphaba in Defying Gravity, and the dragon," replied Mrs. Beauprez, "And next time, Ms. Bennet, please remember to raise your hand."
"Of course," said Lizzie. She smiled. She knew what song she was going to sing- and couldn't wait to try it out at home.
"What is this feeling, so sudden and new?" Lizzie sang.
Lizzie stopped and tried the high section again. This song was always a challenge, but it showed off her nice range. She pushed her hair out of her eyes impatiently, and then tried playing some of the chords. Deciding this was too hard for her meager capabilities as a pianist, she plunked out the notes one by one, matching the notes with her voice. Slowly, Lizzie perfected the song.
At 7:00, her father called her to dinner. Francis Bennet was Lizzie's only living parent. Her mother had died of ovarian cancer that had spread before the doctors had caught it.
Lizzie scrambled over to the kitchen to wash her hands as her father finished putting the Chinese take-out on the table.
"How was your day, Lizard?" Lizzie's dad asked as they settled down to eat.
"It was good. We're doing "Wicked" in drama!" she screamed.
"That's wonderful. Which part do you want?" he father asked in jest.
"Daddy! You know I want to be Elphaba2, you evil Wizard3," she replied, poking him in the shoulder.
"Sheesh. I get demoted to Wizard easily, don't I?"
"Of course."
"What song are you doing for auditions?"
"What is This Feeling, of course. I don't think I could prepare Defying Gravity4 in two days."
"I'm sure you could if you really wanted to," Mr. Bennet said, before standing up to put his dishes away.
In no time at all, the auditions came. The rumor mill was circulating, and the latest buzz was that three new guys and two new girls would be trying out. Lizzie knew firsthand that there were new students. Will Darcy and Cameron Bingley were new trumpets in marching band, while the snotty Cherry Bingley was a flautist. Whether they were going to try out or not was a different question.
Lizzie walked into the auditorium, her audition sheet music in hand. She lined up against the wall with the rest of the class. A moment later, Jayme Calaroso5 slid in behind her.
"Hi!" Jayme said, twirling an errant blonde hair around her finger nervously, "What are you trying out for?"
"Elphaba... You?" Lizzie said as she watched Christie Lee6 audition for
Madame Morrible.
"Glinda... I've always wanted to try and be airheaded all the time, you?" she asked, jokingly.
Lizzie looked at her. She did indeed look like a perfect Glinda.
Perfect hair, perfect teeth, perfect body, even a perfect personality. She was bubbly and a definite optimist. The only difference was her IQ level: Jayme had been the winner of science fairs, math Olympiads, and spelling bees since grade school. Glinda had the IQ of mush.
Lizzie applauded Christie's rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow, then watched the next performer get onstage.
He was- for lack of a better word- handsome. Dark hair, blue eyes, and a nice build made up this latest addition to Longbourn's drama department. The mystery of his name was solved as he stated in a clear voice, "My name is William Darcy and I will be auditioning for the part of Fiyero8. First, I will recite the monologue The View From Saturday."
And that he did. The audience was spellbound, his voice resonating throughout the room as he told the touching tale of a child who had lost his sister. At the end, a stunned silence penetrated the air.
Then, everyone began clapping in a great roar- this guy was GOOD.
He continued to speak, "Next, I will be singing the song Hallelujah, lyrics by Leonard Cohen, Jeff Buckley version. I hope it's okay that I'm going to do my own accompaniment?" he asked Mrs. Beauprez nervously, pulling out his guitar.
Mrs. Beauprez approved, and he began to sing and play.
ooOoo
The last chord rang through the auditorium. The room was in a stunned silence. Slowly, people began to clap, seemingly wakening from the coma Will Darcy had woven around them. Mrs. Beauprez had tears in her eyes, and everyone knew who Fiyero was going to be.
Lizzie stood, gaping. How the heck could someone have such a nice voice? It was one of the world's biggest mysteries.
Jayme had to poke her after the applause had died down, reminding her to get onstage. Lizzie jumped a bit, but then calmly proceeded on stage.
"Hi, I'm Lizzie Bennet. I'm here to audition for the part of Elphaba. I will be reciting the monologue "Apple Juice"," she said, all nervousness she felt hidden from view. The monologue "Apple Juice" was a charming and witty piece that had everyone laughing as Lizzie slipped on the nonexistent apple juice.
Lizzie finished her monologue, and then went on to her song, "What is This Feeling?".
A/N: You can find links to the songs' lyrics on my profile- sorry about not being able to post them, but those are the rules.
Suggestions? Room for improvement? Complete put downs? I really don't care, as long as you REVIEW.
1 This does not exist (at least I don't think so)…
2 Elphaba was the "Wicked" Witch of the West- who was actually just really misunderstood (and also green, therefore creating prejudice against her). She did everything she could to help people, but her helpfulness always got messed up.
3 The "Wonderful" Wizard of Oz was Elphaba's father- unknowingly. He wanted the animals to stop talking, and had horrible motives in general.
4 A lot of high notes… Joy, isn't it? (esp. with all that smoke and stuff, while being raised on a hydraulic lift)
5 One of Lizzie's friends, not related to her at all… Think Janeish
6 Christie Lee= Lizzie's BFF… Think Charlotte Lucas
7 Airheaded Good Witch, formerly Galinda, but changed her name to Glinda… A big pushover, if you ask me.
8 Guy who comes to Shiz (school where Elphaba and Glinda- then Galinda- go to school) and is a bad influence (slacker, was kicked out of multiple schools). Main love interest.
