A/N: So I was listening to the Les Miserables soundtrack and I got the idea to write this. I always pretend I'm Eponine when I listen to the soundtrack and I sing all her parts and act it out and stuff, so I thought why not write a story about a girl that does the same thing? This story happens in the real world to actors and actresses who are going to play the parts of the characters on stage. None of them are real actors. Also, I have a shocking lack of knowledge about how the actors and actresses in these musicals are actually cast. This is just my interpretation of how I think it would work.
I don't own Les Mis, but I do own pretty much every character in this story. Just not the characters they play on stage.
Aaron Campbell re-read the same sentence in his book for the fifth time without grasping the meaning. He sighed, placing the book on the chair next to him. The chatter in the room around him made it nearly impossible to comprehend what he was reading. He glanced at the clock. 2:00 pm. He'd been there for over an hour now. What was taking the directors so long?
He cast his eyes around the room, seeing what he could deduce about the people around him. All of them had received callbacks for the Broadway revival of Les Miserables. He knew that much. But what parts could they be auditioning for?
His eyes first landed on a group of girls sitting away from the rest of the people in the room, gossiping about who knows what. One of them, a shorter girl with long blonde hair, was texting away on her phone. Every few minutes, she would read a response from whoever she was texting and giggle excitedly. Cosette, he thought. Texting her Marius.
A younger blonde girl sat next to Aaron's imagined Cosette. She was looking around the room with a bored expression. She was the spitting image of the older girl next to her. If he didn't know any better, Aaron would guess that they were sisters. That must be young Cosette.
The rest of the gossipy girls in the group were all collected around a girl with long black hair. She seemed very full of herself. She was regaling the little group with tales of her theatrical exploits. Every few minutes she'd flip her hair back behind her. Aaron wrinkled his nose. He couldn't tell what part she was trying out for, but he already knew he would dislike her. The rest of the girls around her were probably trying for ensemble parts or supporting roles, he guessed.
On the opposite side of the room, a man sat, reading. A closer inspection revealed that he was reading Victor Hugo's novel of the play they were trying out for. He was studying something specific on the page he was reading. After a minute, he pulled a highlighter from his pocket and marked the page. Valjean, he thought. Studying for his role.
A few seats away from the man was a loud group of men. Most of the noise in the room was coming from them. They were chatting about who knows what, trading stories about theatre mishaps and other roles they'd been in. They must be the students in the rebellion, Aaron mused.
Another man sat there with them but did not join in with the chatter. He was texting on his phone. He smiled happily. Every so often, one of the other men would tease him about whoever he was texting. Marius.
A rowdy boy of around fourteen was sitting with them as well. He was laughing and sharing stories of his own. He seemed to have a bit of a mouth on him as well. Aaron had heard the boy use some rather colorful language. Gavroche.
A woman sat in the corner, away from everyone else. She was eyeing the group of men warily as if she didn't trust them. In her hands was a baby blanket. She was crocheting the edges of it. Fantine.
Another man sat watching her. He seemed rather coarse. He was chewing a toothpick and eyeing the woman's ring. Thenardier.
A man was watching the rest of the actors and actresses with narrow eyes. He met Aaron's eyes for a moment. He felt rather uncomfortable under the man's calculating gaze. Javert.
The rest of the actors and actresses in the room were most likely trying for ensemble and supporting roles. Aaron himself was trying for the role of Enjolras. However, he couldn't seem to place an actress that would be trying for Eponine.
The door to the room opened, interrupting his musings.
Instead of the directors, like he had hoped, a young woman entered the room. She had long, curly brown hair and a newsboy cap with the 'Newsies on Broadway' logo stitched on it. Her deep brown eyes grew wider as she gazed around the room at all of its inhabitants. She seemed very nervous. Her hands were shaking, Aaron noticed. She seemed to be whispering to herself as she scanned the room for a place to sit. Most of the seats were taken.
She approached an empty seat near the gossipy girls. The haughty one with the long black hair stopped whatever story she was telling and turned to the girl.
"You can't sit there," she stated.
The girl looked up in surprise. "Why not? I mean, everywhere else is taken and this is one of the only seats and I really don't want to stand and nobody is really sitting here right now-"
"Because," the black haired girl cut her off. "I said so. Now go sit somewhere else." She laughed and turned back to her gaggle of gossipy girls.
The only other two seats left in the room were next to Aaron and next to the man he believed to be the real-life Javert. Seriously, the guy was starting to freak him out. And the poor girl was already nervous enough as it was. He wasn't going to subject her to that.
"Hey," Aaron called out to her. "There's a seat free over here." He patted the seat next to him. Seeing her pale expression, he smiled and added, "I promise I don't bite."
Hesitantly, the girl made her way toward Aaron, sitting in the seat next to him. He could hear what she was whispering now.
"It's okay, Olivia, you can do this. You can do this. You can do this…"
Her tone changed. "What are you talking about Olivia? Of course you can't do this! You can't even order takeout on the phone without rehearsing exactly what you need to say in front of the mirror five different times! And now you want to be in a Broadway musical? Are you insane?"
Aaron listened to her as she argued out loud with herself. She was speaking softly enough that only he could hear her, despite the background chatter. Her fingers were tapping on the armrest at lightning speed.
She reverted back to her previous tone. "Olivia, you're overreacting. You already aced the initial audition. How is the callback any different? You can do this."
"Yeah, but the audition was in front of the casting manager. The callbacks are in front of the directors! What if I mess up? What if I throw up all over the stage during my song? What if everybody laughs at me? I'll have to change my name and move to New Jersey!"
"Listen to me, Olivia. You've rehearsed your song more times then you can count. You practiced talking to people this morning. And you know what you're doing. You've been working toward this moment since you first walked into a theatre in third grade. You've prepped, you've prepared. You are ready. You are one performance away from landing your dream part on Broadway. Don't let a little stage fright ruin your chances."
The girl groaned and put her head in her hands.
Aaron spoke up. "Are you all right?" he asked, trying his hardest not to laugh at her. Listening to her talk to herself was rather amusing, but she may not feel the same way he did.
The girl darted upright again, looking at him. "I'm okay, at least I think I'm okay, I'm really nervous, and I honestly don't know why I thought I could do this, I mean there are so many other people that are more qualified, and I'm rambling again cause that's what I do when I get nervous, I don't even hardly notice when I'm doing it, and you can tell me if I'm rambling, and I'm just gonna shut up now." She put her head back in her hands.
Aaron laughed. He stuck out his hand. "Aaron Campbell."
The girl looked up at him and grinned sheepishly. She shook his hand. "Olivia Warner."
"It's nice to meet you, Olivia. What part are you trying out for? I'm hoping for Enjolras."
Olivia hesitated a moment, before whispering fervently. "Eponine. I want to be Eponine."
Aaron could see in her eyes how much getting this part meant to her. He really hoped she could sing well enough. She definitely looked the part, right down to her newsboy cap.
"I like your hat," he mentioned.
She subconsciously reached up to adjust it. "Oh, thanks. I went to see Newsies when it was on Broadway and I got this hat and I got to meet Jeremy Jordan and it was so amazing-"
"You're rambling," Aaron pointed out.
"Right. Sorry." She slumped down in her seat, tapping her foot.
"What are you so nervous about?" Aaron asked. "It's just an audition."
"Well…" she hesitated. "I have this thing," she began, "about talking to people. I'm really antisocial, I don't go to parties or hang out with people or anything. I can barely take to people I know on the phone without having a total panic attack. I'm afraid that I'll totally mess up in front of the directors and they'll send me away. I really, really want this part."
Aaron was confused. "If you're so nervous about talking to people, why are you trying out for a Broadway musical? You are aware that you'll have to do a lot of talking, right?"
"That's the thing," she said. "When I'm on stage, it's different. I become whoever I'm portraying. I'm a completely different person when I'm out there. I don't get nervous while I'm performing. That's why I love the theatre so much. I can be whoever I want to be. Nobody judges me." She added that last bit quietly at the end.
Aaron was stunned. This girl was more like Eponine than he had originally thought.
"Can you sing?" he asked her.
"Yeah, I like to think I'm a good singer, even though there are so many people better than me, and I've only been taking voice lessons for a year or so but I guess the casting manager thought I was a good enough singer and I'm rambling again aren't I?"
Aaron nodded.
"Dang it. I was doing so well, too."
Aaron decided to change the subject. "So… how old are you?" he asked.
Despite her anxiety, Olivia smirked. "Hasn't anyone ever told you not to ask a girl how old she is?" she asked.
Aaron's cheeks tinted pink. "I.. well I mean… no one ever said…" he rubbed the back of his neck with his hand.
Olivia laughed. Her laugh was high and clear. Aaron liked it. "I'm just joking. I'm 20."
Aaron sighed in relief. "Oh, okay. That's good. I'm 21."
Before either of them could ask any more questions, the doors to the small room opened once more to reveal two people, a man and a woman. The man was much older than the woman. He had gray hair and a short beard. He was wearing loose jeans and a flannel shirt. His eyes were kind, and they sparkled as he looked around the room, smiling at everyone in it. Aaron immediately liked him.
The woman, on the other hand, was a different story. Her pitch black hair was pulled back into a tight, uncomfortable looking bun. Her dark eyes looked sharply and coldly at the actors and actresses in the room. Her cheekbones were high and pointed, like her chin. She was wearing a grey pantsuit and very high stilettos. Aaron wondered how it was possible for somebody to walk in shoes like that.
The man cleared his throat and immediately the room quieted.
"Welcome, fellow actors and actresses! My name is Frank Rathbone and this is my lovely co-director, Cheryl Brady. We're very excited to have you here! We're so sorry to keep you waiting. Traffic is an absolute beast in this city, you know what I mean?" He spoke with a barely there New York accent.
Several of the room's occupants laughed in agreement.
The man clapped his hands, rubbing them together. "Now, here is how this is going to work. Everybody is going to have a chance to audition in front of us two. After everyone has gone, we'll converse and decide who will get what parts. Most of you already have a guaranteed part, just so you know. The casting director just wanted us to be sure we liked you. But some parts have multiple people still auditioning for them. These are the ones were really want to see. If you want to come in and watch the auditions, you're more than welcome. Now, can we first have the two lovely young ladies who are auditioning for the part of Cosette come in the theatre with us?"
The girl who was texting and giggling stood up, along with another gossipy girl in the group. As they followed the directors into the theatre, Aaron leaned over toward Olivia.
"You want to go watch the auditions? We can try and guess who gets what part. It could be fun."
Olivia nodded. "Anything to get my mind off things for a bit."
They rose simultaneously. Aaron opened the door for her. She smiled.
"I guess chivalry isn't really dead, huh?" she asked, slipping past him.
He shook his head. "Nope. My mom raised me right."
"That she did."
The sat in the back of the theatre, taking in the auditions. Olivia stole a few glances at Aaron. She thought he had a real chance at getting this part. He definitely looked like an Enjolras, with his curly, sandy-blonde hair and bright blue eyes. He definitely wasn't unattractive. Of that she was sure.
Once both girls had auditioned, the directors sent them off so they could talk for a few minutes.
"Who do you think will get the part?" Olivia whispered.
"I think the first girl will get it," he replied. "I was watching her earlier before you got here and she totally struck me as Cosette."
"I think you're right," she agreed.
A few minutes later, both girls re-entered the room. Aaron and Olivia both cheered silently and high-fived when the girl they predicted got the part.
"Will you go and call in the candidates for Eponine, Cheryl?" Frank asked.
The woman's mouth became a smiled deviously and nodded.
Aaron watched as Olivia grew visibly paler. He touched her arm to get her attention.
"Hey, don't worry. You've got this. If you start getting nervous, just imagine the directors in their underwear."
She made a face. "Ew, no. That's just gonna make things worse. When I get nervous, I just picture people wearing matching onesie pajamas. Works every time."
Aaron laughed out loud. "That's awesome. I'm so using that trick in the future. Now go get 'em!"
She stood up, visibly shaking, and took a few deep breaths to try and calm herself before walking to the stage to join the other candidate.
Aaron was surprised to see the haughty black-haired girl from earlier. He wouldn't have pegged her as Eponine at all.
Cheryl clasped her hands in her lap. "I'll conduct this audition Frank, thank you very much." Her voice was high and cold. "Introduce yourselves, please."
The haughty girl stepped forward. "Cora Brady. I've been in several Broadway productions, including Cats, Aida, and Rent. I always get whatever part I want. Don't I, mother?" she asked sweetly.
"Indeed you do, dear," Cheryl answered. She turned to Frank. "We don't really need to have this girl audition, do we? My daughter is going to get the part no matter what."
Aaron couldn't believe what he was hearing. Olivia was being kicked to the curb due to blatant nepotism!
Frank spoke up before Aaron could. "Now, Cheryl, let's give this nice young lady a chance." He smiled at Olivia, who did her best to smile back.
Cheryl huffed. "I don't see why we should. Cora is getting the part either way."
"Everybody gets a fair chance, Cheryl. Your daughter still has to audition as well," he reminded her. He turned toward Olivia. "What's your name, dear?" he asked kindly.
"Olivia Warner," she said, trying to keep her voice even. "I haven't really been in any Broadway plays yet. I was in a few local and off-off-Broadway productions, though."
Cheryl scowled. "She doesn't even have the experience necessary for this part! You, Olga, get off the stage. We don't need you anymore." She waved her off.
Olivia looked close to tears.
Frank turned to face Cheryl. "We are going to give both girls a chance at this part, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Do you understand?" he asked sternly.
Cheryl gave Frank a glare that could freeze water, but she nodded.
"There! That's settled. Now, who would like to go first?" he asked.
Cora stepped in front of Olivia. "I'm going first," she stated. She turned to Olivia. "Get off the stage. Now." She pointed toward the wings.
Olivia moved soundlessly off the stage and toward the left wing of the theatre. Aaron stood from his seat in the back of the theatre and went to try and find her. He heard Cora singing for the directors. Her voice was very high and clear, but it was very operatic. She sounded more suited for Cosette than for Eponine.
He found her sitting on the ground behind the heavy curtain in the wings. He approached her from behind. He could hear her sniffling.
"Olivia?"
She turned toward him. He saw tears running down her cheeks. He went and sat next to her on the ground, rubbing a hand up and down her arm to try and calm her. He'd known this girl for barely an hour and already he cared about her more than any other actress he'd met. Aaron never had never really connected with anyone on that level before. It was almost like an instant friendship, something he hadn't had in a very long while.
"Don't listen to anything that woman says. That's nepotism right there. If she tries to kick you out without giving you a fair chance then I'll talk to her. And our conversation will not be civil, that I can promise.
Olivia wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "Why are you helping me?" she asked. "You barely know me."
"Because I don't have many friends," he answered honestly. "And I have a feeling that it's the same with you. You seem really nice. And I happen to know from experience that one of the best ways to make friends is to rehearse a musical with them. I'm not giving up until you get a fair chance."
She smiled. "Thanks, Aaron. I really needed that."
The music that had been playing in the background stopped. Aaron could hear Cheryl applauding wildly at her daughter's performance. Frank was clapping politely as well.
Aaron stood up and helped Olivia to her feet. "Now go out there and prove that woman wrong."
She nodded, taking deep breaths to try and calm her racing heart. She walked on stage. Aaron watched her from the wings.
"Hello again, Olivia," Frank said. "How are you?"
"Better," she replied.
"Are you ready to sing?" he asked. "You can take a few more minutes to calm down if you need to."
"No." She shook her head. "I'm ready now."
"Alright then. Whenever you're ready."
The intro to "On My Own" started playing. Olivia opened her mouth and began to sing.
Aaron was speechless. Her voice might not be as polished as Cora's was, but it was jam-packed with raw emotion and passion. She sang softly at first, gaining power as time went by. He could almost feel how much she wanted this part. Frank could feel it too. Aaron saw it in his face. Cheryl, however, looked disinterested, like Olivia was wasting her time.
When Olivia hit the high note at the end of the song, Aaron could feel goosebumps crawling up his arms. He had gained a lot of respect for this girl. When the song finished, he and Frank both stood and clapped loudly.
Cheryl didn't bother clapping at all. She stood. "Are you done?" she asked. "Because I think we both know who is getting this part. Don't we, Frank?"
"We're going to go and have a little chat now. Go ahead and have a seat, sweetheart," Frank addressed Olivia.
She walked back over toward Aaron, who was waiting for her in the wings with a big smile.
"That. Was. AMAZING. Where did you learn to sing like that?" He asked.
"I've only been taking voice lessons for about a year," she explained. "At my first lesson, my teacher looked like he might pass out when he first heard me sing. He told me he'd never heard anything quite like my voice."
"Same here. I got goosebumps listening to you."
She seemed sort of embarrassed. "Did you really?" she asked. Her cheeks were tinted a light shade of pink.
He nodded. "You're a shoe-in for the role. Cora has nothing on you."
She just grinned and sat on the ground. He sat next to her.
Cora entered the wings, coming to a stop in front of the pair. She flipped her hair over her shoulder.
"Just so you know," she started, "I've been involved in every single theatrical production my mother has ever directed, and she gets me the lead role in each one. I've been on Broadway since I was eight. What makes you think you even have a chance?" she asked.
"Everyone gets a fair chance, Cora," Olivia replied. "I have as much of a chance of landing that part as you do."
Cora laughed. "I doubt it, Olga."
"It's Olivia. Not Olga. Don't call me that," Olivia persisted.
Cora just laughed again and walked away.
"Girls!" Frank's voice was heard from the orchestra pit. "We've made a decision. Would you both come out on stage, please?"
Both girls did as they were told.
Aaron saw Cheryl smile knowingly at her daughter. He got a sick feeling in his stomach.
"After much persistent debating, we've reached a decision," Frank began. "We would like to offer the part of Eponine to…"
A/N: Oooh, Cliffhanger! Who do you think should get the part? Cast your vote in the poll in my profile! The first person to get 5 votes will win the part!