Gabriella lightly tapped the lady in front of her.
"Excuse me; is this where the New York Art Academy drama is performing Phantom of the Opera?"
"Yes my dear; it will start in about 5 minutes." Breathing a sigh of relief that she had made it in time, the college girl quickly found her seat and sat down in it. Ryan had not told her what part he was playing; most of the phone call he had spent apologizing that he had a performance on Valentine's Day. Gabbi didn't mind it at all; she loved to see Ryan perform. It always gave her shivers of pleasure hearing his voice echo off the walls. It is the kind of shivers you get whenever you hear a note so pure and light and pretty that your soul seems to follow it to whatever its destination is. Ryan was just so good at what he did; it gave you tingles watching him on a roll.
Curiosity got the best of the youngest Montez, and she sought after a program. Once she found one, she flipped it open. It so read;
Phantom of the Opera
starring
Rebecca Montgomery
as Christine
Ryan Evans
as the Phantom
Thomas O'Riley
as Raoul
"I thought for sure he would be Raoul!" Gabriella thought aloud. "But the Phantom…oh wow." Her heart fluttered at the thought of him singing "Music of the Night." She knew his voice had been no where near trained enough for the part back in high school. Perhaps a year of college voice lessons had changed that.
Very soon, the performance was in full swing. Ms. Montgomery turned out to be a very good soprano but had a little trouble with the lower notes. Gabbi squirmed in her seat, waiting for the Phantom to reveal himself. She was so tense that she nearly jumped out of her skin when someone whispered "Gabriella?" softly in her ear.
"Chad!" she gasped. "What are you doing here?"
The basketball player grinned sheepishly. "Did Troy ever tell you about my mom and Phantom of the Opera? They are like peanut butter and jelly; one can't do without the other." Gabbi rolled her eyes at his lame pun. "When she heard Troy talkin' about you going up to see Ryan in what she considers the best musical of all time….well, you can see the results." Gabbi giggled.
"I didn't think he would get chosen as the Phantom, did you? Personally, I pictured him more as a Raoul kind of character." Chad shrugged his shoulders.
"You really think I have seen the play?"
"Anyways, this should be really good." Suddenly, Gabriella waved Chad quiet (never mind the fact that she had been the last one talking), for Christine and Meg had just finished their duet. And the mounting drum roll indicated the Phantom was near at hand. Gabbi, having the musical memorized by heart, saw the signs and sat bolt upright in her seat, shaking with excitement.
"Insolent boy! This slave of fashion basking in your glory! Ignorant fool! This brave young suitor, sharing in my triumph!" Though lower than normal, there was no mistaking Ryan Evan's glorious voice. Chad's eyebrows had risen several inches.
"Man, that dude can sing!"
"Shut your face!" Gabriella hissed, not wanting any distractions. She barely restricted herself from informing all the people around her that that was her own boyfriend singing the song.
"Angel! I hear you! Speak -I listen . . . stay by my side,guide me! Angel, my soul was weak -forgive me . . . enter at last, Master!" Rebecca was singing back, looking bewilderedly, but earnestly, around her. Gabbi felt a little green jealously piercing her heart, the scene of "Past the Pont of No Return" running over her brain.
"He's an actor," she firmly reminded herself. "Don't belittle him"
"Flattering child, you shall know me, see why in shadow I hide! Look at your face in the mirror - I am there inside!" And the Phantom came out of the mirror, offering his hand to little Christine. His half mask made Ryan almost unrecognizable. Gel had slicked back his blonde hair, and the black cape seemed to make him taller than his voice already was making him.
"Angel of Music! Guide and guardian! Grant to me your glory! Angel of Music! Hide no longer! Come to me, strange angel..."
"I am your Angel ... Come to me: Angel of Music ..."
Chad barely kept himself from laughing when he turned to face Gabriella. She was hardly touching her seat, and her eyes never left Ryan's face.
After another song, to Gabbi's delight, "Music of the Night" started. She closed her eyes; sinking into a mini-heaven of the dark lullaby. Danforth nudged her when the song was over, just to make sure that she hadn't gone to sleep.
The twin's girlfriend never found a moment to relax throughout the entire show. When the Ryan dramatically smashed the mirrors and ran offstage, she rocketed out of her seat and clapped her hands until they hurt. All the minor characters came on first for a bow, then Raoul, then Christine—and then, the Phantom himself. Catcalls and screams of approval filled the Performing Arts Center, and Ryan threw his half-mask into the crowd. Gabbi beamed at him, and let out a loud whistle with the help of two fingers. His head jerked over in her direction, and their eyes met. Gabriella beamed at him, and a radiating smile returned her feelings. Once the director had thanked the crowd (and received her many bouquets of flowers), Ryan was swamped with laughing drama girls, all showering him with compliments about how amazing he was. Gabriella and Chad waded through the mob, and once she reached her destination was spun around by Ryan.
"Chad!" he shouted in surprise, giving Chad their ritual handshake (that seemed to take about 15 minutes). "What the heck are you doing here?"
"You know my mom," the tall, muscular boy laughed.
"Back off, girls; he's got a boyfriend," Ryan informed the highly interested girls who had gathered. Pouting, they dispersed, leaving the three old friends alone. Well, almost alone. The director reemerged, a professional-looking man in a business suit. He introduced himself as Mr. Garza, and shook hands with Ryan.
"I just wanted to personally say how much I enjoyed your outstanding performance," he said cordially. Gabriella beamed, and laced her arms around Ryan's left arm. He squeezed her hand, and smiled at the businessman.
"Thank you very much, sir"
"So, I am guessing you are a senior here?"
"Oh no sir; I'm a freshman." The man's eyes grew the size of plates.
"A freshman? Your voice told me quite the opposite. Your voice added about 5 inches and 50 pounds to your stature as well." Ryan blushed slightly, and shrugged modestly.
"I do tend to sing loudly, sir"
"That's not a bad thing, you know. To get to the point of why I'm here…I am a representative of Broadway, and we were looking for someone to play the part of Rolfe in 'Sound of Music'." Ryan's hand tightened around Gabbi's, and she squeezed back comfortingly. "You have the right looks and talent we are looking for and it would definitely be a great boost for your acting and singing career. I am not guaranteeing that you will get the part; but, to add a personal note, you are the best tenor of your age I have heard in a long time. I am not asking you to choose right now; but please give it consideration. Here's my card, and our first rehearsal tryouts start next Monday. Hope to see you there!" And with a fatherly pat on the back, the man was gone. It took about 17 seconds for the news to sink in; and then all four people on stage were whooping like complete maniacs.
"BROADWAY, RYAN!" Chad bellowed, slapping him on the back. "I ALWAYS KNEW YOU HAD IT IN YOU!"
"You are sure to get the part!" Gabbi squealed. Ryan couldn't stop laughing.
"I don't believe it!" he almost cried; his eyes were moist with happiness. "I just don't believe it!" Swallowing his ecstatic urges, he turned on a more serious note to his girlfriend. He pulled her into an embrace, and ran his hand through her hair.
"Would you be able to make the commitment, Gabs?" She blinked at him bewilderedly.
"What are you talking about? This is your Broadway moment; not mine." He smiled his melting smile at her; the one with his heart in his eyes.
"You honestly think I would even try out for Broadway if my Gabs was not going to be with me the entire time." Her eyes widened, and Gabriella's jaw dropped with joyful disbelief.
"You mean….I WOULD GET TO HANG OUT WITH AN ACTUAL BROADWAY CAST???"
"Why not?" Ryan laughed. "You could even try out for Liesl; it would do me a huge favor. I would much rather kiss you than some random girl. Anyways, even if you didn't get her part, you could try out for Louisa or a different sister"
"Ryan…" Gabbi stuttered, "this is the BEST Valentine's present you could ever have given me." Ryan rubbed his nose against her, and pecked her on the lips.
"Ahem," Chad said loudly, reminding the two that he and the director were still there. "And, of course; if the E-man makes it to Broadway, he will totally give discounts for all of his friends to come watch." Ryan rolled his eyes, and nodded. Gabriella suddenly giggled.
"What is it?" Ryan inquired.
"I'm just thinking about an old high school teacher…wait until old Mrs. Darbus hears about this!!"
