Les Miz at the Community Theatre
DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own the rights to GLEE or Les Miserables. They all belong to their respective creative inventors, publication, and production intenties.
A/N: Sorry this took so long to update. Life has been kinda shitty the past few weeks.
I know in the show, Mr Schue gave up the role of Val Jean to Mr Ryan, but neither one would've been right for the role anyway, so I recast him into another role. Those who know about the play know what I mean; if you don't, go do some research and you'll see what I mean. Also, slight Rachel bashing, but she needs to be taken down a few pegs, in my opinion.
Chapter 2 - Cast Listing
Rachel had skipped out after lunch that Friday and was now pacing up and down the hallway of the theater; waiting to see the cast list go up. She was absolutely certain that she would be getting the role of Fantine. Her audition had been flawless, of course. She had given a very moving rendition of "Right Here Waiting" which she felt had cemented her name in the director's mind. One of the doors along the hallway opened up and out walked the director with two sheets of paper in his hand. He walked up to the bulletin board, tacked up the papers, and headed back into the office shutting the door behind himself.
Running up to the board, Rachel skimmed her finger down the lines to Fantine and followed it across. MacEvoy, Susan. There had to be some mistake. Repeating the action produced the same result. Looking up at the sheet in its entirety, Rachel finally found her name opposite the role of Cosette (adult). Cosette, the sheltered girl who winds up getting the boy in the end. 'This would not stand!'
Straightening her back, she turned and marched straight into the director's office. "Excuse me, sir, we need to talk."
"And just who are you?"
"Rachel Berry. I'm in your play, but there seems to be a mistake. I auditioned for the role of Fantine and it said Cosette on the cast list. I'm sure it was just some kind of typing error and wanted-"
"No, there's no mistake. I know who I cast. You're Cosette."
"That's not possible. I have perfect pitch and an impeccable vocal range. Who else could possibly meet the criteria needed for such a demanding role?"
"MacEvoy. She had a similar range to you and has the maturity to pull off the role convincingly."
"What? So you're saying because I'm still in high school that I don't have the skill to fill the role?"
"No. I'm saying because you are immature and haven't lived enough life that you couldn't do it. Do you have any idea what it feels like to have your entire life snatched away from you and flushed down the crapper? Do you know what it feels like to sacrifice everything you have to take care of someone you love? No? I didn't think so. Besides, someone with any kind of maturity wouldn't be barging in here arguing about what role she was or wasn't given like a spoiled brat. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have important business to attend." With a wave of his hand, the director flipped through some notes and started to reach for the phone.
Rachel stood there, eyes wide and mouth gaping. She finally shook her head, took a step away from the desk, and turned to the door.
This was just wrong. She always got the star role. Who was this Susan MacEvoy and what made her so much more "convincing" than she could have been? Research was needed. With that thought in mind, Rachel stormed out of the building on a mission.
*****
Tina walked up to the cast list, closed her eyes, took a deep breath and then scanned the sheets of paper for her name. There it was. Cohen-Chang, Tina: Eponine. She smiled, excited to have gotten the part she wanted. She scanned over the main characters to see if there were any names she recognized. Rogers, Allen T.: Jean Valjean. Matthews, John: Javert. She'd seen both of them a few months ago in a production of "Anything Goes," so they were seasoned actors.
Schuester, Will: Marius. Tina had to laugh. That'd be a bit of a stretch and kind of uncomfortable if she thought too hard about having to act like she was in love with the person who was her teacher. MacEvoy, Susan: Fantine. Berry, Rachel: Cosette (adult). Oh, great. Rachel wouldn't be happy about not getting the tragic heroine role with the memorable songs. This could make rehearsals as fun as getting a tooth pulled without Novocaine. Puckerman, Noah: Enjolras. What the -! Tina paused and reread the line. Yes, there was no mistaking it; there was his name in black and white.
"Huh, who would've guessed he'd try out?"
"I could say the same about you, gothika."
Tina gasped and spun around only to come face to face with the very same Noah Puckerman.
"H-how long have you been standing there?"
"Long enough," he said with a shrug. "So, what part did I get?"
"Enjolras."
"Ahnj-what? Is that a big part?"
Tina turned and began to make her way out to the parking lot, somewhat surprised to see Puck following her. "Not really big, but definitely important. He's the leader of the student rebels."
"Rebel leader, cool. So, I get the chick in the end. That's the way it's supposed to go, right?"
"No," Tina said with a giggle as she smirked at him. "You end up dying in the big standoff."
"Ouch. What about you're part?"
"I'm in love with your best friend, Marius, but he doesn't even know I exist. I get shot and die right before the big battle, in his arms."
"Huh, so a musical about a bunch of people dying."
"Well, there is a reason it's called "The Miserable Ones," Puck."
"Whatever. I'm just here for the hotties, Asian," he said as he backed her up against her car.
"Pfft, I should've guessed," Tina said with much more bravado than she felt. What was Puck doing so close to her and what were all these butterflies doing fluttering around in her chest?
Puck looked her over from head to toe. It was always a thrill to see a girl flush and the pulse in her neck to speed up whenever he surprised them with his sex appeal. "So, looks like we'll be spending plenty of time together."
"I-I suppose so."
"I'm looking forward to it," he said, the back of his right hand brushing against her cheek following her jaw. Tina couldn't help but close her eyes at the feather light touch. Her head followed the touch and felt bereft when his hand settled on the car near her hip. "See you tomorrow, Ti."
Tina's eyes sprung open. 'Not only does he know my name, he thinks we're on a nickname basis. Danger!' her mind screamed out to her.
Pushing away, Puck gave her one last look before turning to head to his own vehicle. "I do have a boyfriend you know?" Tina said, finally finding her voice.
Puck turned back to answer. "When has that ever stopped me?" he said with his best bad boy smirk.
"Why you-"
"Besides, if you and Wheels were as serious as you say, you would've done something different from the moment you figured out I was behind you back inside," he said, jerking his hand to the building. "Looks like he could have some competition if I set my mind to it."
Once again, he turned his back to her as he quickly climbed into the cab of his truck. Tina watched his movements, silently fuming to herself. How dare he try to treat her like any of the other cheap tramp that he'd been with. And damn her stupid girly emotions for deciding that this would be the perfect time to kick in. 'Well, seems like Puck really is the same person whether there's anyone else around to see or not,' she thought as she opened her car door.
Starting up the engine, Tina pulled out of the parking spot dreading the thought of rehearsals. Between Puck hitting on her - and probably whoever else caught his eye - and Rachel being, well, Rachel, this show looked to have all the triggers needed for massive migraine meltdowns. Wonderful.
A/N: Haven't decided if I want to tie this story in somehow with my other "She protests too much." What do you guys think?