(Warning – This story will not load properly, for whatever reason. Therefore, do not be surprised if it does not read right.)
A/N: Okay…I'm cutting this off early. I hope you enjoyed the story!
The positive news is that after I tie up some loose ends (reviews for a group I'm in, one more fanfic and an original short story, to be specific), I plan to work on a regular House fic.
Happy Reading!
Chapter Thirteen
Grand Gala
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen! My name is Claire Havilland and I would like to welcome you to the Grand Gala performance of the Phantom of the Opera.
"For the last seven and a half weeks, the Angel Road Theatre Company has been preparing to present this musical. The cast members have put in countless hours – under my tutelage – to learn the story, songs and dance that make up the program. As such, I will not delay any further.
"I would like to thank you for coming this evening and now, I proudly present the Angel Road Theatre Company and the Phantom of the Opera."
Taking care to close the curtains behind her, Claire rustled across the stage at top speed. Before the train on the director's gown disappeared into the wings, there was a dramatic timpani roll and the orchestra began the overture. Alan Richards, Charles Strathmore and Robert Chase were waiting anxiously at the edge of the stage for their cues, and Claire felt sorry for them. Only a few more moments, and one of the biggest performance of their lives would begin.
Further in, Claire saw a crowd of people milling about. It was a mess, and she knew that they needed to get organized.
"Company members in front please! I need the Ballet Rats directly behind…Dr. Cameron and Miss Simpson, this includes you! Ms. Warner, I would like you at the head of the Ballet group – you need to keep them in line. Mister Richards will do his best to blend in with the Company, as he needs to move to the opposite side after the prologue. Doctor Cuddy, please stand behind the Company and don't worry about Doctor Foreman – he will enter from the opposite side of the stage after the first few verses of the song.
"Sweet Mother Goddess…I hope all of you are more prepared when it comes to scene two!"
Shortly Before Scene 4
Still in Act 1
"Hurry, please, Rob!" Claire hissed from the wings.
Chase trotted as fast as he could offstage. Havilland – who had donned a headset after setting the prologue – pushed the doctor off for his costume change, and then began to rap out orders for the stage hands.
"Make sure Drs. House and Cameron are in the boat…Hand House his pole!"
Greg looked back and Claire gave him a thumbs-up.
"Hurry, hurry…Push, push, push! Those doctors need to be onstage now, people!"
The director watched approvingly as the boat started along the track and Allison broke into song. Claire lingered only a moment longer, then turned her back on the scene in front of her.
"Make sure the set pieces roll out in the proper order…They have to be in place by the time that boat completes its revolution!
"Where is everyone for scene seven? It will be here before they know it!"
Almost as soon as the words spilled from Claire's mouth, someone herded the necessary cast members into the wings.
"Don't worry about Drs. Cameron and House…They'll go to a separate curtain section, because they have to come back out shortly after they go off. Mister Mullins, please make sure you're at the head of the Ballet Rats – you're the vital opener in this scene. Miss Simpson, you're still the informal leader of the Rats – once you sit, Miss Byrne and Miss Laurie will follow, and then the rest will take their seats. Ms. Warner, I'd ask that you stay to the back of the Rats, as you do not have to enter right away."
Looking to the very back, Claire saw the actors who would be in the scene to follow, and she smiled.
Opening of Act 2
Closing Minutes of the Intermission
Having socialized as much as possible for the time she had, Claire scrambled backstage and threw her headset back on over her French twist.
"The staircase is in place…Good. Are the mannequins in place? Terrific! Orchestra moved and set? Lovely! Has Dr. House been secured into his harness and did someone triple-check the wires? Excellent!
"To your marks, ladies and gentlemen! The intermission is almost over…places please! All of you did a first-rate job for the last act – let's keep up the good work!"
Noting that everyone was where they should be, Claire hustled into place and signaled the stage manager.
"Instruments up, orchestra! Back from intermission in five, four…"
Close of Act 2
Moments before the End of the Musical
Greg and Ali were finishing up onstage, which was causing Claire to go crazy.
"If you are not in assigned group, please line up in front. Ballet Rats, behind the Company members – I want Romy in front and Becca bringing up the rear…Don't forget to hold hands, ladies! Behind the Ballet Rats, I want Tara, Melanie, Christina, Alex and Toby, in that order. Behind Toby should be Alfred, Charles and Alan. The eight of you should enter as a group.
"Stacy, you and Katherine will go out together. Everyone should be holding hands as they make their entrance, so they can go straight into the bow! Eric, you are to lead Lisa out. James and Thomas together, if you please. Robert, you will take a separate curtain call, followed by Allison and finally by Gregory."
Realizing she couldn't keep them in order for the entire wait, Claire hurried the half of the Company and Katherine up the nearest ladder, so they could climb down the portcullis in time to make their final cue. No sooner had the director boosted the last foot onto the ladder than the boat came in. Claire signaled to Chase to drop the pole and then helped Cameron get out without tearing her dress.
The director peered onto the stage just in time to see the torsos of the Company appear at the top of the portcullis, so she stood by tensely as House dissolved into his cloak and Katherine played her biggest part in the entire musical. Not even staying to watch the curtain close, Claire raced back to help the stage hands get House out of his harness, then threw him his prop cane so he'd be able to hobble out for his curtain call.
Before Claire even had time to think, the designated groups of actors were filing onto the stage and bowing. Leaving Greg to his own devices, Claire hurried along the line to make sure everyone was in order and that the bunches weren't crowding in on top of each other. The procession moved quickly, so the director was urging House onto the stage in no time. As expected, the crowd's reception of Greg was spectacular, and there were cheers and catcalls from all over the theatre. Having sent everyone out, Claire stood politely in the wings and applauded with the rest of the audience.
"Claire! Come on, Claire! Come out here!"
Unable to resist the pleas of the doctors, Claire glided out to the forefront of the Company and executed a deep curtsy. As she came back up, the director noticed that Andrew Lloyd Webber and his cadre of former cast members were in the front few rows – everyone was grinning from ear to ear, and applauding so hard, their hands were turning burgundy. Feeling one last burst of energy rising from the Company and a swell of music from the orchestra, the director moved back to stand between her two principals.
"You alone can make our song take flight – help us make the Music of the Night!"