Hello everyone again! I hope you enjoying the story so far. I don't know if anyone is, because no one is reviewing! I am trying to get this out as fast as I can, but don't know if any of you appreciate it. Please review.
On with chapter 16!
Chapter 16: Casting Call
The next morning the six friends assembled after breakfast. Nerina told them during breakfast that she had stayed up late reading the whole musical, and had picked out parts for everyone.
"Alright," she said while studying her notes on the cast list page. "So before I tell you what parts I think you will do well in, I will tell you the story.
"The musical starts at Cair Paravel at your coronation. Everyone is rejoicing over the defeat of the White Witch. A bard comes out to entertain, and is asked to tell the story of Jadis. He begins, and the rest of the musical is a flashback.
"He tells of Jadis and her sister playing in Charn's castle. Jadis was always teased because she could not control her magic. Everyone always compared her to her sister, Janna, who was quiet and never bothered anyone. Jadis did not like this, but she still loved her sister. One day a new advisor moves into the castle, bringing his daughter, Talina. Talina is the exact opposite of Jadis, making her just like Janna. Jadis and Talina always argue, but Talina introduces Janna to Gian, whom Janna immediately falls in love with, and so Jadis decides that Talina can't be that bad, and they become close friends.
"A few weeks later, a young man named Bersaro visits the castle. Talina and Bersaro start courting, much to Jadis' sadness. She likes Bersaro, but does not want to tell Talina, for fear it will destroy their friendship.
"Time goes by, and there are rumors that Aslan is coming to Charn. Even in Charn they know of the Great Lion. It was always Jadis' wish to meet him, in the hope that he would teach her how to control her magic, so that she could get back at all those who mocked her, and still continued to do so. Aslan eventually arrives, and requests that Jadis and Talina meet him outside the city's gates. They meet him, and he gives Talina a special book of magic spells so that she could continue helping the citizens of Charn. Jadis hopes to get her wish, but instead Aslan tells her that she is fine the way she is, and should forgive the people who make fun of her. Jadis is extremely enraged by this, and her magic hoes out of control, causing her to fly away.
"Months later, Janna and Bersaro are engages, and everything is fine until Jadis returns, demanding that Janna give up the throne. She refuses, and the two sisters rally their troops. Jadis has learned to control her magic and now knows how to get what she wants. Both sisters promise not to use magic in the war, but Janna breaks the promise, so Jadis retaliates. She puts a spell on Bersaro, making him fall in love with her. In the war he is killed, and she desperately tries every spell she knows, but she can't bring him back. She continues to watch the war, and on the third day, Talina visits her, to tell Jadis that she forgives her. Jadis begins to reconcile, but looking out the window she sees the last soldier fall. She runs to meet her sister on the palace stairs, and just when it seems Janna has won, Jadis speaks the deplorable word, making everything die. Jadis then performs a spell, so that she will be wakened when a magic bell is rung, so that she may find a way to escape Charn and take over the world of whoever woke her. She is woken by two human children by the names of Polly and Diggory."
"Doesn't that name sound familiar?" interrupted Susan.
"Sort of," said Lucy.
"Oh well," shrugged Susan, "it doesn't matter. Sorry for interrupting."
Nerina smiled. "That's alright. Anyway, the flashback ends when she leaves Charn. The Narnian bard finishes his tale, and everyone sings a song to the new monarchs."
"It sounds so exciting!" exclaimed Lucy. "What parts have you chosen for us?"
"Lucy, you will be Janna," said Nerina.
"Really?!" The girl's eyes lit up. "Thank you! I can't wait!"
"Susan will play Talina, forcing her to use her beautiful voice," continued the Princess with a smirk.
Susan laughed and sighed. "Oh alright then. Thank you, I shall rise to the challenge."
"Adelphos will play Gian, Peter will be Bersaro, and Edmund-"
"I don't know if I want to do this," said Edmund.
"Oh come on Ed, it will be fun," his older brother coaxed. "I'm going to do it."
"You don't need to be a born-singer," added Nerina. "We are just going to have fun with it. Besides, I want you to play a very important part."
"Really?" His interest was sparked.
"Yes. I have chosen you to play Aslan."
Edmund's eyes widened. "Oh. All right then. Yeah. I guess I could give it a try."
Everyone laughed.
"Now all we need are a few more minor character, a chorus, and an orchestra," said Nerina.
"Let the fun begin," smiled Adelphos.
NTMNTMNTMNTM
"No! No! No! Stop everyone!" yelled Nerina over the orchestra.
It was now August, and "The Ice Queen" had been cast. Mr. Tumnus was playing Jadis' tutor, and about twenty more Narnians were in the cast as well. The role of Jadis was being played by none other than Dralyra, the nymph whom Peter had danced with at both the Coronation Ball and his party. She was ecstatic to be cast as someone who had a romantic scene and song with the High King. However, currently she was the source of Nerina's yelling. Again.
"Dralyra!" she called when everyone was silent. "Please! Use more emotion! You need to feel the music and portray Jadis' feelings through it!"
As she was saying this, Adelphos walked onstage and down the stairs to where Nerina and her assistant were sitting. The two Arcadians had wasted no time in updating the Cair Paravel Theater with everything the Arcadian theaters had. They were also training Narnians so that once they returned to Arcadia, the Narnians would have the experience to put on their own productions.
"Nerina, may I speak with you privately?" her friend asked.
"Sure," she replied, her patience wearing thin. "We all need a break. Take a few minutes to go over your parts!" she yelled to everyone before joining Adelphos outside of the theater.
"What is it?" she asked.
"How long and how much worse is it going to get until you see you have to take over Dralyra's part?!" exclaimed Adelphos. "She follows Peter everywhere, and is starting to get on his nerves, but he won't say anything because of the musical. She tries to spread rumors about everyone, but luckily no one believes her. She thinks she's Aslan's gift to this production! And on top of that, she can't portray Jadis properly!"
I can take the rain on the roof of this empty house
That don't bother me
I can take a few tears now and then and just let them out
Nerina sighed heavily and ran her hands over her face. "I know, but she is the only one who auditioned that came remotely close to what we want. I wish Filia were here. She could do it, except that she is a soprano, and Jadis' songs are written for an alto."
"That's because-" Adelphos shook his head. "You would be perfect for Jadis! What don't you just admit it, go in there, and sing?!"
"I told you Adelphos," Nerina snapped, "I don't want to. I would much rather direct."
I'm not afraid to cry every once in a while
Even though going on with you gone still upsets me
There are days every now and again I pretend I'm ok
But that's not what gets me…
Adelphos looked hurt.
"I'm sorry dear friend," said Nerina softly. She hugged him. "I just need time before I perform on stage again."
What hurts the most…And never knowing
What could have been
And not seeing that loving you
Is what I was tryin' to do
"That's alright," he replied, trying to be cheerful. He pulled back and smiled his crooked smile. "You are doing a wonderful job as director. I'm sorry too for trying to push you."
Nerina smiled back and started to go back into the theater. "Let's go. Who knows? Maybe Dralyra will surprise us."
It's hard to deal with the pain of losing you everywhere I go
But I'm doin' it
A half-hour later it looked as if Nerina could not have been more wrong in her hopes. She and Dralyra were still working on the same scene, which was where Jadis tries to bring Gian back from the dead.
"No Dralyra!" the frustrated director yelled once more. "No you are putting too much into it!" She climbed up the stairs and onstage. "You must feel the music," she said, trying to stay calm. "Now, think about all that has happened to Jadis. Try it again."
It's hard to force that smile when I see our old friends and I'm alone"Bersarooooo!" sang Dralyra, clearly not putting her heart into it.
"Please try it again," sighed Nerina. "Feel the music! Feel the emotion! Her sister betrayed her, her lover died, and everyone hates her. Think about it and feel the emotion! You cannot merely sing his name," her voice continuing to rise as she got more and more worked up. "You must grab those feelings, let them burst out of you, and sing "Bersaroooooo!"
Still harder
Getting up, getting dressed, livin' with this regret
You could have heard a pin drop in that theater when Nerina finished singing. Everyone was in shock of the loud and emotion-filled name that Nerina had belted out. The young woman's eyes grew large in realization of what she had done, and quickly clamped her hand over her mouth.
What hurts the most…
Adelphos broke the deafening silence by running to Nerina.
"You did it! You can belt out songs again! This is great!" Turning to Dralyra, he added, "I'm sorry, but we won't be needing you anymore. I hope you had fun though."
The nymph's eyes narrowed. "Excuse me?" she asked with an attitude. "I am the star. You can't just fire me. You aren't even the director."
"No, but I speak for her when I say that it has been great working with you, and it was nice meeting you, but Nerina needs to play this part. I am really sorry."
"You can't do this to me!" she shrieked. Looking around at all the solemn faces, she stopped. "Fine," she said in a huff. "I'll go. I will miss you Peter," she said dramatically. "It's been fun." Then she left.
"Oh pu-lease," remarked Susan, rolling her eyes. "Anyway, you were wonderful Nerina! Please sing the rest of the song!"
Nerina shook her head. "I have to direct. And now, thanks to Adelphos, we lost the star. Now what am I supposed to do?"
And not seeing that loving you
Is what I was trying to do…
"Sing!" said Lucy. "Please? You just have to! The part was meant for you!"
The rest of the cast agreed.
Nerina looked around frantically. "No, I…I…I…I…I must-" Tears rolled down her cheeks. "I can't!" she sobbed, running off the stage and out of sight.
Not seeing that loving you…
"I'll go after her," said Adelphos.
"No, I will," said Susan solemnly. "I think she needs another girl to talk to right now." Quickly she ran after her best friend.
Once again the theater was silent.
"Come on everyone," Adelphos said. He turned to Nerina's assistant. "Gavlet?" The saphyr looked up.
"Yes?" he asked.
"You seem very capable of directing for a bit. Take charge."
"Yes sir!" Gavlet responded eagerly. "We are finally going to move on everyone! Take your places for Act 2, Scene 6!"
That's what I was trying to do…
Song Used-What Hurts the Most by Rascal Flatts, my favorite band
The musical is, as some of you may have recognized, my adaptation on my second favorite Broadway musical, Wicked.
Please review!
Thanks!
Haras