Staged
"Alright guys and gals!" said the director, "this is opening night!"
Months of practice led to this moment on this soggy Friday night. School was over for the day, and now only the performers remained. Lola and the rest of the cast prepared for their first performance of the week.
Lola, with one of her costumes bundled up in her arms, walked down the aisle of the auditorium. She's been in the auditorium only once or twice, but today it seemed exceptionally large. Perhaps it was because it was empty, save for the few cast members on the stage. Or perhaps it was because of something else…
"Ok kids, move it! Get into costume! Put on some make up! The people will start coming soon!"
Lola clutched her costume as she made her way back stage. Lola was lost in her thoughts, oblivious to those around her.
"Hey Lola?"
Lola lifted her head to see the person whom called her name.
"What's wrong? You look gloomy…"
"I dunno Rodney; I just got this queasy feeling in my stomach…"
"You're just getting a little stage fright, we all get that,"
"I guess so…it's that I feel like this is the moment of truth. I feel like I'm under a microscope…"
"You're worried about your mom?"
"Yeah…part of me doesn't care whether I stink or not…but, this other part of me wants to be the performer she wants me to be. If I don't do this right, I'd be letting her, and the entire cast down…"
"Lola, you're being too hard on yourself. You'll do great out there. It's not the end of the world, just do what you've been doing for all these months, and I'm sure your mother will be proud,"
Lola smiled half heartedly, but quickly blushed when she felt him embrace her.
Nicole peeked through the curtains and witnessed the embrace. She huffed to herself, but then felt a hand on her shoulder. The hand pulled her away from the curtain, and she found its owner.
"Andy?!"
"What are you doing…" he went past her and peeked through the curtain and saw Lola and Rodney talking to each other.
"What are you doing spying on people?"
"You're one to talk…"
"Nicole, what is your problem?! What have you got against her?"
Nicole just folded her arms and looked away from him.
"Surely you're not jealous of her, are you?"
"I AM NOT!" she snapped
Everyone on stage shuddered at her scream, and looked at her.
"Oh I see…" Andy just cracked a smile
With that, he left her side, with a devious smile on his face.
On the other side of the curtain…someone slipped backstage to find Lola.
"Hey!"
"Oh hey Petunia!" said Lola
"Hey girl, how are ya?"
"I'm…ok…"
"Just ok?"
"Yeah, a bit nervous,"
"Oh don't worry, you'll do fine," she said
"You're coming to the show?"
"Of course! I wouldn't miss it,"
"C'mon you guys! Hurry it up!" urged the director from the other side of the curtain
"Well…duty calls," said Lola
"Alright, I'll see you later…" she said heading back out, "I'll be in the front row!"
Lola waved goodbye as Petunia disappeared through the curtain. Lola walked further backstage and walked into the girl's dressing room.
Lola and the other girls were putting on their costumes. Lola was trying on each of her costumes to see that they all fit well. She was on trying on her final costume from the last scene.
"Aww! Lola you look so pretty in that dress!" said one of the chorus girls
"Uh…thanks?" said Lola turning around to face her, a little confused
"Oh c'mon, look in the mirror!"
She grabbed Lola's wrist and took her to the full-length mirror.
"See?"
Lola stood before the mirror
I…look like a…girl…
She was wearing a long red dress, with a black bodice and a white undershirt. The dress did accent her figure quite nicely. Although she felt very uncomfortable; she kind of liked the way she looked…
"Now we gotta fix up your hair!" said the girl
They pulled up a chair for her, and sat her in front of the mirror. One of the other girls then began to work her magic on Lola's messy golden locks.
Lola was in agony the whole time, the pulling on her hair by the brush and the burning of the hair dryer was painful. She could barely see what they were doing to her hair, since other girls decided to help out and they blocked the view to the mirror. And then they started doing her make-up, so now she had no idea what was going on.
"Ok Lola, you ready?" They said after what seemed forever to Lola.
"Yeah," muttered Lola
They stepped away and Lola dared to open her eyes.
Her long hair was made into curls, and tied back at the top slightly to keep out of her shoulders. Her bangs where curled as well. Her ears were tucked into a bun by a red ribbon. Her eyes had a slight dark eye shadow, and her lips had a soft red glimmer. Her cheeks had a slight pink blush to them.
"Well?" inquired the other girls
Lola was speechless
"Lola? Are you ok?"
"I'm fine," Lola managed to say, "I'm just…amazed that's me."
The other girls put their hands comfortingly on her shoulder
"Well, of course its you," said the girl
"I look so…different…"
"You look pretty,"
"I…"
"Lola, you're beautiful, just accept it, ok?"
"Ok," she said scratching her arm nervously, "thank you all for your help."
"No problem," replied the girls
Lola looked at herself in the mirror again. The other girls went back to getting themselves ready for the show. Lola studied herself in the mirror. She was about to go back to get dressed in her first costume, until she noticed a glare over her right shoulder.
"So…you actually have breasts,"
Lola didn't say a word, but couldn't hide the slight redness from embarrassment.
"Listen up blondie, you better watch your step…and keep your dirty paws of Andy!"
Lola's expression quickly changed
"How many times must we go through this…" said Lola folding her arms
"Don't act so innocent! You're just a little leech waiting for your opportunity…you've been baiting him the whole time!"
"Honestly…something is wrong with you…" said Lola as she cocked an eyebrow
"There'll be something wrong with you if you don't quit messing with me!"
Nicole clenched her fist and swung her arm towards Lola's face. But Lola quickly caught the fist with her hand. Nicole tried to pull her fist away, but Lola's grip was too tight. With one swift movement, she twisted her wrist and shoved her away with as much of an effort. Nicole yelped in pain and massaged her wrist.
"Don't mess with me…" Lola glared coldly at Nicole
There came a knock at the door.
"Hurry up," called the voice, "show time in 10 minutes!"
The girls within the room hurried with their finishing touches. Nicole turned away infuriated. Lola stood her ground and watched as Nicole scurried away from her. Lola then had to hurry to get dressed in her first costume of the night.
Lola was dressed in the costume of her first appearance. Her character, Christine, first appears as a slave girl in the 'musical' within the musical. She felt cold and exposed in her halter-type top and low rising, semi-transparent skirt. She tried not to clank the chains on her wrist as she made her way backstage. She took a quick peek through a moth hole in the curtains and saw that the auditorium was full to capacity. She even saw that her family was there in the front row. Her mother was clearly the most eager one, complete with tape recorder and camera around her neck. Lola quickly backed away from the curtain.
She felt her heart rate double. She was taking quick breaths, feeling a bit lightheaded. Just then, she felt a gloved hand on her bare shoulder.
"Take a deep breath," whispered Andy, "Everything is gonna be fine."
He was wearing a green waistcoat with matching slacks, a red vest with a white undershirt. His long shiny red hair was slicked back into a low ponytail.
"I'm so nervous,"
"You'll do great, you'll see,"
He turned her so she could face him. He was awestruck by the way she looked.
"You…look gorgeous!" he said wide eyed
Lola blushed slightly. Before Andy could say anything else, the director came backstage and called everyone to gather. The whole cast gathered in a circle around him. They whispered in the huddle.
"Ok you guys, two minutes left to curtains. I believe in all of you, you are all wonderful! Now let's go out there and put on a show they'll never forget!"
They let out a small cheer, as not to be heard by the audience. The cast began to take their places. Lola felt someone clutch her left hand. It was Rodney. He was in full costume, with his white mask over half of his face and the flowing black cape draped over his shoulders.
"Good…I mean…Break a leg," he said smiling
"You too," she replied
Lola turned to go to her spot, but then came to face with Andy. He didn't say anything. They just stood staring at each other for a moment. Just then they heard the director introducing them on the other side of the curtain. They quickly snapped out of it and went to their spots on the stage.
The overture began, and the curtain arose…
"Oh! I'm so excited!" exclaimed Gladys
She aimed her video camera at the stage.
"Mom…"
"Brendan! Shh!" whispered Gladys
"Mom…" poked Kate
"Shhh!!"
Larry just reached over and removed the cap from the lens.
"Oh…sorry," said Gladys in an embarrassed tone
Larry just rolled his eyes.
The stage lightened and there was an auction on stage. The Bunny family was oblivious to the girl that just sat next to them in the front row.
"I don't see her…" whispered Brendan
"She doesn't come on yet…" replied Kate
"Is this one of those ridiculously long plays?" he asked as he slouched in the wooden seat
"Brendan! Be quite!" scolded their mother in a whisper
Petunia overheard their whispers; she poked Brendan, whom was closest to her.
"Hey, are you Lola's brother?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm Petunia, a friend of Lola's,"
Kate, Gladys and Larry looked over in her direction.
"I remember you," said Gladys, "You were at the hospital with us."
"Yeah, that was me,"
"It's so nice to see you again dear,"
They smiled at each other and then turned back their focus to the stage.
The broken chandelier that was being auctioned began to rise. The scene began to change.
Now the stage was full of singing in dance.
"There she is!" whispered Gladys
"Where?" asked Brendan
"Over there, with the dancers…" said Kate, "She looks so beautiful and focused."
"And exposed…does she have to be dressed so…scandalously?" said Gladys
"Well…you're the one who made her audition for the play…and you've seen this musical a hundred times…" began Larry
"But this is just a high school! Shouldn't they have…tamed it down a bit?" inquired Gladys
"You'd be amazed what happens in High School nowadays…" mumbled Kate
Gladys, Larry, and Brendan both looked at her with raised eyebrows. Petunia pretended to not have heard what was said. Kate felt the weight of their stares and slouched in her seat.
"C'mon! You're missing the action!" she muttered hoping that they would draw their attention to Lola rather than her.
The front row, as well as the rest of the audience, was stirred by the squawking heard on stage. Nicole, as Carlotta, was over singing her song on stage. Just then a sandbag fell from the rafters, near where Nicole was, with a note from the Opera Ghost. Nicole threw a fit, as was her role as the Prima Donna, and left the stage. They needed a new lead singer for the 'musical' within the musical. The actress whom played Madame Giry brought Lola to center stage.
"Christine Daae can sing it for you," she said
"A chorus girl? Don't be silly" said one of the owners
"She's been taking lessons from a great teacher,"
"Who,"
"I do not know his name monsieur, he comes to me in my sleep," said Lola
"Let her sing for you, monsieur, she has been well taught," continued Giry
"Alright come on, don't be shy now my dear," said the other owner
Lola stepped forward and the music began to play.
Think of me, think of me fondly
when we've said goodbye.
Remember me once in a while -
please promise me you'll try.
When you find that, once again, you long
to take your heart back and be free -
if you ever find a moment
spare a thought for me
While the music played, there was a smoke effect and Lola disappeared through a trap door. After a few moments, she reappeared in a beautiful white gown.
"I wish I had those special effects in High School," thought Gladys to herself
Lola continued the song
We never said our love was evergreen
or as unchanging as the sea -
but if you can still remember
stop and think of me
Think of all the things
we've shared and seen -
don't think about the things
might have been
Think of me, think of me waking,
silent and resigned
Imagine me, trying too hard
to put you from my mind.
Recall those days
look back on all those times,
think of the things we'll never do -
there will never be a day,
when I won't think of you . . .
Andy, as Raoul in the makeshift balcony, made his entrance.
Can it be? Can it be Christine?
Bravo!
Long ago, it seems so long ago
How young and innocent we were...
She may not remember me
but I remember her...
Lola then continued
Flowers fade
The fruits of summer fade
They have their seasons, so do we
but please promise me, that sometimes
you will think…of me!
Lola's voice echoed through the auditorium. The audience was in awe of her beautiful voice. Gladys was so proud; she felt a tear drop from her eye.
The musical continued on, with song, dance and drama. Gladys and Kate were entranced by the whole thing, Larry was impressed, but Brendan was trying not to fall asleep. Petunia felt so happy for Lola, she was doing so beautifully.
Several scenes later, the scene had changed once more. After the Phantom disrupted the 'musical' again, Raoul and Christine sought refuge on the roof of the 'Opera Populaire'.
"The Phantom of the opera is near!" she said as she rushed on stage. She was now in a black dress, draped with a red cape and hood.
"There is no Phantom of the Opera!" he assured her as he came in wearing a black waistcoat and grey pants.
"He won't stop till he finds me," she said turning to face him, "I can't escape."
"He's not real,"
"I've seen him Raoul…I've seen his world of unending darkness…and he will kill anyone to have me," she said turning away
The music began, Andy began to sing and comfort her
No more talk of darkness
Forget these wide-eyed fears
I'm here, nothing can harm you
My words will warm you and calm you
Let me be your freedom
Let daylight dry your tears
I'm here, with you and beside you
To guard you and to guide you
Her cape swayed as she turned to face him. She held his hands and sang to him.
Say you love me every waking moment
Turn my head with talk of summertime
Say you need me with you now and always
Promise me that all you say is true
That's all I ask of you
He embraced her, and continued the song
Let me be your shelter
Let me be your light
You're safe, no one will find you
Your fears are far behind you
She pulled gently away from. She faced the audience, and sang
All I want is freedom
A world with no more night
And you, always beside me
To hold me and to hide me
He rushed to her side, and held her close. He sang to her…
Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime
Let me lead you from your solitude
Say you need me with you here, beside you
Anywhere you go, let me go too
Christine, that's all I ask of you
She sang to him
Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime
Say the word and I will follow you
"They look so sweet together," commented Kate
"Yeah," agreed Petunia
"Why is there so much twirling around in this song?" complained Brendan
"Shh," hushed Gladys
Onstage, Lola and Andy sang to each other
Love me, that's all I ask of you
He picked her up in his arms and swirled her around the stage. Meanwhile Nicole was in the wings biting her nails. Andy and Lola stopped dancing to end the song in a harmony.
Anywhere you go, let me go too
Love me, that's all I ask of you
They came closer to each other, but what happened next caught Lola by surprise…
Instead of faking a kiss, she was pulled towards him felt his lips on hers. Her eyes shot up wide open in shock. Nicole was left with her mouth hanging wide open.
Everyone in the front row was wide-eyed as well, especially Gladys.
"That…is a real kiss…" muttered Gladys
The others nodded in agreement
When he finally released her, Lola was still in shock.
Oh my…
She had never been kissed…
So great was her shock, that she forgot her next line. Andy shook her slightly to snap her out of it.
"Uh…umm…I must go…they'll be looking for me," she finally managed to say, while her face was still beet red
"Christine I love you," he said
As soon as they exited the stage, Andy turned to face Lola. Lola couldn't find the words to say what she wanted to say. Andy just cracked a smile. He caught her face and kissed her once more.
"I do love you…" he said
Lola was still speechless.
He turned away from her and went off to get ready for the next scene. Lola was left there, astonished. She slowly brought her gloved hand to her lips.
I…can't believe he…
"Lola! Hurry!" said one of the stagehands "the Masquerade scene is up next, you gotta change costumes!"
With that, Lola snapped out of it and ran to get changed for the next scene.
"It wasn't just me right? That was a real kiss!" said Gladys
"That looked real to me," agreed Larry
"Yeah, Lola's face pretty much summed it up," added Kate, "I don't think she was expecting that."
"Why that shameless little…argh! How dare he…" grumbled Gladys
The musical continued on. Lola found it even harder to keep her mind on track, that kiss really affected her.
Many songs and dances later, the musical was up to one of its final scenes; the scene that caused Rodney and Lola many embarrassments. Lola was practically hyperventilating back stage.
I've got to do this…I gotta go through with this…
Rodney was backstage waiting to make his entrance, but he saw how scared Lola was. He went to her side.
"Lola, it's almost over…you'll be fine…" he said holding on to hands, "just take deep breaths."
Lola inhaled and exhaled
"You can do this,"
Lola nodded
Andy was about to walk on stage but he saw how close Rodney was Lola. He glared, but quickly went onstage to begin the scene.
Raoul and the owners of the opera house had devised a plan to capture the Phantom. They were going to ambush him in the production of 'Don Juan', with Christine as the bait. Christine appeared in her final costume, carrying a flower basket; awaiting for Don Juan to appear. Phantom did appear, disguised as Don Juan wearing a full black mask, and a flowing black cape. He threw open his cape and approached her while singing his song of seduction.
Past the point of no return -
no backward glances:
our games of make believe
are at an end
Past all thought of "if" or "when"
no use resisting:
abandon thought,
and let the dream descend
What raging fire shall flood the soul?
What rich desire unlocks its door?
What sweet seduction lies before us?
Past the point of no return,
the final threshold, what warm,
unspoken secrets will we learn?
Beyond the point of no return
Lola threw away her fears and truly became Christine when she made her entrance to the song.
You have brought me to that moment
where words run dry, to that moment
where speech disappears into silence,
silence…
I have come here, hardly knowing
the reason why,
In my mind, I've already
imagined our bodies entwining
defenseless and silent
and now I am here with you:
no second thoughts, I've decided,
decided…
Lola's family was in a bit of shock to see their youngest member look so…mature, definitely beyond her years.
Onstage, Christine and Phantom were climbing the stairs to reach the bridge. Christine continued to sing.
Past the point of no return
no going back now;
our passion-play has now, at last,
begun…
Past all thought of right or wrong
one final question;
how long should we two wait, before
we're one?
When will the blood begin to race
the sleeping bud burst into bloom?
When will the flames, at last, Consume us?
They reached the top of the bridge and then sang together in harmony, striding towards each other.
Past the point of no return
the final threshold, the bridge
is crossed, so stand and watch it burn…
We've passed the point of no return…
She was locked in his arms in another seduction hold. The look on Larry and Gladys' faces were quite priceless when the Phantom held their daughter in such a provocative manner. Phantom let his guard down and let his identity be known as he sang his solo.
Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime
Lead me, save me from my solitude
Say you want me with you here, beside you
Anywhere you go, let me go too
Christine, that's all I ask of…
As was planed, with one swipe, Christine removed the Phantom's mask, revealing his disfigured face. The audience screamed in terror. Raoul and the others then tried to enact their plan, but the Phantom then cut one of the ropes and the 'chandelier' began to fall. Amongst the confusion, he kidnapped Christine and they disappeared through a trap door. Raoul gave chase after them. The lights then dimmed for a scene change.
"This musical aint so bad…" mumbled Brandon to no one in particular
"Yeah, it's very exciting," whispered Petunia
The next scene was ready. Now they were in the catacombs of the opera house. Christine was held captive in the Phantoms lair, while Raoul had to escape the traps set for him. He did manage to find the lair, but as soon as he arrived, Phantom threw his Punjab and the rope tightened around Raoul's neck.
"No! Let him go!" begged Christine
"This is the choice…stay with me and you save his life…refuse me and you send your lover to his death…This is the choice! This is the point of no return!" demanded Phantom as he tugged on the rope, choking Raoul
"I gave you my mind blindly," she said taken aback
"You tried my patience,"
There was intensity in the air, as the audience held their breath, waiting for what she would decide. Christine's face changed from anger to sympathy and began to approach Phantom.
Pitiful creature of darkness
What kind of life have you known?
God give me courage to show you,
You are not alone
Christine then held on to Phantom and 'kissed' him. Although this kiss was nothing like 'Raoul's' deliberate kiss; Raoul still felt jealous of Phantom. The moment Christine released her kiss, the Phantom was so moved by her gesture that he released Raoul and let them both escape from his lair.
Raoul and Christine made their way to the gondola; leaving the Phantom in his unstable state, awaiting his fate from the police that were coming. Christine, however, turned back to him.
"Please Christine…forgive me," begged the Phantom
Christine, without a word, took his hand and placed the ring that he had given her. She then turned back to Raoul and escaped with him on the gondola.
Phantom was so grief-stricken that he took a candelabra and began breaking one of the mirrors in his lair. Then through the secret passage he disappeared forever into the darkness.
As the curtain fell, the audience went wild with applause. The curtains opened once more and the entire cast appeared for their final bows. The minor characters stood forward and bowed. Then they made a precession for the main cast. When Nicole appeared, the audience did not stop applauding but there were some snickers in the crowd. When Raoul appeared, the crowd went louder with applause and sounds of squealing girls where heard throughout the auditorium.
Then Christine appeared and the applause grew its loudest. Lola couldn't help but smile and blush as she curtsied on center stage. Gladys and the entire front row had given her a standing ovation, and the rest of the audience followed suit. The audience remained standing for Phantom as he too took his bow, for he also gave a phenomenal performance.
Then the whole cast came together and took one final bow together and the audience just roared with excitement. Then the curtain came down and the cast celebrated backstage.
Rodney came to Lola and gave her a big hug.
"You did it!" he cheered
Lola laughed as she hugged him back
"Now I can breathe…" she said as she looked at him, sighing with relief
Lola was about to say something, but there was a disturbance backstage that distracted both of them. They turned around and saw Andy and Nicole arguing.
"Why you filthy son of a bitch!" she screamed
"Oh shut up," he said nonchalantly
"Now I see! YOU were behind everything all along! How dare you!"
"Oh please…" he said rolling his eyes
"That's IT! It's OVER between us!"
"Finally," he said throwing his hands up in victory
Nicole turned on her heels and began to walk away, but not before turning back and slapping a good one across his face.
That still didn't stop him from laughing and doing a little victory dance, "Thanks for nothing!" he shouted after her
But she didn't answer him, she just shot out of there crying.
Lola and Rodney just shrugged in response to each other. No one knew what that argument was about, except that now the most popular pair in school was now over.
There was an awkward feeling around the cast after that whole scene backstage. They had finished cleaning up and were going to head home with their families. Lola had finished changing back to her normal clothes and was about to leave when she saw Andy leaning by the door. He looked up and saw her, he smiled and walked towards her.
"Hi…" he said
"Hi…" she responded
Lola still felt awkward around him, she didn't know how to start talking about what had happened between them. But Lola didn't need to.
Andy had grabbed her in his arms and kissed her passionately. Lola felt her duffle bag fall to the floor as she felt overwhelmed by him. He released his kiss.
"I love you," he said
Lola was breathless, she didn't know what to say.
"Will you be my girl?"
He held her face close to his.
"I…I…"
He kissed her once more.
Once he released her…Lola heard her family outside in the hallway. Lola instinctively ran towards the door, away from Andy. As she grabbed the knob, she looked towards him.
He didn't look mad, or offended. He just smiled a knowing smile. She didn't know what that smile meant, but she went through the door and didn't turn back.
Lyrics from "Phantom of the Opera" copywrited by Andrew Lloyd Webber