Chapter 29

The ladies last performed ‘Defying Gravity’ and both of them were fantastic. Joanie was clearly rising in quality of tone.

Mr. Schwartz will have to let us do his music.

These two girls ... ladies, not only brought tears to my eyes, but to everyone who was there.

“We will do this all again the day after tomorrow. Is here after school OK with both of you?”

Everyone agreed.

“Do I need to take anyone home?” Jan offered.

“I can do it,” Jennifer said, “I need driving at night experience.” She grabbed her keys and led them out. “Michael, are you coming?”

“No, I don’t need to. Be safe ... love you.”

I saw Joan take Sam’s arm and they all left.

Mom and Katie fixed a late supper. They took eighteen eggs, hard-boiled and peeled them, then sliced them into wedges with a sprig of Mozzarella and Oregano. I love food you can eat with your hands.

We sat down and talked and polished them off. Everyone liked what I had done with the musical numbers. I told mom that her work with Joan was transformational. She beamed at the praise. We talked about how soon I should schedule Mr. Schwartz to come to town. Mom suggested the first of next week, so I could get some time with the orchestra. That made sense, so I emailed a message to myself to make the phone call in the morning.

Knowing I had that on my docket of things-to-do, I took Jennifer and we went to bed.

After being dropped off the next morning at Jackson Heights, I went to my office space and made the call.

“Hello Michael ... I have been waiting for your call. Did you got the score I sent you?” Mr. Schwartz said.

“Yes Sir, I did. We have seven songs prepared. Next Monday or Tuesday, at five pm Indiana Time ... how does that sound to you?”

“Very good, plan to see me on ... Tuesday, please text me the particulars ASAP?”

“Sure will, to the same number I am calling you at?”

“Yes, that would be fine. I am looking forward to your presentation, Michael. I have heard good things about you, including seeing the PBS events you have been part of. See you on Tuesday.”

“Wonderful Sir, see you then.”

I got up and took my score to Clarice telling her which songs I needed copied from the score plus how many of them. I requested a rush on them. She was very cordial and said that she would have them ready in a few hours. I gave her my number to text me.

I sent the address, plus a reminder of the time and date. I went to the Lincoln Auditorium to find Stu. He was double-checking some ropes in the wings.

“What can I do for you, Sir?”

“Next Tuesday, I have a Broadway musical theatre lyricist and composer coming to listen to the orchestra and a few performers. I would appreciate it if you could give us some sound and lighting on that night?”

“Who’s coming?” he asked.

“Stephen Schwartz,” I said.

“No shit.”

“Yeah, I am trying to talk him into letting us put on WICKED in this very theatre in eighteen months.”

“Man ... that is awesome. Tell me what you need?”

“A closed curtain. Four microphones, corded on stands. Some spotlights as well. I hope to have a rehearsal by the day after tomorrow. Can that happen?”

“Sure thing. Who’s performing?”

“Jenn Guthrie, Joan Prefontayne and Sam Choate,” I answered.

“Lucky stiffs,” he said.

“Oh, and a small group of background singers. They shouldn’t need mics or spotlights. I will know for sure once we have the rehearsal. Thanks.”

“Bye,” he said.

Next, I caught up with Katie.

“Hey there,” I said.

“Hi Michael, was I expecting you?”

“No, I came to talk to you, in your new capacity as Czar,” I said.

“All right, sit down.”

“No until you do, I was raised a gentleman.”

She sat and crossed her arms. It drew attention to her chest. I moved my eyes up seeing her smiling at me.

“While I was sleeping last night, I had an epiphany or sorts.”

“Do tell?”

“Instead of coming with various different ideas each month, I propose we do a Concert Show every month giving the November and May months’ special emphasis. We continue doing the older popular musicals, throwing in a current show as we see fit. Right now, we have RENT in November and WICKED slated for the following May.”

“What about the evening of Teachers and the orchestra only events?” she said.

“They will still happen, but those will be filled with music from a single show. They won’t get to choose just anything like we just had. I may pass around a sheet of possible shows getting their first, second and third choices.”

“Excellent plan. Run it by Jennie Robinson, and then present it. Paul and Cece are doing something similar and we don’t want both schools preparing to do the same shows now, do we?”

“No, of course. I am having Clarice making me copies for your orchestra class. I don’t know it they will be ready for today, but tomorrow for sure.”

Taking her hand, I kissed it and said, “Until we meet again, Katarina.”

I most definitely heard her growl as I left.

There was time to kill before lunch with my girl, so I hung out in the chairs in administration. Principal Summers walked in, “Waiting for me?”

“No sir. I am meeting my girl for lunch and I was just waiting in here, if that’s all right?”

“Certainly, don’t bother the help too much,” he said. I heard Clarice lightly giggle.

I walked up to her.

“Yes,” she said.

“I have heard a rumor, and you might be able to help me about it.”

Still working at my copying, she said, “What is that?”

“Are you and Richard ... a couple?”

Her usual smile broke into a great big laugh that brought Richard out. “Tell him, he would love that rumor.”

Embarrassed, but still inquisitive. I did ask him. He laughed for a solid minute before he said, “She is my niece, Michael. I treat her to lunch from time to time. Are some of my teachers or students implying there is something going on?”

“Wow, that was so wrong of me. My mind was really going crazy. I apologize to you both. Your brother is her father, Sir?”

“My much older brother Jeffrey is her father. Will there be anything else?”

“No sir, again I am very sorry ... to you as well Clarice. Are you seeing anyone?”

“Michael, that is an inappropriate question. Just sit and wait for your girl. Stop imagining things.”

“I live for my imagination most of the time, Clarice.”

Jenn came by and we left together.

“Have you been flirting with Clarice?” she asked me.

“What makes you think that?” I said.

“The smile you had on your face when I came to see you.”

“She’s not quite my type,” I said.

“She’s a woman with nice boobs, that makes her your type.”

“I have got plenty of women in my life right now. Besides, she is Principal Summers niece ... that makes her off-limits.”

“You are such a boy,” she said.

“And proud of it.”

We entered the lounge and found a place to sit.

“MICHAEL,” Charley said, “So ... you are putting on WICKED here?”

Most of the crowd turned to hear my answer. I walked up to him and said, “I have got Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz coming to hear a collection of music we are putting together. If we pass his muster, we put on WICKED in eighteen months. If you can be a good boy, I may invite you to the private audition.”

He loudly laughed at my retort as the rest of the place broke into many conversations. He and I high-fived, then I sat down with my girl. I told her about my change of ideas for the next school year. It excited her. We talked about some of the shows we could choose from.

CATS, THE LION KING, A CHORUS LINE, DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, MAMMA MIA, MISS SAIGON, GREASE, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, HELLO DOLLY, MY FAIR LADY, HAIRSPRAY, THE PRODUCERS and MAN OF LA MANCHA started our list. Some are more suited for the concert concept.

After lunch, we kissed and parted separate ways.

I picked up the copies Clarice made for me. I thanked her by giving her a kiss on the hand. I think Jenn is right about me. After getting my copies back to Jackson Heights, I found Paul and Cece.

“Whenever you two are available to come over again for dinner, we plus Katie need to discuss what our schools are doing the following year. I think we need to work that out in advance, don’t you?”

“I suggest we get Jennie Robinson involved as well,” Cece said.

“Also, both principals, too,” Paul added.

“That sounds like a good old-fashioned dinner party,” I said rubbing my hands together like a madman from an old movie. “You two work up some ideas on your own. We can have a pre-party powwow, and then we can assault them from both sides.”

“You are awfully devious for a fourteen-year-old,” Paul said.

“I don’t know, Paul,” Cece said. “That got me kind of horny.”

That was my cue to leave, waving goodbye.

I didn’t like losing a whole day, so I invited Joan and Sam over again, this time asking them to stay for dinner. Using my phone, they both got cleared to come home with me, Jenn and Katie. Thusly, I called Mom telling her we had two more for dinner. I heard a sigh from her, but she didn’t yell at me.

At the end of the day, we all got in the Matrix. I was between Joan and Katie. Jenn turned an odd direction.

“Where are we going?”

“I need blonde hair color. Joan needs brunette hair color, it won’t take a minute,” my girl said with a bit of attitude.

“You need me to be a brunette Michael ... bitchin?’” Joanie said. “Sorry Miss Stapleton, I get a little excited about things sometimes.”

“That’s OK with me, I say bitchin’ all the time,” Katie said.

“Here we are. Come in with me Joan,” Jennifer said.

They left; Sam turned around and asked, “So Miss Stapleton, are you seeing anyone? I mean a teacher at one of the schools or something like that.”

“No, Sam. I am keeping busy with all the plans Michael have all the time. Are you seeing anyone? You and Joan seem like a nice couple.”

“I think she likes me, but I have a girl I would like to know better. I am not really comfortable around too many girls at once.”

“Is she at Jackson Heights or Lincoln High?” I asked him.

“It’s a Lincoln High girl. Harmony Perry ... don’t tell her I said anything. I need to figure out what to do?”

“How about I put you two in a musical number together?” I said.

“Bitchin!’”

The girls came out happy, Joan got in beside me. “I got brunette, and as close as I could find to my real hair color. We are going to do it tonight sometime.”

“What about you, gorgeous?” I said to the driver.

“Are you talking to me, Michael? I think there are three gorgeous ladies in this vehicle,” she said with a giggle.

“Of course, you are correct, my dear. What do you think, Sam?”

“Uhm ... er ... well, I must ... admit that Joan as a dark brunette would only make her prettier than she already is.”

Joan blushed at his unexpected compliment. “Thank you, Sam, that’s sweet of you to say.”

“So, Jenn,” I inquired, “Are you going back to your normal blonde or something else?”

“I looked at a number of shades, from Marilyn Monroe to Sharon Stone to Reese Witherspoon, but I ended up with a color that looks like Gwen Stefani’s shade of blonde. I also thought of you when I picked it. I know how much you like blondes.”

Everyone looked at Katie.

“Let’s go,” she said. “We’re burning daylight.”

We were at home rather quickly. Sam opened the door for Katie. I walked the other girls to the door.

As Jenn and Katie came through the door, they bolted to the bathroom.

I handed Sam a score pointing to the melody line to help him with the few missed notes from the night before.

I went to Mom and Ally in the kitchen, apologizing for the last minute nature of the evening plans. It looked like grilled cheese sandwiches and some more sliced hard-boiled eggs.

They liked my idea for a dinner party, so they went into ‘planning mode’ while still getting our evening’s dinner ready.

“BOYS,” the voices came out from behind my bedroom door.

The door opened, and Joan appeared. Her shoulder length black hair looked amazing. She walked up to Sam and said, “How do I look, Sammy Boy?”

I saw him breathing difficultly, but he touched her tresses and said, “This good,” putting his mouth on hers. She likely hadn’t expected that, but they both got quite involved before Katie broke them up. Attaboy Sam!

The door opened again, and the moist ... most beautiful creature I ever saw walked out. She had also changed into a shirt and slacks. Not to be outdone, “You look ... so hot.”

I took her by her butt cheeks and pulled her into me. The kiss was of a magnitude I never thought I would have done in front of non-family, but I couldn’t resist.

“DINNER.”

Joan took Sam; I took Jenn to the table and sat down. “Since you are all singing later, I thought something simple would be best for dinner,” mom said to the gang.

“This is one of my favorite dinners, Mrs. Thomas,” Sam said.

I saw Joan place her hand on his to calm him down. I quietly nudged Jennifer who saw it as well.

After dinner, Katie got on the piano bench as Ally and Jan cleaned up the little mess that was left.

“Okay, who’s first?” I asked.

“I will be,” Sam said, “Unless ... one of the girls wants to go first.”

“Which song, Sam?”

“Wonderful.” That caused our Elphaba to stand ready. They exchanged glances. I saw Sam getting ready to sing.

WIZARD I never asked for this
Or planned it in advance
I was merely blown here
By the winds of chance

The difference from just yesterday was considerable. Joan gave him a kiss, not on the cheek. Harmony may be leaving his mind.

“I will go next,” Jenn said. ‘Popular’ please?”

(Spoken)
Elphie, now that we’re friends,
I have decided to make you my new project!

This was just as good as yesterday. I believe that Jenn was channeling Kristin whenever she was singing. Joanie was right on with her reactions to Galinda’s mutterings. These two could become BFFs!

As proof of that, their rendition of ‘What is This Feeling?’ was inspiring!

DAMN! Even if we don’t get the rights to do this, another transition has occurred. Jenn and Joan ... former rivals, are bow a powerhouse together, and Joan and Sam have become an item. Mom, Ally, Katie and I sang the students’ part ... hey kids ... we got a show to put on!

After all was done, Jenn took them home. Tonight was very satisfying to me. I walked over to Katie, who was still at the piano and gave her a massive hug from behind.

“Thank you, wasn’t that amazing?” I said.

“Only because you are amazing Mr. Thomas. Do you know this song” that she started to play and sing...
(From the movie ONCE)

You must have
fallen from the sky
You must have
shattered on the wrong way
You brought so
many to the light
And now you are by yourself

There comes a point
in every fight
where giving up
seems the only way
when everyone
has said goodbye
and now you are on your own

(I was adding low harmony. Jan & Ally came over to listen.)

And if you need
somewhere to fall apart
somewhere to fall apart.
When the rules of Cain
The rights you made
The hours did crawl
For those to blame
The broken glass
The fool that asked
The moving arrow to stop

You must have
fallen from the sky
You must have come
here in the pouring rain
You took so many
through the light
And now you are
on your own
And if you need
somewhere to fall apart
Somewhere to fall apart.

Well the ruins of man
the bloodied rag
Be the fool the bull
the powdered hag
the nights that make
the rattle rag
the wolves that follow
The outted man
The falling star
The way we are Divine

The rules that
never ever multiply
You must have fallen from the sky
You must have come
here on the wrong way
You came among us every time
But now you are on your own
And if you need
somewhere to fall apart
Somewhere to fall apart
Well they call you saint
The basket case
The rules of thumb
You have to break
The raging skull
The rag to the bull
The nails that drag
In either hand
Well I will make
My work of that
I know this place
I know this task

You must have fallen from the sky

She finished the playing as I felt my mom’s arms around me. “Michael, you must have fallen from the stars. I have no idea where most of your talent comes from. Your father played the bass and sang a little, while I sang. You seemed destined to be involved in music in many ways. I love you honey.”

Wow, what a moment to share with everyone. Jenn walked in, “What did I miss?”

We all laughed, I walked to her and said, “I love you, blondie.”

I had an idea, so I went to my laptop and found a web-page list of musicals that had been nominated for Tony’s. I copied and pasted the html page with all the links to a word document. Now I had over 60 years of musicals in front of me. With the links intact, I could click on any title and find out more about that show and its music.

“Could all of you ladies come to the Lincoln Auditorium tomorrow to catch our first rehearsal on stage?” I asked.

They all agreed to. I was ready for bed, so I took Jennifer’s hand and said ‘Good-night’ to the rest of them.

As we prepared for bed, Jenn told me how Joan and Sam made out in the back seat until Sam was let off. They talked about boys and music, until Joan got out humming ‘‘Defying Gravity!’

I was really stoked meeting up with the Lincoln High orchestra. Katie helped me hand out the music scores with the seven pieces of music. A knock on the door and Jenn, Joan, and Sam walked in.

“I see you got released for the class period from your respective teachers?” I said.

“They know how important this is to the school and to you, Michael,” Jenn said to me.

“Hear that orchestra?” I said to them. “We have time to perform everything twice. Show us how well you could read music. Nancy, are you ready, dear?”

“Yes Sir.” she said with an infectious smile.

“Your music is in the order we will be performing next Monday and Tuesday night. Monday will be a dress rehearsal and Tuesday, this is for real. If Mr. Schwartz likes us, we won’t get the rights. We need him to LOVE us.”

“Here we go...”

The girls did the spoken portion and from there it went fabulous. I tend to mouth the words myself when I am conducting, so I was having a blast as they performed.

The looks Jenn and Joan were giving to each other caused Katie to chuckle. Jenn even laughed in the correct key.

After Joan leaves, Jenn moves to center stage and speaks to the audience with a strut in her voice and her step ... incredible! Everyone who could — applauded. There were students in the doorway that stopped to listen and gave out a big applause of their own.

Some of them stayed as Sam gave Joan a kiss then got out front himself. He was ready!

Nancy began on the piano, and then Sam took Joan like he was presenting to her something no one had ever seen before. It wasn’t anything I gave him to do, but it was instinctually perfect. In character, she gave him a very light peck on the cheek. Fabulous.

The piano began “I am Not That Girl” as Joan started quietly...

She wandered as she sang, stopping for an important lyric every now and again. She was back at ‘center’ as she began the final verse. Her voice was without vibrato, but it was clear and clean. Mom must have taught her how to hold it back like that. Sam gave her a hug and a kiss as the kids in the doorway made an even bigger sound of affirmation. Joan Suzanne Prefontayne has arrived.

“Defying Gravity” was a huge hit with the kids who were listening in. The moments of harmony were magnificent. Their reactions to one another were cute, but sincere looking.

They hugged, then Jenn left her alone for “No Good Deed.” I walked up to Joan and quietly said, “Be more defiant in your actions.”

I raised my baton ... with the timpani starting this piece...

ELPHABA
(spoken) Fiyero!
(sung) nahmen nahmen
Ah tum ah tum eleka nahmen
Eleka nahmen nahmen
Ah tum ah tum eleka nahmen

She was moving as she sang, moving up to me, then over to the doorway and back where she started.

She was absolutely putting everything she had into this. An audience usually causes that. Her hair was flying behind her as she made a tight circle as she stood firm to finish the number ... and she stuck it!

Jennifer screeched, Sam got in a hug and the kids were amazed. From when I was talked into giving her the “Comedy Tonight” number to this moment it was like a caterpillar that became a beautiful monarch butterfly.

She was coming towards me, but I said, “Two more numbers. I hope we don’t get in trouble for the students who aren’t in class right now.”

“It’s OK Michael,” Sam said. “They’re mostly from our classes.” He was in position for “Wonderful.”

The music before he starts to sing is quite beautiful. I told him I would point when it was his turn to start. Joan was by his side a half step behind him.

WIZARD
I never asked for this
Or planned it in advance

He sang like he was speaking to you. That isn’t a taught ability. Somehow, he became the next Robert Preston. Oooooh, THE MUSIC MAN!

He took Joan’s hand and showed her around, like a guide would. He went behind her pointing her head in a certain direction to which she reacted silently. She is taller, but that didn’t seem to matter at all.