ALL STORY LIST | PARTS - PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4 | FINAL PART
Jake Miller walked across campus on a Tuesday afternoon. Autumn air had a bite to it. He pulled his jacket tighter. He carried a backpack with a water bottle, a notebook, and a copy of the audition sides he had practiced for three days.
The theater building stood at the north end of the quad. Red brick with large windows. Students sat on the steps. Some smoked. Some talked. Some ran lines. Jake nodded at a few people he recognized.
He held the door open for a girl carrying a violin case. She smiled and said thanks. He followed her inside.
The hallway smelled like old wood and coffee. Posters from previous shows lined the walls. Les Mis. Chicago. Into the Woods. Jake had watched all of them from the ensemble or from the audience. This year felt different. This year he wanted a lead.
His friend Greg Thompson waited by the audition sign-up sheet. Greg stood six feet two inches with broad shoulders and dark hair. He looked like a leading man. Jake looked like a supporting character.
You signed up yet? Greg asked.
Fourth slot tomorrow, Jake said.
Nice. I got third. We will probably audition back to back.
Or you will go right before me and make me look bad.
Greg laughed. You sound fine. Stop worrying.
They walked to their History of Theater class together. The professor, Dr. Chen, spent the whole lecture talking about Commedia dell'arte. Jake took notes but his mind wandered. He thought about the audition. He thought about the role of the Phantom. He thought about Greg getting cast instead of him.
After class, Jessica Price caught up with them in the hallway. She wore a long coat and carried a leather bag. Her dark hair fell past her shoulders.
You two auditioning for leads? she asked.
Trying to, Greg said.
I am going for Christine, Jessica said. She looked at Jake. You would make a good Phantom. You have that mysterious thing going on.
Jake was not sure what she meant but said thanks anyway.
I hope we all get what we want, Jessica said. She walked ahead and disappeared around a corner.
Greg watched her leave. She wants Christine bad.
Everyone wants something bad, Jake said.
They exited the building and walked toward their apartment. The street had a steady flow of bikes and cars. A food truck sold tacos on the corner. Jake's stomach growled but he kept walking.
The apartment sat on the second floor of a three story building. Two bedrooms, one bathroom, a small kitchen, and a living room with a couch that sagged in the middle. Jake liked the place. It felt like home.
He dropped his bag on the floor and sat on the couch. Greg went to the kitchen and grabbed two sodas from the fridge.
You ready for tomorrow? Greg asked, handing Jake a can.
Ready as I will ever be.
Sing 'Music of the Night.' That is your best.
I know what to sing.
Greg sat in the armchair across from him. I am not trying to tell you what to do. I am just saying.
Jake opened his soda and took a long sip. He thought about the audition. He thought about Howard Allen, the director. Jake had heard stories about Howard. The guy had directed professional shows in Chicago for twenty years. He knew what he wanted. He did not settle.
What if I do not get cast at all? Jake asked.
Then you will be in the ensemble like every other year. No shame in that.
I am tired of ensemble.
Greg shrugged. Then sing better than everyone else.
The next evening, Jake stood outside the audition room. His hands felt cold. He shook them out and took a breath. A few other students sat on chairs in the hallway. Some hummed. Some whispered lyrics. One boy paced back and forth.
Greg came out of the room looking confident. He patted Jake on the shoulder.
You are up, Greg said.
Jake walked through the double doors.
The room had high ceilings and a wooden floor. Three people sat behind a folding table. Samantha Reed and James Cole, both seniors, served as producers. Howard Allen sat in the middle. He wore a gray sweater and thick glasses. His bald head reflected the overhead lights.
Jake Miller, Samantha said, reading from a clipboard. You are auditioning for the Phantom?
Yes, Jake said.
Whenever you are ready, James said.
Jake walked to the tape mark on the floor. He closed his eyes for a second, then opened them. He started to sing.
His voice came out clear. He hit the notes he wanted to hit. He moved his hands like he had practiced. He made eye contact with Howard. The director's face showed nothing. No smile. No frown. Just watching.
Jake finished the song. The room stayed quiet for a moment.
Thank you, Howard said.
That was it. No questions. No comments. Just two words.
Jake walked out of the room feeling confused. He expected more. Some direction. Some feedback. Anything.
Greg waited in the hallway. How did it go?
I do not know.
You never know. That is normal.
They walked home together. Jake replayed the audition in his head. He thought about Howard's blank expression. He thought about the way the director stared at him, like he was studying a puzzle.
Two days later, the cast list went up.
Jake and Greg pushed through the crowd of students gathered outside the audition room. Jake's eyes scanned the paper.
The Phantom: Nate Hackett
Raoul: Greg Thompson
Carlotta: Jessica Price
Christine:
His name was not there. He kept reading. Ensemble list. More names. Still not his.
Where is my name? Jake asked.
Greg looked at the paper. I do not know. Maybe they made a mistake.
Jessica stood nearby, arms crossed. She did not look happy either. Carlotta? I auditioned for Christine.
At least you got a named role, Jake said.
Jessica glared at him. You think this is funny?
No. I think this sucks for both of us.
She walked away without another word.
Jake left the building. He did not wait for Greg. He walked home alone, past the taco truck, past the bikes and cars, up the stairs to his apartment. He sat on the sagging couch and stared at the wall.
The door opened twenty minutes later. Greg came in and sat next to him.
I do not get it, Greg said. You sang well.
Not well enough.
Howard is weird. Maybe he has something else planned.
He did not cast me at all. That is the plan.
Greg did not have an answer for that.
They sat in silence for a while. Then Jake's phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number.
Meet me in the theater building. Room one hundred twelve. seven p.m. Howard Allen
Jake showed the text to Greg.
What does he want? Greg asked.
One way to find out.
Jake left the apartment again. The sun had started to set. The air felt colder. He walked to the theater building, found room one hundred twelve, and knocked.
Howard opened the door. Come in.
The room had rehearsal cubes stacked against one wall and a whiteboard covered in notes. Samantha stood near the window. She smiled at Jake.
Close the door, Howard said.
Jake closed the door.
Jake, I watched your audition carefully. You have talent. Your voice sits higher than most men. That is not a weakness. It is an opportunity.
I do not follow.
Howard walked closer. I did not cast you as the Phantom because I have a different role in mind. A bigger role. A harder role.
Jake waited.
I want you to play Christine.
Jake stared at Howard. He thought he heard wrong.
Christine? Jake asked. The female lead?
The same, Howard said. Your voice has the right pitch. Your frame works for the costumes. I see a certain quality in your movement.
I never played a woman.
Most actors have not until they do.
Samantha stepped forward. Howard talked to me about this before auditions started. He had you in mind from the beginning.
Jake's head spun. What about Jessica? She wanted this role.
Jessica will play Carlotta, Howard said. She has the voice for that part. Christine requires something else.
Something else like a man pretending to be a woman?
Howard did not flinch. Like an actor taking on a challenging role. I am not asking you to pretend. I am asking you to transform.
Jake looked at Samantha. She gave him a small nod. He looked back at Howard.
When does this start?
Rehearsals begin Monday. Full cast read-through. You will have the script by tomorrow morning.
Does everyone else know?
Not yet. We will announce it before the read-through. Howard paused. I understand this is unusual. You can say no. I will find someone else. But I think you are the right person for this part.
Jake thought about his options. Say no and end up in the ensemble again. Say yes and play a lead role, even with dresses and learning to move like a woman. The choice felt clear.
I will do it.
Howard smiled. Good. Samantha will send you the materials. Practice at home. Learn the songs. And Jake?
Yes?
Do not tell anyone yet. Let me handle the announcement.
Jake agreed and left the room. He walked home in the dark. The streets had fewer people now. A couple walked their dog. A man played saxophone on the corner for tips. Jake's mind raced.
He climbed the stairs to his apartment. Greg sat on the couch watching TV.
Well? Greg asked.
Howard offered me a role.
I figured. Which one?
Jake sat down. Christine.
Greg muted the TV. Christine? The girl?
The lead female role. Yes.
For a moment Greg said nothing. Then he laughed. Not a mean laugh. A confused one.
You are serious?
Completely.
Does Howard know you are a guy?
He knows. That is why he picked me.
Greg turned the TV back on. He stared at the screen but did not watch. That is insane.
Maybe. But I am doing it.
You are going to kiss me on stage.
Jake had not thought about that part. Raoul and Christine share multiple kisses in the show. Greg played Raoul. They would have to kiss.
I guess so, Jake said.
Greg muted the TV again. This is weird, man.
I know.
Like, really weird.
I know.
Greg stood up and walked to the kitchen. He opened the fridge and stared inside. I need a minute.
Take as many as you want.
Jake went to his room and closed the door. He lay on his bed and looked at the ceiling. The choice felt right when he made it. Now doubts crept in. Could he actually do this? Could he convince an audience that he belonged on stage as Christine?
He pulled out his phone and searched for videos of Christine from Phantom. He watched a performer sing Think of Me. Her movements looked natural. Her voice floated. She seemed born for the role.
Jake had two months to get there.
The next few days passed slowly. Howard announced the casting on Friday morning. Students gathered around the updated cast list. Jake stood at the back and watched the reactions.
Some students pointed at his name. Others whispered. A few laughed.
Jessica pushed through the crowd. She read the list twice. Then she turned and found Jake.
You? she said.
Howard picked me.
He picked a boy over me? Her voice got louder. I trained for years. I did the workshops.
He said you are Carlotta. That is a good role.
Jessica's face turned red. Do not tell me what is a good role. You do not belong up there.
She stormed off. A few students patted Jake's shoulder. Others avoided eye contact. Greg stood nearby, arms crossed. He did not say anything.
At home that night, Jake opened the script Samantha sent. He read Christine's lines out loud. His voice felt strange saying her words. He practiced in front of the bathroom mirror. His face looked like his face. Nothing feminine about it.
He called his mom that weekend. She lived in another state with his stepdad. He had not told her about the casting yet.
Mom, I got a lead role in the fall musical.
That is wonderful, honey. Which part?
Christine. From Phantom.
A pause. Christine is a woman.
I know.
Another pause. You are playing a woman?
That is the idea.
His mom did not sound angry. Just confused. Are you sure about this?
Howard thinks I can do it.
Howard is the director?
Yes.
Well, he must see something. Just be careful, okay? People can be mean.
I know, Mom. I will be fine.
They talked for a few more minutes about classes and the weather. After he hung up, Jake sat on his bed. His mom's words stuck with him. People can be mean.
He already saw it in Jessica's eyes. He would see more of it soon.
Monday arrived faster than he wanted. He put on regular clothes, jeans, a t-shirt, sneakers, and walked to the theater building. The rehearsal room had folding chairs arranged in a circle. Students filled them slowly. Jake found the chair marked Christine and sat down.
Nate Hackett sat to his left. Hannah Moon sat to his right. Across the circle, Greg avoided looking at him.
Howard entered, and the room went quiet.
Before we start, Howard said, I want to address the casting. Some of you have questions about Jake playing Christine. Here is your answer: I chose him because he is the best actor for this role. I expect everyone to treat him with respect. Any issues, come to me directly.
Jessica shifted in her seat but said nothing.
Howard nodded at Samantha. She handed out scripts.
Let us begin, Howard said.