The Make-Up Artist: Part 2

Chapter Thirty Seven: Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me

"Ladies and gentleman, please welcome to the stage the legend himself and the performer who embodied him so fully, Sir Elton John and Taron Egerton!"

These are the words, followed by eruptions of applause and cheers, that get your heart pumping as you are being escorted backstage at the Greek Theatre. You have just experienced one of the best moments of your life by watching the film that has had such an impact on you, accompanied by the amazing Hollywood Symphony Orchestra. You were mesmerized and transfixed by every scene just as you always are when you watch the movie, and the addition of the live orchestra made it all the more special. You had been instructed to make your way to the backstage entrance and that someone would be waiting for you to take you back after the movie had ended, so that's what you are doing. The crazy part is, that Taron doesn't even know you're here. You haven't heard from him since your last email, but true to his word, he had left tickets and passes with Richard, along with instructions on where to go and what to do. You hadn't even known until the last minute if you would be able to attend, but luckily you just found out yesterday that the entire studio was taking a day off, so you were beyond ecstatic you'd been able to go. You didn't even know where Taron was or if he was traveling at the time, so you decided to just wait and let him find out that you're here when he sees you. You hope that he's happy to discover you are here, even though you're not sure what his reaction will be after not speaking for so long.

The notes of "I'm Gonna Love Me Again" come floating though the air as you are guided through hallway after hallway and staircase after staircase until finally, you are emptied out into a small corridor that leads to a door that takes you to the wings of the stage beyond. The stage hand who has been mostly silent the whole way here, instructs you where to stand which just happens to be stage right near the door you just came through. He gestures out to the stage where you can see the grand orchestra and just in front of them, Taron and Elton themselves sitting on stools singing the now iconic song from the end credits. You are immediately enraptured by the scene before you. You're not sure if it had occurred to you that this song was being sung live, but now that you are standing here witnessing it, you don't know how you could've thought it was a recording. Taron is nothing short of glowing as he sings with Elton on stage, and the two of them seem genuinely happy to be performing together again. Taron looks amazing as always, wearing none other than a WHITE suit with a blue collared shirt underneath.  You smile to yourself knowingly, thinking back to your playful email banter over the last several weeks. But more importantly, he looks...happy. And you beam in response to his obvious elation at sharing this moment with Elton. They sound and look wonderful, and the crowd is loving every minute of it, as are you. Taron is sitting to Elton's left and from his position, it almost looks as if he can see you. But after a few moments you realize that he's only looking at Elton, and that you most likely cannot be seen standing here in the dark against the stark stage lights that are on him. At one point during Taron's solo, Elton puts his hand on Taron's cheek and you find yourself suddenly jealous of the seventy year old man. It feels like ages since you touched Taron, let alone set eyes on him, and the ache that develops in your chest from this absence is almost too much to bear. Taron's radiance lights up the whole stage and by the end of the song, your face hurts from smiling so much.

The song comes to end and as Elton and Taron stand, Dexter is announced and appears from the other side of the stage. You had no idea he was going to be here and you smile widely in response. He embraces each man in turn, then gives his thanks to the enthusiastic audience. Taron gives Elton a little kiss and you are once again bitten by the green-eyed monster. You really do need to get a grip. Next, Bernie Taupin is announced and as he enters the stage, your jaw drops. More applause and cheering ensues as he praises Elton and Taron and the amazing live orchestra behind them. He then announces Jamie Bell to the stage and you feel hopeful that you just might get the little reunion you had mentioned in your emails with Taron. Taron of course rushes to greet and hug him, and you think your heart might explode with the overwhelming love you feel for this man and these people. Last but not least, Bryce Dallas Howard comes onstage and you are instantly transported back to your days on the Rocketman set, and the nostalgia you feel at this moment is palpable. You watch in awe as Jamie speaks a few words of adulation toward Bernie, then Bryce speaks once again to the amazing talents of the orchestra. The musical director then comes onstage and hugs everyone in turn once again. Finally, the moment you were hoping for happens as Taron takes to the mic. His speech is short and sweet as he speaks eloquently about the friendships he's made and he thanks Giles, the musical director, for giving him the ability to have this experience. Although you know in your heart that he would've had the ability with or without any additional help. He is so astoundingly talented, whether he sees that for himself or not. He then mentions that there's one song he and Elton have never performed live together but that he's always wanted to, and your heart stills as you realize you are about to be treated to another live performance. He then says the words, "So I think we should do it", in that deep sexy voice of his as he looks in your general direction. You absolutely know that he is not talking to you or about you, but you can't help the thrill that goes through your body at hearing those words on his lips.