New York, New York - Mike Faist

TWO

*two week time skip*

Today is my final day at Newsies. An end of an era, if you will. In some ways I'm ready to leave and in others I'm not. I mean, being in the Les Mis revival is amazing, but I'll miss newsies with my whole heart. These thoughts were swirling around my head as I walked into the theatre for the last time. I walked into my dressing room in a daze and Kara crashed into me. She wrapped her arms around my waist pinning mine to my side. Eventually she let go and gave me a sad smile.

"So, how's it feel!" She sat in her chair as I closed the door

"Weird. But, right." I grabbed my stuff from the closet and changed into it.

We talked a bit more before I left to go take backstage pictures. For the last time. I walked into every room this time and talked with everybody. The last room I hit only had one person. Mike. I entered quietly but he saw me in the mirror. We made eye contact and he sprang up from his seat. I let my camera hang around my neck and wrapped my arms around his neck. He buried his face in the crook of my neck and sighed.

I was about to speak but the announcement for places came on. Mike let go and I quickly wiped a tear coming out of his eye before it could ruin his makeup. He walked out of the room and glanced over his shoulder one last time. I rushed after him and into the lobby. I practically ran down to the front and toppled into my seat as the show began.

.  .  .

After the show ended, I looked through my photos. I took some for the show, and a lot just for me. Unlike any night before the curtain didn't raise. I thought it was a tad weird but went to my dressing room anyways. As I walked through the hall I didn't see anybody. I changed into what I was wearing and collected my stuff. I looked around the room and closed the door behind me. Tears began to form in my eyes as I looked in the rooms and snapped some pictures of the empty dressing rooms. I decided to walk back into the theatre for the last time. I walked through the house and ran my fingers against the seats.

Suddenly, the curtain opened and the entire cast and crew was there in a semi circle. Finally, the tears fell down as I sped walked down the aisle and to the stage. Again, Mike helped me up onto the stage as he had done for the previous 2 weeks. I stood in front of everybody.

"Speech!" Tommy called out and everyone laughed

"Okay okay! I've been with Newsies since the beginning! And it's been amazing seeing how far we've all come. How far you've all come really. I love each and everyone of you and will miss you so so much! Also, I got everybody opening night tickets to Les Mis!" I announced and everybody cheered out of surprise, "Alright I'm done!"

Tears started to flow down my checks faster and faster as the cast sang Happy Trails. A tradition to sing that song when someone is leaving the production. Tears flowed faster as I looked around the group. Many were in tears as I had grown a close connection with everybody in the cast. The song ended and everybody took turns coming up and hugging me. At this point, the tears slowed. Of course, Mr. Faist was the last to come up.

I crashed into him and broke into sobs. I wrapped my arms around his neck again and his my waist. This time, however, my head fell into the crook of his neck. After a minute or so I let go and tried to stop the tears. I looked around again and laughed. I must've looked crazy, but soon everybody was laughing with me. I grabbed my things from off the floor and headed out the door not looking back, as it would only be more painful.

I walked out the doors and into the warm may New York City air. I left the Nederlander and with it, a piece of my heart.