A New Musical

9

Press for the show has increased since all the drama unfolded with Mason and myself. I tried to offer to leave the show, thinking it would help. But everyone, including Mason, said that was a big no. Our creative and PR team said it would blow over; and if anything, it's helped even more ticket sales. The press is bigger, because when we start our run, it'll be the first public appearance Mason has made since his now-confirmed breakup.

Mason has been pretty understanding with everything since this drama first began. It's clear that this has put a lot on him though.  He told me that he couldn't be upset with me because it's the press who took the picture, and told the story the way they wanted it. But he has remained pretty discreet, sneaking into every rehearsal so paparazzi doesn't try to disturb him. I'm often overlooked when walking into the theater, which is nice compared to when I was in Orland Park, where more people knew me. Occasionally though, I'll get people who know who I am. I just rush into the theater, and I'm able to ignore them.

Today we're going into our second to last run through before we open the show. I walk up to the call sheet, and see that one of our understudies will be on today.

                                                                   Mason Pierce- OUT

Matt Debrowski will go on for the role of Tyler Williams

I wasn't expecting to see Mason call out of the show, right before opening night none the less. I try my best to not think about it, and head to my dressing room to prepare for our tech run. Matt and I meet on stage, to do a quick fight call. This is the first time I'll be doing the show with someone else playing Tyler. We added a moment after Tyler kissed Eric for the first time, where Eric pushes Tyler and it Makes Tyler fall into a pile of empty boxes. Doing a fight call just helps ensure that no one actually gets hurt during the performance. Even for as simple of things like this.

Matt and I start the scene from the beginning, running through our staging. We get to the kiss, and for the first time nothing gets interrupted. At least, this is the first time I've ever realized it. Whenever Mason and I have gotten to this scene, something has always come up. There was a phone call, or I was sick a few days prior so I had to give a high five. Just so we wouldn't risk me getting anyone else sick. Then during tech, we would have a lighting adjustment be made, and we would pick up the scene after the kiss would've taken place. It seems like a big thing to overlook, but I guess there's been so many different moving pieces. This was one of them that wasn't the top of the list somehow.

All goes well, and Matt doesn't get hurt at all when I push him. We get some quick adjustments from Rob, then we're released to finish getting ready for the run through. Matt walks with me as we head back to our dressing rooms. ""Do you know why Mason was out today?" I give him a confused look, wondering why he would ask  me. "I just figured since you two are a thing, he would've told you."

    "Mason and I are not talking. I mean we speak, but not in that way." I say, trying to keep my cool. I think it's bold for one of my cast mates to even believe the drama going around.

    "Oh I'm sorry, I should've known better than to assume" Matt says.

    "Can't believe everything on the internet" I try to joke. I'm not upset with Matt, only because I've gotten to know him better from rehearsing and know he means no harm by asking me. I'm just getting frustrated that this is all people are seeing me for.

I understand that it'll pass, but I just wonder if this will stick just because we're playing love interests. I feel like it would be easier if I would just leave the show already and leave this already messy chapter behind. I think about going back to what I was gonna do, and just forget the Broadway dream. I wanted this because I worked for it, but now it feels like I might just be seen as the guy trying to steal Mason Pierce, and not seen for my talent.