the stars in your eyes | t.s. one shots

the critic

the idea for this one shot came to me at intermission of the devil wears prada the musical in london last week and that just feels important to share<3

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It's opening night. It's opening night of Taylor's first Broadway show. It's opening night of Taylor's first Broadway show, and she's leading the whole damn thing.

When the curtain falls, she knows that she's happy with her performance. She's proud of everyone else in the cast, the people who have become so important to her over the last few months. They're proud of the production they've made... but what they all think really doesn't matter. Nor does the hard work they put in, the blood, sweat, and tears. None of it matters. It's what the reviewers are going to say that will determine their fate.

The reviews are good predictors for the Tony Awards. The Tony Awards will bring about audiences. Audiences, getting butts in seats... that's what keeps them open. That's what lets them have a long run where they get to keep doing exactly what they love eight times a week. That's always the goal.

Taylor can't help but smile at herself as she looks in the mirror. It's the prettiest she's ever felt. She's got this fucking expensive Vivinne Westwood dress in fiery orange- not a color she's usually bold enough to wear, but it felt like a 'go big or go home' kind of day. Her hair fell out of her pincurls from beneath her wig in perfect ringlets that she touched up with a curling iron and paired with some sparkling eyeshadow and chunky heels.

Outside of her door, she can hear the commotion of the ensemble girls heading out of their dressing room to go to the party. It's time for Taylor to do the same. Tomorrow is a day off of performances, which means she can't wait to get a couple vodka crans into her system and celebrate.

It is her Broadway debut, after all. That's worth partying about.

Even if she knows that in a few short hours, the reviews will start to hit the presses.

Taylor pushes the thought out of her mind and flits around the party, talking to everyone and taking pictures, talking to the press.

"Taylor, will you play a game with us?" a female reporter asks. "For the New York Theatre Review?"

"Sure!" Taylor smiles. A camera and microphone are pointed in her face.

"Okay, so I'm going to say a word, and I want you to sing a musical theatre song with that word in it. Are you ready?"

"I was born ready," she grins at the camera.

She goes through the words. Life- 'In My Life' from Les Miserables. Young- 'Hello Young Lovers' from The King and I. Snow- that one's in 'Corner of the Sky' from Pippin. Each word that's thrown at her, she comes up with a snappy new tune.

"How about step?" the woman asks.

Taylor goes blank. "Shoot. Um... um..." she stutters, trying to come up with something. "Oh my god, I can't believe I can't think of anything." She laughs. "Step... Step..."

There's a few more seconds of her before the reporter smiles. "That's time! What about Kinky Boots? 'Step One?'"

"Oh my god!" Taylor laughs. "Geez. Okay, revoke my BFA right now." She pauses, then it hits her. "It's in A Chorus Line too. Probably a million times, right? 'Step, kick, kick, leap, kick, touch...' Fuck." Her face goes red. "I'm not allowed to say that, am I?"

"No probably not," the reporter laughs. "We can edit it out." She pauses. "How are you feeling, Taylor?"

"Right at this very moment? Pretty dumb after losing that game that way. But overall... it's opening night! I made my Broadway debut tonight, and I'm so proud of this show and this whole company. So... pretty great, otherwise."