Twisted Every Way: A Haunting Love Triangle

Chapter 1: First Encounters

Part 1: Ten Months Ago

(Steven's point of view, Erik Destler)

This is it, today is the day. My first Broadway rehearsal for Phantom of the Opera. Although I don't know my role yet, since I have been in both the US and World Tour casts as Erik, I am hoping and praying that Cameron and Andrew saw my potential and cast me as Erik again. Oh, pardon me, how rude of me not to introduce myself. My name is Steven James Carpenter, and I am a stage actor who has performed in both the West End of London in Les Misérables and Phantom of the Opera and on the US and World Tours of Phantom and Wicked. I have been a music and voice instructor for over 20 years and I have been writing music since I was about nine years old. I am 48 years old, have never been married and I know why. I was born with a slight abnormality on my right cheek and after I had it surgically removed, there is a significant divot in my cheek, which means I have to wear an implant in my cheek so I look somewhat normal. It's removable so I only wear it in public. But thankfully it doesn't affect my singing. I am a baritone by trade, but if I try hard enough I can hit a few high notes. Anyway, I am running late to my first rehearsal, so excuse me.

(Julia's point of view, Christine Daae)

I cannot believe I am late for my first Broadway rehearsal. I should have set a second alarm. Scrambling, my body somehow gets out of bed and into the shower. I dry off and throw on the most comfortable clothes I can find, yoga pants, an oversized sweatshirt, and sneakers. Grabbing my bag and a bottle of water from the fridge, I head out the door. It's hard to believe that I have come this far in my career. From small town high school theatre to the bright lights of Broadway, it seems like a dream! Oh, did I not introduce myself? Hi, I'm Julia Luker! I'm 23 years old and I have been acting and singing since I was very young. I was in the US tour of Finding Neverland as Sylvia Llewelyn Davies as well as the London production of Matilda as Miss Honey, but my dream role has been Christine Daae in Phantom of the Opera. Maybe this time will be my big break. Hopefully I made a good impression on Andrew and Hal two weeks ago. Although I was surprised Cameron wasn't there. Enough about that, if I keep thinking about it, it will make me more nervous than I already am. I wouldn't consider myself that attractive, but for what it's worth, I'm proud of my appearance. Now if you don't mind, I need to get to rehearsal.

(Tim's point of view, Raoul, Vicomte de Chagney)

That was a good workout. I need to get my lungs working for rehearsal today. I am still in shock that I made it into a Broadway show. But it is a long time coming. After years of performing significant roles in the West End such as Jafar in Aladdin, Elder Price in The Book of Mormon, Nicky Arnstein in Funny Girl, Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys and Skye in Mamma Mia, it will be nice to be back state side performing again. My audition must have gone well since Cameron and Hal told me that I had a good chance of getting the role of the Phantom. But only time will tell. I dress in a nice pair of jeans, a button down shirt, pullover sweater and dress shoes. I need to keep up appearances. Oh, I'm sorry, I thought you knew who I was. Well, with my significant theatre background and all. Timothy Landon Stolle, actor, singer and soon to be philanthropist. My parents are investing in this small theatre company in San Francisco after I finish with Phantom ten months from now. I only started acting and singing professionally maybe ten years ago. My life has mostly been focused on philanthropy with my parents. I would consider myself attractive, and at 28 years old, I would consider myself an eligible bachelor. More on me later, for now I must get to the theatre.

(Steven's point of view, Erik Destler)

I make it to the theatre 15 minutes earlier than I expected. What I have been told about this amazing theatre doesn't do it justice. The Majestic Theatre is, well, majestic. It's very old fashioned, the seats are still velvet, the lights similar to that of Her Majesty's in London. I walk in and realize I am not alone. There are tons of people, possibly my fellow cast members here. I recognize Cameron and Andrew immediately, but since I have never met Hal, I only recognized him because of the photos I have seen. But then, someone else catches my eye. She is dressed in yoga pants, an oversized sweatshirt and sneakers. Her dark mahogany brown hair is pulled back in a ponytail revealing a slender jawline. Based on the strength of her neck muscles, I can tell she's a singer, and a good one. I can't wait to experience that. Andrew motions to me and I jump onstage. He shakes my hand and puts his other hand on my shoulder. "Welcome, Steven. I'm glad you're here!" His thick British accent echoes throughout the empty theatre. "Please, have a seat." He motions to a chair with a script on it and claps his hands. "Alright everyone, let's have a seat and introduce ourselves before we begin our first run through." I pick up my script and sit down. Taking a deep breath, I whisper 'Here we go.'

(Julia's point of view, Christine Daae)

To my utmost pleasure, I get to the theatre earlier than I thought which gives me a chance to take in its beauty and splendor. Walking down the main aisle towards the stage, I can't help but imagine the seats sold out on opening night. It sends chills down my spine. I hop up onto the stage and stand in the center of it. Wow, this place is more massive than I expected. Thank goodness it will be dark so I won't really know how many people are actually staring at me. Pulling my hair back and tying it with a hair tie, I take a deep inhale. Without even second guessing myself, I start singing my favorite song from the show. "You were once my one companion. You were all that mattered. You were once a friend and father, then my world was shattered." That sends chills down my spine and I stop. My father would be so proud of me, seeing all that I have and will accomplished. I wish he were here to experience this with me. My thoughts are cut off by a voice coming from the back of the theatre. "Julia, that was incredible!" I look into the back of the theatre and see Hal Prince coming towards me. "Hey, Hal! How are you?" I exclaim, waving. He approaches the stage and smiles. "Are you ready?" he asks. "Absolutely" I say, embracing him. "Let's get set up and then we can talk more." Hal drags out a cart full of folding chairs and we start setting up. More people start coming in and pretty soon the entire stage is covered in folding chairs. Hal hands me my script and I sit in one of the folding chairs. This is it, let's do this.

(Tim's point of view, Raoul, Vicomte de Chagney)

I walk into the theatre at exactly 11:00AM. To my shock and somewhat dismay, my fellow cast mates have already arrived and are seated in a circle on the stage. I walk towards the stage and Cameron stands up and greets me. "Welcome, Tim. Please, join us." He motions to a chair to the right of the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. Her brown hair is in a ponytail and she is wearing yoga pants and an oversized sweatshirt. But something about her seems familiar to me, as if I have seen her before. But I can't place her. I sit in my chair and pick up my script. An elderly gentleman, his face wrinkled with age speaks up, his accent thick. "Thank you for joining us, but please keep in mind everyone that rehearsals start promptly at 11 so please do your best to arrive on time." I snicker under my breath. Who does this guy think he is? Does he even know who I am? He continues speaking. "To begin, let us go around and introduce ourselves, since we all will be working together for the next ten months. I'll start, my name is Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and I am the composer of the score for this incredible show. I am looking forward to working with each and every one of you. Cameron, would you like to go next?" He gestures towards Cameron who nods and rises to his feet. "Good morning everyone, and congratulations on being cast in Phantom! My name is Cameron Mackintosh and I am the original producer of both this show and the West End show. Looking forward to getting to know each one of you." He sits back down and a tall, well-built man seated to Cameron's left stands.