The Hudson Boys

Chapter fourteen

Today is the first day rehearsals for week two of Into the Woods.  We are no longer reading lines at the table and have officially moved onto the stage. 

Reciting lines on stage is a completely different than it was when we were sitting around the table.  Now we really need to step into our character's shoes and play the part. 

One of the casting directors, Luke, is beginning to get annoyed with us.

"You're reciting your lines right, but you're giving me no emotion!" he grunts.  "It's like you don't even know each other!"

"Maybe that's because they don't really know each other" Angela suggests.  "I mean, sure, they know who's playing who, but they don't really know the person who's playing the character."

"Well then we need to change that" Luke simply states.

Luke walks over to some of the crew and says something to them.  They nod their heads and leave the room.  A few minutes later they return, each with two chairs in their hands.  They set them up so there are two rows of chairs placed across from each other stretching across the stage.  Once the chairs are organized to Luke's satisfaction, he turns to face us.

"Speed dating."  We all just stare at him, waiting for him to explain more.  "You and one of your fellow cast members will sit across from one another and tell each other every little thing about yourselves.  After five minute you move on to your next partner.  Go!"

Hesitantly, we all walk over to a chair and sit down.  My first partner is Chloe, the girl who is playing Little Red Riding Hood.

"Hi" she begins.  "I'm Chloe and I'm playing Little Red, but you already know that.  I'm a freshman in college and am planning to major in musical theatre.  I also am on the dance team."

"I'm Jess and I'm playing the part of Cinderella, but you also already know that" I smile, beginning the same way Chloe did.  "I'm a sophomore at Cornell University studying humanities and music, and I'm on the cross country team."  We spend the rest of the five minutes telling each other why we decided to audition for this production.  She tells me about her love for musical theatre and how she wants to be in as many productions as she can.  I tell her about how I'm living with the Hudson's and how Into the Woods is one of my favorite musicals so it seemed perfect.

"No way, you're living with the Hudson's" she asks in disbelief.

I shake my head yes.  "Do you know them?"

"Yeah, well kind of.  I went to school with most of them.  Some graduated before I got to high school.  I didn't really talk to them though, we kind of ran in different social groups.  They hung out with the popular crowd.  More like they were the popular crowd.  And I immersed myself in the theatre department."

"Well, you should come over sometime and really meet them" I suggest.  "They're pretty laid back.  Except for the twins, they're crazy."

Chloe and I start to laugh.  "I would love to."

"Alright, time's up!  The row of chairs closest to the front of the stage, move one seat over to the right!" Luke projects, literally coming out of nowhere.

"Well, it's been nice talking to you!" I say to Chloe as I get up and move to the next seat.

Sitting in front of my is the guy who is playing Prince Charming.

"Hi, I'm Chris.  I'm playing the part of Prince Charming" he says, flashing me a perfect smile.  Wow, his parents must have paid a lot in dental payments.

"Hi, I'm Jess and I'm playing the role of Cinderella" I reply.

"Ah yes, how could I ever forget my lovely Cinderella" Chris responds, changing the tone of his voice so he sounds all dreamy and prince-like.

"And how could I forget my heroic Prince Charming?" I answer, fluttering my eyelashes and making myself sound proper and poised, causing us both to laugh.

"Well, Jess" he begins.  "Tell me about yourself."

We end up spending the rest of the morning "speed dating," making Luke go on about how this better work because if it doesn't then half of a day for rehearsal was wasted for nothing. 

After lunch, we resume rehearsal, this time it goes a lot better.

"Thank god" Luke cries.  "I knew there were beautiful actors somewhere deep inside of you!  Now I never want to see the horrifying creatures you all were this morning!"

Vince picks me up from rehearsal today, telling me about volleyball practice and how he's been talking to the girl that gave him her number last week.

"Her name's Holly" he says, a smile forming on his face.  "She's a sophomore at Arizona State and she's majoring in economics which means she's smart.  I like a girl with a brain." 

Pretty soon we're back at the house.  Vince parks the car and we head inside.

"So Jess, anyone special in your life" Vince asks as we walk into the living room, deciding to watch some tv.

"What?  Yeah, right." I chuckle.  Funny thought.

"What about that guy you were walking out of rehearsal with?  You were talking and laughing.  Is something happening there?" Vince questions, wiggling his eyebrows at me.

"Who Chris?  He's the guy who's playing Prince Charming.  We all speed dated today so we could get to know each other better.  We're just friends" I tell him.

"You went on a date?!" Vince screams.  "And you didn't tell me?!"

"No, no!  It wasn't like that!" I assure him.  "It was a method our casting director made us do so we could all connect more on stage.  It wasn't a real date."

"Good" Vince huffs.  "I need to meet any guy you decide to date before you do.  That way I can see if he's good enough for you."

I'm about to reply when an annoyed looking Parker brushes past us and storms out of the room.  "Was he here the whole time?"

"I guess" Vince shrugs.  "He's probably just annoyed because we interrupted whatever he was doing.  Come on, let's watch some tv."

Rehearsal on Tuesday goes smoothly which makes Luke happy.  I've learned very quickly that a happy Luke means a happy Jess.

At mandatory dinner Claire tells us to stop eating for a second so she can make an announcement. 

"Boys, you already know this so this is primarily for Jess, but I still want you to listen, so shut up.  Next weekend is our annual Hudson memorial day camping trip.  Every year, our family drives to this camping ground where we spend memorial weekend.  We come back Monday morning.  Jess, will this be a problem due to your rehearsals?"

"No, we have off for memorial day" I tell her.

"Perfect!" Claire says in delight, clapping her hands together.  "I'll give you all a list with what to pack.  I know you boys still need it because you all forget something every year.  This is so exciting!  You're going to love it Jess.  Eric and Peyton come with us too!"  Hearing Claire say this makes me even happier.  I've always loved camping and being outdoors.  My family and I apparently used to go camping when we were younger, but I don't really remember going.  I know this because there's a bunch of old, used camping equipment in our garage.  I don't know exactly why, but we stopped going.  I guess it just became too much of a hastle.

I'm also glad that Peyton's coming.  We've gotten pretty close and I'm excited to spend time with her.

After Claire's announcement, we all go our separate ways.  I spend the rest of the night helping Jason with his portfolio and then make my way to my room so I can go to bed.