Hear My Voice

A Much Needed Intermission

I grip Jeremy's hand as hard as I can as we exit the stage, biting my lips to fight back a smile. Relief fills me as soon as the spotlight no longer shines in my eyes. I can breathe again.

But hey- don't get me wrong. It has been exhilarating.

"Woah, OW!" Jeremy pries my hand off of his, "I'd prefer to not have a broken hand, thanks," he laughs.

"Ugh, sorry. My nerves have never been so- so jittery," I moan while scratching my head. We jog down to where I will get my wig changed for the countess scene and where I will take my bows.

Jeremy pats me on the back, "You're doing great, bud. Just have fun."

Yeah.. fun.. I'll remember that after all of my cues, notes, rhythms, lines, choreography, blocking... the list goes on and on.

"Made your song take wing..." Jeremy Stolle croons as his voice floats through the air, drawing my attention to the present.

Leone smiles at me as he approaches, taking care in removing the brown curls from my head, and instead replacing them with a gray beehive-looking thing. It's actually hideous... and heavy. Sarah, another dresser, removes my mint green cape. I squint beneath the bright lights attached to their heads. 

A stagehand comes up, "You guys have ten seconds," he whispers, and then mumbles something into his headset. It sounded like 'turn on their mics'.

"When he heard you sing.... Christine.." a hollow moan echoes through.

"Say, you'll share with me one love, one lifetime. Say the word and I will follow you," Jeremy and I sing in unison, "Share each day with me, each night, each morning..."

As soon as the stagehand gives us the signal that our mics are off, I rush to my fellow Il Muto cast-mates as we line up on stage behind the blood-red curtain.

"- all that the Phantom asked of you!" the Phant- I mean Jeremy Stolle- belts to the heavens.

The Il Muto cast walks out, holding hands as the curtain folds back to let them through. I count in my head the number of beats, and then it's my turn to go out for a supposed 'curtain call'. 

Again, the audience claps along with the act. My smiles shines as I grab my cast-mate's hands and give them thankful glances. The large orchestra blares another rendition of the overture as we bow in unison. 

Suddenly, my cast mates step aside, and I take one final bow all by myself. Center stage, right where I am supposed to be for the tragedy that is about to happen. 

"Go!" Jeremy shouts as the chandelier flickers hauntingly. I glance up at it with a curious look, and then utter a very audible gasp when it starts to drop. The lights grow larger and brighter as they head straight for me and my cowering frame.

My eyes are wide and I am just about to utter an ear-piercing scream when I am knocked to the side by Raoul. I feel the heavy thud of the chandelier land beside me, and when relief fills every inch of my being I realize the fear was more heartfelt than necessary. 

Let's just say that scream would not have been acting.

The lights go out for the end of Act I and Jeremy Hays holds my hand comfortingly as we exit the stage. The friendly gesture eases my racing heart.

"Every Christine hates that part the first few times," he explains, probably hearing my labored breathing, "I mean, I don't know a single person who necessarily wants a ton of metal and framework heading straight at them."

I nod in agreement, " I felt like a deer in headlights."

He chuckles to himself, "You certainly looked like one. Luckily, I was there to play 'Superman' again, and save the day.." he roles his eyes sarcastically.