My Impromptu Broadway Debut

What Do We Do Now?

Friday, May 18th. 1 PM. New York City - My Apartment.

As I go through the afternoon, I am working on my vocal warm ups when my phone suddenly starts vibrating like crazy. Someone is blowing up my phone with texts!

I check my phone and the notifications are coming from the company group chat that everyone in the show is part of.

The stage manager has sent out a text that has justifiably freaked everyone out...

"Good afternoon everyone, Rachel just called out due to a crazy flight delay and will not be going on as Christine tonight. Justine is not available, as she is on vacation until next week. And, as you all know, Danielle is unable to fill-in since she has classes tonight."

The texts after this message consist of question marks, various emojis of the anxious type and the big question: who will be Christine tonight?

I, myself, am curious to find out what will happen in this scenario, as I have never experienced this in the three years I've been in the show.

After probably 15 or 20 minutes or so, the stage manager responds with a very disappointing response.

"We have nobody else to play Christine tonight, so we are most likely going to have to cancel the show tonight and then add an extra show to next week to make up for it."

This makes people upset because not only is a canceled performance a huge disappointment and loss of money, it also adds more work for everyone next week. We all love what we do and we love the show to death, but 9 shows in one week is not what anyone wants to do.

As everyone is responding with dismay and some with slight anger or irritation, a crazy idea hits me. It is absolutely unheard of and has never been done before, at least to my knowledge it hasn't.

I send out one text, and my fate is pretty much sealed.

"I can maybe try and do it...?"