A Wedding Tale

Chapter 14: Act One

April 11, 2020
     Today was our first full run through of the show! I know it's going to be a long day... We have class at nine, a full run through at ten, a wig fitting at fifteen till one, and rehearsal for Onegin at three. I would have small breaks during rehearsals, but it still wouldn't be enough. Luckily, I just had to sit during my wig fitting.

Here we go!

     Xoxo,
          Marilyn Danäe Minnelli

     After our usual hour long warmup class, we prepared for the top of the show. I went downstairs and grabbed my opening dress and my pregnancy dress so I could rehearse my quick change. I slipped into the silky, purple dress and pulled the thin straps over my shoulders. Since we were still in the studio, I left my leotard on so I didn't flash anyone. It would be different backstage since it would be dark. I hung my other costume on the barre on stage right.

     "Hey, Luna?"

     "Yeah?" she stopped going over her solo and came over to me. 

     "Do you mind helping me with the quick change from this into the pregnancy costume?"

     "Sure. When is it?"

     "It's during the Prologue. I'll run off stage right and I just need you to have the costume ready for me to slide into. Also," I brought her to where the costume was, "you'll need to hook this together and then zip it up." I demonstrated.

     "Okay. I think I can handle that," she gave a breathy laugh.

     "Great! Thank you," I said before going to stage left.

     "Everyone!" my mother shouted to grab our attention. "I want this run through to go as smoothly as possible. We will not be stopping unless something very bad happens. Nova is here," she pointed to our stage manager, "and she will be taking notes for the crew. Mrs. Scarlett is here," she gestured to our assistant stage manager, "and she will be running the music. I'll be taking notes on the dancing. If there isn't any questions, places!"

     My mother began the music for the Prologue, and Everly, Emma, McKenna, Kenzie, and Madison took their places in the middle of the studio. They performed the contemporary choreography with delicacy. Bentley and Micah ran in and began playing on the ground. They looked as if they were planning a battle strategy before Kenzie and McKenna came and kneeled beside both of them. The boys stood up in unison and Everly and Emma placed the crowns on their small heads. Jonatan and Jace came up behind the younger versions of them, and took the crowns off their heads and transferred them to their own heads. The boys dashed upstage and off in excitement. Jace and Jonatan locked arms and began their duet. There were several leaps and quick foot work involved. Once the other girls were offstage, we lined up to walk on. We peacefully entered on high demi-pointe and took our spots for the ron de jambe's. As our legs glided in unison, the sound of satin on the marley floor was heard. I executed my bourree's back and watched as the other's weaved through Jace and Jonatan.

     Finally, I ran towards Jonatan. My heart raced as his arms wrapped around me and we unraveled to face each other. The kiss wasn't awkward anymore. It came natural to us. During those eight counts, he begged for entrance. I knew I could not allow it because we would miss our cue to break apart.

We broke apart and went to our knees. We performed a port de bra sequence that reflected us reciting our wedding vows. Every time our eyes met, I felt a blush on my face. I hoped no one noticed. As we continued the Pas de Duex, I tried to carry my own weight. I knew that today would be a very tiring day for him and we still had three more Pas de Duex's to go.