My Impromptu Broadway Debut

Emily Baker moved to New York City five years ago when she was 18 to pursue her lifelong dream of being on Broadway. She spent her first two years auditioning like crazy to find a stable gig, and landed in the ensemble of Broadway's longest running musical, The Phantom of the Opera. Three years into the job, and she isn't even close to being bored. One night, the leading lady of the cast cannot go on as Christine AND her understudy is on vacation. The producers face the possibility of having to cancel the performance until Emily steps in and offers to cover the part. With much apprehension, they accept her offer and rush her into the rehearsal room. As her Broadway debut in a lead role quickly approaches, she has to put her nerves and fears to the side and give the audience what they want. As the saying goes, the show must go on!

This story was inspired by the real life event in which Tee Boyich, a standby in Mean Girls the musical on Broadway, when on as Janis with only a few hours of notice. Janis was a role that she was not a standby for, and she managed to learn the choreography and music for the role and successfully went on that night - essentially saving the show!

This is my first writing project that I have managed to complete and feel somewhat proud of, so I am hoping that those who read this enjoy it and at least find it somewhat interesting. I love Phantom, and I wanted to bring a fun and unexpected twist into it and bring some light on the understudies, standbys and ensemble members of shows. Feel free to leave any feedback, but please try to be respectful - I am a human and I have feelings!!