Falling Slowly: Chapter 1
Chapter 1:The Rocker And I
It’s a Saturday morning and I was called to the Pantages Theatre, California for a meeting. They made my weekend, alright?
Even being 22 years-old and a graduate from a good university of performing arts in California, I still find it hard coping up with the professional actors and actors especially those who really grew up on stage. So I was quite nervous about this, but excited at the same time.
“Odessa, we’re starting the meeting now.” I heard the French accent with the voice of soprano Ma’am Lolita Williams.
“Y-yes Ma’am, I’m on my way.” I always felt like she was more superior (which she is) than me since I’ve entered this theatre after I graduated.
I watched her walking like a queen as she paged everyone to go to the stage to gather. I walked behind her, feeling so small.
The murmurs I heard minutes ago quieted down when Ma’am Lolita shushed us. “We will be working on a new production for this year.”
The crew was still quiet by the news. “Uhm, Ma’am, will there be like an audition or something?” Anthony, one of the actors in the crew questioned the directress.
“Actually,” Ma’am Lolita answered, lifting her glasses as she turned to Anthony. “We’ve already assigned the roles.” Ma’am Lolita walked to the exit of the stage.
“This time, we got some actors and actresses from different studios.” Ma’am Lolita announced as she fixed the bun of her red hair a little bit. “Please come on stage.” Ma’am Lolita summoned the other members of the crew.
“This is Julie Reiber.” Ma’am Lolita pointed her quite-wrinkled fingers to a blonde woman probably in her mid 20’s. Ma’am Lolita just went on introducing the other members of the crew. I just listened, not bothering to remember each and everyone’s name.
Ah, okay. I simply reacted that way with the introduction of the crew members.
“And lastly, this is Adam.” Ma’am Lolita went on with the last one to be introduced. He caught my attention, unlike the rest of everyone else.
Black haired, tall, dressed in gray shirt and tight jeans that traced his slender figure, he was probably mid 20’s too.
“Hi.” He said in his calm voice, yet excited and with the friendliest tone.
His smile that can light up the whole theatre flashed on me. I smiled back at him, trying to be friendly. He took his right hand for a handshake of hello.
“I’m Adam.”
“Odessa,” I put my left hand out to hold his right hand and shook it. His hand was warm and smooth.
“Nice meeting you. I hope to get to know you more soon.” Adam said, turning to another person to introduce himself.
“Okay, settle down, people.” Ma’am Lolita clapped her hands to page us, succeeding to catch everyone’s attention. “Now, I will be announcing what production we will be doing then, we will announce your roles.” Ma’am Lolita stated as she got a piece of paper and rolled it.
“For the next production this year, we will be having Wicked.” Ma’am Lolita announced.
Wicked, that’s what I’ve been wanting to do since I read that book. Elphaba was my dream role.
I want to be Elphaba with that cutie Adam as Fiyero. I thought to myself suddenly. But I felt like that was quite impossible right now.
“Julie, of course you will be taking the part of Elphaba.” Ma’am Lolita said, smiling at the blondie.
“Oh, thank you, Ma’am Lolita.” Julie replied.
“And you, Adam, you will be playing as Fiyero.” Ma’am Lolita told the cutie almost like a Hollywood star given his role in a big production.
I knew it. Adam would be Fiyero, and I had a low chance of taking the part of Elphaba. But I started hoping I’d take at least Glinda’s part; another role of my choice if it weren’t going to be Elphie.
But Ma’am Lolita pointed at some girl telling her that she was playing as Glinda.
Okay. Not a chance. Nessa Rose perhaps?
But I got my hopes up. Ma’am Lolita just kept reading the list allowed and mentioned all the other major characters.
I’M AN EXTRA CHARACTER WHO DANCES BACKUP, OKAY?! I may be new at this professional career being on stage, but IT’S WICKED! IT WAS A PRODUCTION I REALLY WANTED TO DO WITH ME AS THE LEAD!
After months of preparing for the production, we finally came up with a successful production. Despite that I was just an extra. I envied that blondie for being able to kiss Adam in As Long As You’re Mine. Darn. She kissed such a hottie.
Adam looked so much like a prince in Wicked. He sang like a Disney prince too!
But I was just crushing on him. I don’t even know him so well since we were all busy preparing for the production.
It was the same night after the last day of the tour for the production when we had a thanksgiving party.
While I was talking with some people from the production, Ma’am Lolita came to me. “You did a great job, Odessa.” She said, tapping my shoulder. She was probably encouraging me because she was feeling sympathy for me for not giving me the role I wanted.
“Thank you, Ma’am.” I forced to smile at her, even if I found it aggravating to the thought. Ma’am Lolita started thinking.
“Perhaps, I can give you a major role for the next production for doing well in Wicked.” She stated.
“Are you serious?!” My thought of her being a superior to me was all forgotten. “I mean, I was just an extra in the last production, you really want me to do a lead?”
“Why not, it’s time that you should be promoted, don’t you think? There would always come a time when we all have to be promoted.” Ma’am Lolita said from the top of her lungs with her soprano voice, smiling at me with full of pride.
It was just so hard to believe. She was actually promoting me! I can get to Broadway in no time.
Just when I was alone to get a drink for myself in one of the corners of the fancy hall, Adam approached me.
“Nice suits.” I complimented Adam who was in an Armani suit [probably] that was open with his black shirt inside seen. He just looked amazing.
“Thanks. You too, nice dress,” He stated, looking at my black a-line dress that was v-neck and had silver rose brooch on my left chest.
“Thank you.” I said, being sincere, as I sipped on my glass of champagne. “You did a great job, Fiyero.” I said, winking. “Oh, thanks! You too! Without you, guys, the musical wouldn’t have gotten livelier.” Adam laughed.
“I honestly wanted to be Elphaba.” I admitted, scratching my nose sheepishly. “Aw, it’s okay. I’m sure you’ll be given better roles than that in the future.” Adam encouraged me, rubbing my back a bit.
“Thanks.”
We just went on with the conversation until the party was over.
Adam is such a sweet guy. I liked him a lot.
But I wish this time would never end, because I knew this would be the last time we would be together working and talking like this.
About 2years later, I came home from the theatre after rehearsing for a production. I sat on the couch of the living room cozily and turned the TV on. Just when I relaxingly pressed the remote controller, American Idol was about to start. The episode of the night was an audition episode in San Francisco.
There are really hilarious contestants who audition purely for exposure. And some just don’t probably understand WHAT American Idol’s about. There were contestants who danced like crazy, who felt like they can sing, and whatever. It was surely one of the funniest parts of American Idol, and gets serious on the latter episodes. There were contestants who were also worth going to Hollywood.
Maybe I should join. Thoughts like that ran through my mind while I watched different personalities auditioning.
Suddenly, I stopped criticizing people and imaging myself in American Idol when one contestant caught my attention. I stopped doing everything I was doing, but stared at the TV screen when the contestant entered the room where the 4 judges were.
I widened my eyes when the man was showed on screen.
This guy… I know that face. I thought, quite skeptical about the familiar face.
I’m not sure if this guy on TV is the same guy I’m thinking of.
But I felt my eyes widen more when I saw and heard the name.
“Adam Lambert.”
Oh my gosh, IT’S THE ADAM I KNOW! He’s in American Idol! The man I used to talk to and work with!
His voice was one of a kind, indeed when he sang Bohemian Rhapsody of Queen.
And I think that’s how we’ll begin. The Rocker and I.
It’s a Saturday morning and I was called to the Pantages Theatre, California for a meeting. They made my weekend, alright?
Even being 22 years-old and a graduate from a good university of performing arts in California, I still find it hard coping up with the professional actors and actors especially those who really grew up on stage. So I was quite nervous about this, but excited at the same time.
“Odessa, we’re starting the meeting now.” I heard the French accent with the voice of soprano Ma’am Lolita Williams.
“Y-yes Ma’am, I’m on my way.” I always felt like she was more superior (which she is) than me since I’ve entered this theatre after I graduated.
I watched her walking like a queen as she paged everyone to go to the stage to gather. I walked behind her, feeling so small.
The murmurs I heard minutes ago quieted down when Ma’am Lolita shushed us. “We will be working on a new production for this year.”
The crew was still quiet by the news. “Uhm, Ma’am, will there be like an audition or something?” Anthony, one of the actors in the crew questioned the directress.
“Actually,” Ma’am Lolita answered, lifting her glasses as she turned to Anthony. “We’ve already assigned the roles.” Ma’am Lolita walked to the exit of the stage.
“This time, we got some actors and actresses from different studios.” Ma’am Lolita announced as she fixed the bun of her red hair a little bit. “Please come on stage.” Ma’am Lolita summoned the other members of the crew.
“This is Julie Reiber.” Ma’am Lolita pointed her quite-wrinkled fingers to a blonde woman probably in her mid 20’s. Ma’am Lolita just went on introducing the other members of the crew. I just listened, not bothering to remember each and everyone’s name.
Ah, okay. I simply reacted that way with the introduction of the crew members.
“And lastly, this is Adam.” Ma’am Lolita went on with the last one to be introduced. He caught my attention, unlike the rest of everyone else.
Black haired, tall, dressed in gray shirt and tight jeans that traced his slender figure, he was probably mid 20’s too.
“Hi.” He said in his calm voice, yet excited and with the friendliest tone.
His smile that can light up the whole theatre flashed on me. I smiled back at him, trying to be friendly. He took his right hand for a handshake of hello.
“I’m Adam.”
“Odessa,” I put my left hand out to hold his right hand and shook it. His hand was warm and smooth.
“Nice meeting you. I hope to get to know you more soon.” Adam said, turning to another person to introduce himself.
“Okay, settle down, people.” Ma’am Lolita clapped her hands to page us, succeeding to catch everyone’s attention. “Now, I will be announcing what production we will be doing then, we will announce your roles.” Ma’am Lolita stated as she got a piece of paper and rolled it.
“For the next production this year, we will be having Wicked.” Ma’am Lolita announced.
Wicked, that’s what I’ve been wanting to do since I read that book. Elphaba was my dream role.
I want to be Elphaba with that cutie Adam as Fiyero. I thought to myself suddenly. But I felt like that was quite impossible right now.
“Julie, of course you will be taking the part of Elphaba.” Ma’am Lolita said, smiling at the blondie.
“Oh, thank you, Ma’am Lolita.” Julie replied.
“And you, Adam, you will be playing as Fiyero.” Ma’am Lolita told the cutie almost like a Hollywood star given his role in a big production.
I knew it. Adam would be Fiyero, and I had a low chance of taking the part of Elphaba. But I started hoping I’d take at least Glinda’s part; another role of my choice if it weren’t going to be Elphie.
But Ma’am Lolita pointed at some girl telling her that she was playing as Glinda.
Okay. Not a chance. Nessa Rose perhaps?
But I got my hopes up. Ma’am Lolita just kept reading the list allowed and mentioned all the other major characters.
I’M AN EXTRA CHARACTER WHO DANCES BACKUP, OKAY?! I may be new at this professional career being on stage, but IT’S WICKED! IT WAS A PRODUCTION I REALLY WANTED TO DO WITH ME AS THE LEAD!
After months of preparing for the production, we finally came up with a successful production. Despite that I was just an extra. I envied that blondie for being able to kiss Adam in As Long As You’re Mine. Darn. She kissed such a hottie.
Adam looked so much like a prince in Wicked. He sang like a Disney prince too!
But I was just crushing on him. I don’t even know him so well since we were all busy preparing for the production.
It was the same night after the last day of the tour for the production when we had a thanksgiving party.
While I was talking with some people from the production, Ma’am Lolita came to me. “You did a great job, Odessa.” She said, tapping my shoulder. She was probably encouraging me because she was feeling sympathy for me for not giving me the role I wanted.
“Thank you, Ma’am.” I forced to smile at her, even if I found it aggravating to the thought. Ma’am Lolita started thinking.
“Perhaps, I can give you a major role for the next production for doing well in Wicked.” She stated.
“Are you serious?!” My thought of her being a superior to me was all forgotten. “I mean, I was just an extra in the last production, you really want me to do a lead?”
“Why not, it’s time that you should be promoted, don’t you think? There would always come a time when we all have to be promoted.” Ma’am Lolita said from the top of her lungs with her soprano voice, smiling at me with full of pride.
It was just so hard to believe. She was actually promoting me! I can get to Broadway in no time.
Just when I was alone to get a drink for myself in one of the corners of the fancy hall, Adam approached me.
“Nice suits.” I complimented Adam who was in an Armani suit [probably] that was open with his black shirt inside seen. He just looked amazing.
“Thanks. You too, nice dress,” He stated, looking at my black a-line dress that was v-neck and had silver rose brooch on my left chest.
“Thank you.” I said, being sincere, as I sipped on my glass of champagne. “You did a great job, Fiyero.” I said, winking. “Oh, thanks! You too! Without you, guys, the musical wouldn’t have gotten livelier.” Adam laughed.
“I honestly wanted to be Elphaba.” I admitted, scratching my nose sheepishly. “Aw, it’s okay. I’m sure you’ll be given better roles than that in the future.” Adam encouraged me, rubbing my back a bit.
“Thanks.”
We just went on with the conversation until the party was over.
Adam is such a sweet guy. I liked him a lot.
But I wish this time would never end, because I knew this would be the last time we would be together working and talking like this.
About 2years later, I came home from the theatre after rehearsing for a production. I sat on the couch of the living room cozily and turned the TV on. Just when I relaxingly pressed the remote controller, American Idol was about to start. The episode of the night was an audition episode in San Francisco.
There are really hilarious contestants who audition purely for exposure. And some just don’t probably understand WHAT American Idol’s about. There were contestants who danced like crazy, who felt like they can sing, and whatever. It was surely one of the funniest parts of American Idol, and gets serious on the latter episodes. There were contestants who were also worth going to Hollywood.
Maybe I should join. Thoughts like that ran through my mind while I watched different personalities auditioning.
Suddenly, I stopped criticizing people and imaging myself in American Idol when one contestant caught my attention. I stopped doing everything I was doing, but stared at the TV screen when the contestant entered the room where the 4 judges were.
I widened my eyes when the man was showed on screen.
This guy… I know that face. I thought, quite skeptical about the familiar face.
I’m not sure if this guy on TV is the same guy I’m thinking of.
But I felt my eyes widen more when I saw and heard the name.
“Adam Lambert.”
Oh my gosh, IT’S THE ADAM I KNOW! He’s in American Idol! The man I used to talk to and work with!
His voice was one of a kind, indeed when he sang Bohemian Rhapsody of Queen.
And I think that’s how we’ll begin. The Rocker and I.