"Julia was right, this dress is heavy," I complain, remembering how the lead complained about the exquisite costumes a while ago. 

     I look at myself in the full length mirror of the dressing room I have come to know, clothed in Kaley's exquisite wedding dress. Every other costume has fit almost perfectly since Kaley and I are pretty much the average height and weight for girls our age. The only thing left to decide is the wedding gown (working on it), wig, and voice-over. Oh, and just all of the choreography and songs. 

     But no biggie, really.

     "I think it is just about right, dearie," the dresser comments, the pins remaining in her mouth a relieving sign that no alterations are to be made. Which is actually a relief since I cannot bear the thought of someone ripping through the seams of this masterpiece.

     Since I am the actual Christine dresser, Holland had Meg's dresser, Edna Archer, step into my shoes and make sure everything fits properly and all of that important nonsense. Which I truly do not mind since she smells like Peppermint tea and calls me things like 'dearie' and 'sweetie', which sounds warming in her strong English accent. She cannot be more than forty-five, but she tells me stories about her young life back in Southampton, England that make her sound like she knows what she is talking about. She describes visiting the Stonehenge sight numerous times, since it was only a few hours away, and how it never seizes to amaze her. Even now, thirty years later. She could be as wise as an eighty year old, which makes me wonder why she chose to become a dresser instead of a historian. When I ask her this, the answer is simple;

     "I enjoy teaching people things they would never expect to learn on an average day. If I were to become a historian, the people I talk to would foresee the information I educate them with because they are at a museum and that is what people do at museums. However, I will use the present as an example, you were not expecting to be informed about history just now, no?"

     I shake my head side-to-side in a simplistic response.

     "That is what gives me a subtle thrill, the innocence. The unexpected passerby just being enthralled by new facts. Everybody should learn at least one new thing a day, and I intend on fulfilling that duty for the sake of others. You did not expect me to teach you about Stonehenge, and yet, you learned it anyways. Whether you wanted to or not, you have just increased your reservoir of knowledge," Edna explains, her eyes wide behind the thin framed glasses perched atop her nose. Her slightly graying hair is in an impeccable bun, not a hair out of place. 

     "Why here, though? Why spread your knowledge as a dresser on Broadway?" I ask curiously, stepping out of the white gown carefully and handing it to the dresser. I can now check wedding gown off of my 'to-do list'.

     She grabs a hanger and starts to hang the elaborate costume before explaining, "I was a friend of Maria Bjornson when she first started working on 'The Phantom of the Opera'.  That was when I was working as a tour guide for the Stonehenge site. She went there for inspiration, since her designs were often influenced by architectural fascinations. She liked how passionate I was, and asked me to be her 'assistant' of sorts. The pay was better than my current job so I accepted it. Originally I was appointed as the manager for the West End, but I moved to the United States about five years ago since I wanted to witness more cultural diffusion. They allowed me a job on Broadway, but the only open position was a dresser for the ballet girls and Meg Giry. I accepted it, and I must say it has been the most spectacular experience."

     I nod thoughtfully, digesting what the older woman has just told me. New experiences prompt new knowledge, and that is the predicament I currently reside in. Perhaps knowing what it feels like to be in the spotlight, on the stage and in front of eager eyes, will influence me to greater design levels. In my college classes my designs were not extraordinary and nothing like the great works of Maria Bjornson. But she had a certain design aesthetic, I just need to find mine. 

     Tonight I have not been given a chance, but an opportunity. 

     I change back into my sweater, jeans, and boots. Although it is absurd, I wish I had brought clothes to rehearse in. Of course, I hadn't exactly planned on starring in a Tony award winning musical, but plans change. 

     "Your costumes are all set, just go to Leon for wig fittings," she smiles softly at me, which prompts the wrinkles near her eyes to become more prominent.

     I turn to leave, but before I walk away I bite my lip and turn back to the dresser, "Thank you," I blurt out, "For your wisdom and knowledge. Sometimes that could be the most precious things to share to another."

     Edna smiles, "Thank you for listening."

- - -

     "To soar!"I sing, stretching my mouth wide to reach the rather high note... for the fifth time. The orchestra's melodies fade away as the director interrupts us again.

     "You almost got it that time, you were just a smidge flat," the director advises me carefully, "Remember, you want the note to just float over the audience and enrapture them in an essence of beauty, okay?"

     I nod nervously, "Okay- yeah, I'll uh- try it again," I shoot an apologetic glance at Jeremy Hays, who accompanies me during the rooftop scene. 

     Assuming my position on center stage, I stare out above the barren seats. The exact seats that will be filled in just a mere 8 hours; that is a blink of the eye in rehearsal time. The orchestra begins to play once again, and I wait for my cue.

     "And through music my soul began to soar!" I stretch my mouth open a bit wider and look at a light in the corner of the theater, imagining that I could see the note and using my voice to try and reach it, a technique taught to me by one of my very first voice teachers.

     The director starts clapping, "She got it! Now continue, feel the essence of the scene." He starts to move his hands in a circular motion, so I continue.

     "And I heard as I'd never heard before..." I fade away, tightly wrapping the green cape around my shoulders. The director basically insisted I wear it for rehearsals.

     Jeremy Hays scoffs, "What you heard was a dream and nothing more..."

     "Yet in his eyes, all the sadness of the world. Those pleading eyes, that both threaten and adore..." I rub my thumb over my pointer and middle finger repeatedly while nervously biting my lip, interrupting the young Vicomte.  

     "Christine, Christine," Jeremy comforts, starting to approach me, but stops when Jeremy Stolle pitches in:

     "Christine..."

     My eyes grow wide and dart everywhere to "look"for the Phantom's voice, even though I know he is above me on some built-in-balcony kinda thing.

     But ya know, acting and all. 

     "What was that?" I ask hollowly, knowing that Raoul/Jeremy Hays would have no explanation. When silence is the only thing that follows my question, I fall to the ground and bury my face into my hands as the cape covers my huddled form. I am supposed to look unbearably vulnerable and hopeless. I silently pray that my acting looks believable.

     "Christine!" 'Raoul' rushes towards me and takes my hands, gently pulling them away from my face and lifting me up slowly. 

      As we make eye contact, the director interrupts us with loud claps that echo off of the walls as the orchestra stops playing, "Beautiful! Be-a-u-ti-ful! I could feel the dense chemistry between you two. It was perfect, just how I envisioned it to be," he fake swoons and beams at us brightly, "Annaleigh you are going to be a pearl tonight."

     I bow my head slightly, "Thank you, sir. Of course, I couldn't do it without my leading man." I smile and jokingly punch Jeremy Hays in the arm. 

    "You are the leading lady," he rebuts and rests a hand on my shoulder, "And he is right, you did amazing."

     Suddenly a voice from above us calls out, "Whoa- whoa there, what about me?" 

     Jeremy Hays and I both look up to see Jeremy Stolle waving his arms maniacally at us from his, quote un-quote, 'some built-in balcony kinda thing'. 

     "Yeah, what about you?" Jeremy Hays calls up, crossing his arms. He is trying to put on a tough facade, but it doesn't work since a smile escapes his lips. Hard to believe he acts for a living when he can't even keep a straight face.

     "You're already having Annaleigh choose sides? Totally unfair..." Jeremy Stolle frowns and looks at me with sad puppy dog eyes. 

     Laughing, the curly blonde puts a helpless look on his face, "It is not my fault if she chooses me in the end... I mean how could you not?" He strikes a totally inappropriate pose, which includes his tongue sticking out and oh--- a rip in the buttocks of his pants. 

     My hand instantly clasps over my mouth as laughs engulf my every being, "I didn't know the Vicomte wore pink underwear."

     "Remember that tonight when you think about choosing not-so-whitey-tighties over me!" Jeremy Stolle yells over his chortling. He then continues to strike a very Gaston-like pose from The Beauty and the Beast. 

     "You guys are insane," I shake my head, the corner of my lips still up-turned humorously.

     Loud footsteps sound on the stage as the director barks out instructions, "Okay, let us start All I Ask of You.... or?"

     I follow his confused gaze only to find that he has spotted Jeremy Hays' um... dungaree disaster .

     "I think I need a moment," the embarrassed actor tries to keep a straight face but (again) fails miserably and ends up cracking a smile. His cheeks are a fluorescent red color.

     The director shakes his head, "Very well, go along."

     We all watch Jeremy Hays awkwardly waddle to stage left, trying to cover up the rip along his but. Truthfully I would rather have that happen in a rehearsal than during a show. Actually, I would have rather not seen his underwear at all. I'll have to Google how to erase my memory when I get home...

     "So!" the director swiftly claps his hands once, regaining our distracted attention. "We will have to rehearse only the scenes that the rather classy Vicomte de Chagny does not make an appearance in."

     We all nod knowingly in response, with such limited time to run through these scenes even mere minutes can make or break a show. Jeremy's diversion could set us back if we do not quickly move onto something else.

     The director's gray eyes are narrowed behind his thick framed glasses as he glances through a big black binder, "Okay, I got it." He props the binder open on the palm of his hand while using the other to move around vividly while talking. 

"

     To me the plan seems simple, however there are many daunting tasks that have to be accomplished in those scenes.

     Like, oh I don't know; The freaking ear-piercing note at the end of the title song.

     My range could be considered impressive but not that impressive.

     Tentatively I raise  my hand so the director can see it. I watch as he glances up from the binder and then furrows his graying eyebrows in a baffled emotion, "Yes, dear?"

     "I-uh" I clear my throat, "After working here for a bit I do realize that the title song is recorded, so what am I supposed to do? As far as I know you guys have not recorded me.."

     The older man merely nods his head slowly, "Yes that is quite a problem. But alas there is a solution! You will just have to sing it live along with Jeremy Stolle. The reason why we record it is mostly because of the intense machinery that the mics could pick up, but we will just turn up the orchestra's amplifier and have you guys project your voices," he winks, "Also it is to protect Christine's, well, your voice so it does not strain so early in the show. But we can match a current Christine's last note to your voice and see which one blends the best. I am thinking Elizabeth Welch's since hers is not very well known...."

     The information spewing out of his mouth like a pressure-cooked volcano is a lot to take in and it makes me realize how demanding this role truly is. No wonder why they have two Christines... I could hardly handle this for one night!

     I nod like I remember everything he just told me and look at Jeremy Stolle nervously. This is the most coveted role for females in musical theatre, they would not have granted me the honor of endowing the title of Christine Daae if they did not think I could handle this. 

      "So let's start! Cause you've got an awfully long way to go..." Jeremy Stolle sings and does a weird dance move away from me. If I had to describe it, it would be something along the lines of the Charleston mixed with the bump from the 80's. It was certainly a sight to see. 

     Well this day certainly turned out-- different.