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uwua3 · 4 years

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hmmm can i request masumi moving on from the director to the assistant director (reader)? like how he would transition and realize that he doesn’t actually love the director and is falling in love with the reader instead? thank you so much. i love your headcanons. theyre super lengthy, and they capture the emotions of the characters perfectly!! keep up the good work, love! :)

thank you so much!!! i’m so glad that i can portray the emotions of a character somewhat well 🥺 i often have a hard time pinpointing exact feelings so i’m so happy it doesn’t hold back my writings! i will keep doing my best to bring you the coolest pieces ever, mark my words!!! but this prompt is so ??? interesting that i’ve been thinking about it outside of tumblr, you know! i’ve held this off until i had a solid idea so here i am! ready to bring this to justice, wish me well!!! ♡

summary: masumi’s love language is making playlists, apparently

warnings: absent parents, one (1) argument, unrequited love

author’s note: please understand masumi was a hopeless romantic teen who grew up without love so his crush on izumi is definitely unhealthy, but it makes sense for his background TT i hope he overcomes a character arc where he “falls out of love” and loves himself more :D

word count: 3,666

music: breakfast in the park – scotty sire

one playlist, one song.

🌸💌 usui masumi

everything masumi did was for izumi

he acted on stage flawlessly by the script just to hear her approval from backstage. he put his acting career before his studies to have her praise the next day when he memorized his lines. he woke up for izumi, and fell asleep to see her sooner. eat, sleep, and breathe for izumi. masumi was in love

it didn’t matter if she loved him back, it was the feeling he wanted

growing up, no one loved him. so this unrequited love wasn’t painful, maybe it’s what he deserved for being so hard to love. if only he was better, did everything to improve, used every waking hour of his time to become the person izumi wanted him to be, then maybe he’d be deserving

masumi loved izumi, at least, so he thought

(but was this true love? why did the people he love always reject him? what was wrong, what did he have to do to be loved?)

it was another day, masumi opened his eyes and his first immediate thought was to greet izumi “good morning” and make sure she had her breakfast the way she liked it. he would pull a chair out for her, sit across the table after preparing her favorite coffee perfectly, and spend every second in between with her until they had dinner together

it was a cycle, a pattern misumi couldn’t find himself not doing. he lived for it, it’s what he was born to do

when masumi hurried to the kitchen to remain on schedule, he stopped by the entrance. someone else was in izumi’s place, a mug in your hand with a packet of papers open on the counter. you didn’t notice the teen by the door as you read through the stack

huh... you weren’t izumi

you looked up from the fine text and saw a boy staring at you with an apprehensive expression, as if he was wishing to will you away with the sheer force of his glare. in fact, he even appeared frustrated, his eyes narrowed and arms crossed over his chest

(of course he was angry! you were in izumi’s place, you interrupted his entire plan of the day! this was taking time out of his “loving izumi” schedule)

before you could say anything, the director walked into the room and you knew what was going on. the teen’s eyes practically became hearts, you could hear the pulse of his heartbeat from where you were, he instantly smiled and his whole face changed

it didn’t take any skills whatsoever to know izumi had a (not so) secret admirer in the dorms

“masumi!” izumi said, smiling back at him and missing the way he immediately melted at the way she pronounced his name. masumi suddenly wanted to hear it again and again. if he had a tail, it’d be wagging everywhere from how overwhelmed he was with emotion

he trailed after her like a puppy, seeking her attention and touch as he mindlessly followed with wide sparkling eyes and a permanent blush

as he tried to continue their day as normal, izumi led him to you with a big grin as she placed him in front of you. he didn’t bother turning to look at you, his entire focus was on izumi like he was stuck in a daydream

it wasn’t until izumi said those words that changed the rest of his life that he snapped his eyes towards you

“—meet our new assistant director! they’re going to be your acting coach!”

and ever since then, masumi’s hated you

it didn’t take long before the spring troupe members confessed izumi used to be masumi’s daily acting coach after practice. now that you took over her position, you basically stole him away from her (meaning less time for masumi to try to win over his true love)

(truthfully, izumi was grateful you replaced her. it was mentally draining to have to reject every single advance from the lovesick teen without breaking his heart. she pulled you into a hug with a relieved exhale, thanking you for your service as you wondered what she meant by that. you found out very quickly afterwards)

masumi couldn’t have ditched extra practice or else he’d let izumi down. so, he stayed against his will, using every chance to silently express his complaints about spending his limited time with you instead of izumi

of course, you didn’t react. you wanted to make a good impression for your first official job as the mankai assistant director (thank god your high school had a connection to offer apprentinceships), knowing this was an opportunity of a lifetime to even be inside the theatre business

(yet, you were questioning if masumi was a test or not. was this a test to prove you were patient, respectful, and willing to adapt to different types of actors? there was no way this kid was this in love with a grown woman, he couldn’t have possibly been this infatuated with izumi to the point of desperation)

(he was)

a week or two into extended practice and you were already stretched thin. masumi never took off his goddamn headphones, his volume on max with rock music damaging his eardrums as he barely paid attention to you. just nodded whenever you attempted to reprimand him, he didn’t care at all as he treated you with no respect

you were tempted to snatch his headset off and make him actually do something. you stood across from him in the practice room, his slouched posture completely not fitting the character he was portraying and his mumbled words the exact oppoosite of his performance whenever izumi was around

as he skimmed over his part and boredly stated the line in a monotonous attitude, you took a deep breath in and out with a forced smile

“masumi, perhaps you should emote more, with feeling.” you advised, your cheeks hurting from how strained your facial expressions were. masumi hummed, rolling his eyes as he turned the volume up higher (how was that even possible?)

“masumi, please pay attention.” you warned, an edge to your voice as masumi didn’t even acknowledge you. he glanced towards the door, as if hoping izumi would come through, then at the clock with a very disappointed sigh

“masumi.” you said, clutching the script in your fist as you tried to not cross your arms. your patience was on thin ice, how long would his bratty and arrogant attitude hold? you exhaled sharply, trying to maintain your composure for the sake of your internship

he didn’t respond. he yawned and stretched, as if he had just woken up. was masumi spaced out this entire time? you went to open your mouth and ask about his well–being (perhaps, you were being too critical of him. you were also a high school student, he must’ve been pressured in class), but before you could speak, he turned away with a curse

“shut up already, you’re so fake.” masumi mumbled, about to push his headphones over his ears completely but you threw the script onto the floor, startling him as it was your turn to glare at him

“usui masumi!” you shouted with disappointment, not believing your ears. why were his first words to you an insult? you wanted to go back to the stage of your relationship where he didn’t speak at all

masumi stared at you with an impatient look, as if he was waiting for you to get it over with already

“you want the truth, then? well, here it is!”

before you could stop yourself, you released all the anger you bottled up ever since you worked with him in a singular sentence

“izumi doesn’t love you, she never did and she never will, so give up already.”

this was the first time masumi even reacted to your words. his eyes widened, his hands frozen hovering above his headphones and his breath hitched in his throat. you instantly knew what you said was out of line, and when you tried to apologize, masumi sprinted out of the practice room rubbing at his eyes

the door slammed close, echoing in the corridor as you released a breath you weren’t aware you were holding. what could you do now? practice was over early, apparently

you were waiting for it to come, you knew you were being fired. you anxiously paced the floor, checking your phone multiple times to see if a notification with your resignation was arriving. it never did, even throughout the night, as you arrived to the mankai dorms with the weight of your outburst on your shoulders

as usual, you greeted the other troupes with respect despite being around the same age as them. in terms of their careers, they were leaps and bounds and years ahead of you and you made sure they knew that. they responded back friendly enough, offering sympathy most times whenever it was time to work with masumi

this time, the dorms were awkwardly quiet. it looked as if everyone was wary, looking out for something, on edge as they quietly moved around and tip–toed outside a certain door. members shushed each other with a hiss whenever a cabinet door slammed shut, or a bowl clattered against the table surface too long. it was an organized plan to not die, apparently

“what’s—” you started but were immediately silenced by a few pushing their pointer fingers to their lips with a warning expression. you bowed slightly as an apology and lowered your voice, glancing around you for the threat

“what’s wrong?” you whispered and everyone didn’t hesitate to point to masumi’s dorm room door. you learned that, to your surprise, masumi refused to leave his dorm and didn’t even let izumi in (you also found out he didn’t tell anyone what had happened between you two and your lack of professionalism)

you guessed this was going to be your apology then for not making you lose your job on the first day

when you straightened your back and confidently made your way to masumi’s door, the hushed warnings and pleas not to perish right then and there faded when you rapidly knocked on the surface with a stubborn intent to your actions

“masumi, it’s time for practice.” you called through the door, able to pick up on the vibrations of the music he was blasting through a speaker. no response, as expected of the drama queen (he was a teenager, after all)

“masumi, come outside or i’m making you.” you demanded, knowing he heard you when the volume was lowered a bar. it was instantly increased to the max, making most of the boys wince and cover their ears as the floor beneath them shook. you knew what this was: a challenge

scrolling through your albums, you found it and pressed play

without warning, masumi whipped his head towards his door as he heard something other than his own music

were you... were you playing the latest single of his favorite band?

you pressed your phone speaker below the door frame, letting it pass through the crack as he slowly turned down his own volume, staring at where the sound was coming from

after more than half the song, you breathed a sigh of relief when his door finally opened. masumi stood in front of you, his headphones pushed down to his neck, as he observed you (it was like he was really seeing you for the first time)

“you...” masumi paused, unsure how to continue. the song was winding down and fading out, coming to an end as he blankly stared at you. you fidgeted under his stare gazing through your soul, wondering if you had gone too far before—

“you know my favorite band?”

you blinked in surprise, as if you were expecting literally any other accusation but that. you nervously laughed, rubbing the back of your neck as you looked anywhere but at him. was it weird to admit that?

“y–yeah, of course. you play them all the time, so i assumed. i took a listen, they’re not bad.” you rambled, about to continue before masumi bent down to grab your smartphone. he held it out to you, which you took as he glanced at you up and down. was that, an impressed look to his face?

“of course they’re ‘not bad’. i listen to them.” masumi said, taking his script and leaving in the direction of the practice room without another word. you scrambled after him, attempting to keep up (you were usually the one dragging him to go)

masumi tried not to think about it too hard, but he did anyways

izumi didn’t even know what type of music he liked, but you did

it was during that fateful practice where masumi actually made an effort to try, and it’s like the fight from yesterday didn’t even happen

mankai couldn’t believe it—you actually managed to coax masumi out of his toxic mood swings. even izumi had a hard time processing it, confirming her gut feeling that she hired you for a reason

your hours with him increased, coincidentally enough

ever since then, you began learning more and more about who masumi truly was. any other person would’ve dismissed him as problematic for his borderline–creepy attraction to izumi, but past that, you realized there was a deepy rooted traumatic reason why masumi sought love from a select few

masumi was more than his love at first sight crush on izumi. you learned through his short, slightly rude responses, that his parents were absent from his life. when you put two and two together, it was obvious his guardians abroad didn’t give him the approval he needed as a child

(you made an effort to praise him more, genuinely complimenting his talents and encouraging him to do even better. you never noticed, but masumi’s face burned from being appreciated for once)

yet, you weren’t afraid to discipline him. you knew uninvolved parents meant a lack of authority in his life, resulting in his indifferent approach to everything. in a way, your ability to keep a level head but still reprimand him when necessary kept practice productive and functional (you learned being honest didn’t hurt his feelings one bit)

your relationship with masumi bloomed to be more than two aspiring actors. if you were lucky enough, you would even consider him a friend

he liked checking out new physical music releases in the form of cds and had a huge collection of post/progressive rock organized on his desk. when you gave him a mixtape of your favorites to share your music taste, you noticed it was closest to his player

(one time, izumi was worried about him. it had been quite some time since the last time masumi tried flirting with her. she was about to walk into his room before izumi noticed it was left open a crack. she looked in and saw masumi was lying in bed, staring at nothing with a small smile on his face as he listened to an unfamiliar song. it was your cd on repeat)

after school, you and masumi often rode the train back home if the mood called for it. he always leaned against the doors, staring out of the blurry windows with his headphones on and seemingly thinking of everything at once (probably izumi, considering how many times he subconsciously smiled to himself)

you sat beside him, focused on your apprentinceship work and staying on top of all your tasks. it was pretty much a quiet ride home, your friendship with masumi didn’t require talking to fill the silence. the comfortable gap between you two was expected, just two people co–existing with one another

except this time, it was different

you opened your laptop, about to start working before you glanced at masumi and stopped. he didn’t have his classic white headphones on, he always had them

before you could offer your own, masumi turned towards you, holding out one earbud with the other in his left ear

when you took it and placed it on your own ear, masumi slid over to sit closer and the casual distance suddenly closed. he shuffled through some playlist, he liked making them even if he did it rarely

masumi turned his head to look at you, and he seemed to be quietly asking what your opinion was on the track

(how much time had you spent with him that you had familiarized yourself with his complex body language?)

you closed your laptop and put it back in your bag. scooting closer, your legs were touching as you leaned over to read the title, humming a sound of agreement

“this is one of my favorites.” you confirmed, moving back only to realize how close your faces were. one wrong move and—

“me too.” masumi said, and he smiled

you wondered where you had seen that smile for and remembered: it was the smile he had given izumi every time he saw her in the morning

could it be?

you two listened to the music for the rest of the train ride, feeling as if you were trapped in a timeless space as no rules applied here. it was like your own little world, with masumi by your side and the background soundtrack of all your favorites

(misumi remembered your favorites, too. at the departure, you noticed he had messaged you a link. it was to the playlist he played earlier and a comment: thanks for the mixtape)

you two headed to the dorms, hands brushing and no words exchanged, like always. you weren’t aware how close you had become with the boy in love until now, especially with a singular cord keeping you two together

yet, it was as if nothing changed. when masumi saw izumi, he became the character everyone thought he was: a lovesick teenager in an unrequited relationship. he left you and sought izumi’s nonstop approval, his earbud pulled out of your ear as you watched

why was he such a different person around her? which version was his true self? and why did you want to know so bad?

(maybe, you wanted to be the one who knew masumi inside and out)

after that, you asked to ride the train home more. it was one of the only times you had him for yourself

sharing music became a way of communication over talking. you could predict masumi’s mood based on what he was listening to, and you always knew what to do when it came down to it. if masumi had something to express without his usual bitterness, he’d send a song and wait for you to listen it in full just to be understood. sometimes, his playlists even spelled out sentences

your relationship with masumi was mutual, and that was a first for him. he didn’t feel like he had to spend every second with you to confirm your friendship. he sometimes saw you irregularly throughout the day, but enjoyed it regardless

what was different was you made an effort to see him, you showed up to practice early with new song suggestions and plans to attend more music concerts. you included him, didn’t let him off easy, and had high expectations without being like his parents

no one wanted him around like you did, he had never felt this before. was this what it was like? being loved?

as you guys kept walking home with his earbuds connected, masumi was fully aware of how he wanted to hold your hand

“what is it?” masumi began, pushing his hand in his pant pocket to keep his voice steady. “love?”

you stopped, causing him to pause with you as he felt the tug of the cord. masumi turned towards you, the lyrics still played in the background as the instruments continued. a verse passed before you answered slowly, as if you were unsure and contemplative yourself

“love... love is what you feel. it isn’t defined, but it’s what you have for something that makes you happy, that motivates you to do your best.”

masumi didn’t seem to understand, so you explained further

“like, doesn’t music make you happy?”

masumi nodded

“then you love music!”

masumi seemed to understand as you two kept walking. but, masumi was even more confused, because didn’t that mean he loved you? you made him happy, you were his source of motivation

“then do you love me?”

you didn’t stop this time, but walked faster as you fell out of step with masumi. a new song was playing, but you couldn’t hear it over your own heartbeat

“don’t ask things like that, especially when you love izumi.” you laughed, but there was no humor whatsoever. masumi didn’t say anything else and the silence returned, it wasn’t as comfortable anymore

when you two walked through the front door, masumi hesitated. wasn’t this the point where he quickly latched onto izumi’s side? why did he want to stay with you? masumi glanced at you and before he could say anything, you gave him back your earbud and left to do your job

izumi waved at him, and masumi followed. for some reason, he questioned if izumi had ever heard his music before

(he realized, he never made a playlist for her)

it was nearing the end of your shift, you had blocked out your thoughts with the masumi method: maxing out your headphone volume as you revised masumi’s lines and corrections for next practice

your phone pinged, making you flinch at the sudden sound as you pushed the papers to the side. you sat with your chin on your knees, leaning against the practice room mirror as you lazily grabbed your phone, unlocking it to see a new text from masumi

it was another playlist titled “you make me happy, you motivate me”

you opened it and was about to press play before you noticed there was only one song

“i love you”

#usui masumi #masumi usui #a3! act! addict! actors!#a3!#act! addict! actors!#a3! actor training game #a3! headcanons #act! addict! actors! headcanons #mankai a3!#mankai company #a3! x reader #a3 x reader #masumi x reader #a3! masumi #a3 masumi

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likesomekindofcheese · 5 years

Text

At the Opera (Part one)

Pairing: Brian May x F! Singer! Reader.

Fluff! Lot’s of fluff! A bit of angst!

Word Count: 2,000

Content warning: swearing, mentions of boners, Reader and Brian being twice shy, nervous little beans

Context: Brian see’s you make your first big opera debut at school. He falls immediately in love with you. He’s scared of seeming like a creeper, though, and hopes he doesn’t...Switches between his perspective and yours.

Note: I am so excited about this fic I can’t stand it!!!!

First off, I imagine this takes place in the early seventies after Queen I or Queen II and before A Night at the Opera (heh) is released. Secondly, though is written to identify as female, use she/her pronouns, an opera singer, a student, and a soprano, if requested, I can make and send a different version to you. Maybe a reader who is in a musical! Or a straight play! Or is singing a mezzo role! Or a male reader! (etc.). Message me ASAP and I will message a version to you! with your desired version! A second part will be up in time and will probably stop there unless another idea comes. Enjoy and please leave feedback!

Brian had absolutely nothing else to do on a Friday evening except go by himself to an opera by a local University. It was a night where nothing was happening. No work. No papers to grade. No rehearsal. Nothing planned between the band members or his friend. He had those nights before. He was unusually restless. Instead of dwelling in his loneliness he thought he might as well go out. Get his mind from any sadness. And something a little different then heavy drums would be appreciated.

He looked down at the program once he got his seat. “Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi.” According to the summary in his encyclopedia it was only an hour long. If he didn’t like it, it would be over in a wink. After all, when he visited Freddie’s place once he noticed a record of it standing on top of a pile. If it was good enough for Freddie, then it was worth the ticket.

(You)

“Five minutes until the top!”

“Thank you, five!”

You stay still. You don’t really feel like talking to the other cast members. You smooth some of the white skirt and pray that the food crumble from the pre-performance snack doesn’t show. You were nervous. Tonight you were singing Lauretta in Schicchi for the first time- Lauretta! All of the sopranos in the school who it could have been and it was you! It didn’t matter that it was not one of the mainstage operas put on with a budget of millions and the biggest stage offered. It was one of your first major roles and you were doing everything you could not to burst. You had barely slept last night from the anticipation and the toll of exhaustion mixed with excitement were bubbling.

Any wishes of good luck from the cast and crew were forgotten.

“What if the high c’s at the end sound like crap because I was stupid enough not to be able to sleep last night and what…”

“Places for top!”

You took a deep breath, listened to the slow beginning of the overture, and did your best to focus on the story and telling it.

You could still smell the hairspray from your curled hair. The director asked for a more “natural” look to contrast Lauretta from the more exaggerated commedia-esque stock characters and yet it took you longer to do your hair and make-up because your hands were shaking so bad. You wanted to look like the flawless ingenue, but you felt briefly that you were just a toad in lipstick. How could anyone onstage believe you?

It was a while before you entered. Yet you stayed backstage, focusing on the meaning of every last note and word. The singer playing your onstage father, the titular Schicchi, walked up to prepare for your first entrance. You both didn’t appear until twenty minutes in, but it was getting close.

He smiled and winked at you and then went into character with his smart, cynical frown. You took my place next to him, held the skirt of your white medieval gown as demurely as you could muster, and prepared for the sound cue to enter.

Once you entered, you carried on, just like in rehearsal. Reacting in the moment and singing with the clearest Italian you could and with as much focus on breath as possible. At one point, when Rinuccio, your onstage lover, held your hands, you both began to wail beautifully about how you both could not be married on May Day. You indulged a look away from the conductor to the audience.

It was a smaller theatre-actually the smallest theatre on the campus that could still allow a piano and a string quartet. Plenty of old couples, college girls with long hair and red lips, and close to the middle, there was a very tall, thin, young man with a lion’s mane of curly, brown hair. Ironically, he seemed to be more into the opera than anyone else.

You were back in a second to the opera. You heard Schicchi’s “Non! Non! Non!”

Naturally, you begin singing your aria, “O mio babbio caro...”

(Bri)

Though Brian was delighted by the opera by the first note and laughing at the onstage family’s antics and allowing the music to charm him.

Then you entered onstage.

“Her eyes are so pretty and expressive…and she’s so small, she’s like a baby bird, oh, if only she was a little bird or even a cat I could hold in my hands for just a minute and her hair seems so soft, and, oh…that smile, oh she’s smiling, that fucking smile, she’s so beautiful and adorable, oh hell, oh hell. Oh fuck, and that voice, oh fuck, that voice. It’s so gorgeous and warm and genuine, oh, I’m so sorry Fred, but oh fuck, that voice, if only she could look at me, please look at me, please look at me and sing for me, just one word, please”

You crossed to a man - who was supposed to be her lover. Brian suddenly felt his stomach drop and his face twist to a frown.

“You git, it’s make believe. They aren’t together in real life...I hope they aren’t

He tried to peel his eyes away to another cast member to see what else they would do onstage that would amuse him. But he kept finding he was stealing quick glances.

When you began your aria, he felt tears well up in his eyes. It was so sweet sounding.

“O mio babbino caro! Mi piace, e bello, bello!”

He looked down at the translation program:

“Oh my dear papa! He pleases me, he is handsome!”

Brian had a sudden wish he was that boy. He felt the tears fall once he heard of Lauretta’s wish to die if she could not marry him.

“No , no, not you, the boy…”

(You)

You finished the aria. Looking into the audience, You were shocked to see a standing ovation.

Well, that is, one standing ovation. From the tall man with curly hair. And he was applauding like his life depended on it. A few others decided to follow suit and stood up to applaud and cheer. You did your best not to smile. Then once it had died down, Schicchi continued with his line- “Datemi il testamento!”

(Bri)

Brian sat down. He was flushed with embarrassment. How could he have been so…so much? But it was just so wonderful.

He was sighing once Schicchi sent Lauretta away and you left the stage.

He kept staring at the space where she left. He liked the plot of the opera well enough, but he felt himself leaning forward in his seat with impatience.

Once you appeared onstage for the last duet of triumph with Rinuccio, He was wondering if that man realized how lucky he was.

“I would wrap my arms around her l. I would hold her so tight that she would know she is safe, and everything is alright, now. I would look into those eyes looking up at me, I would pull her in, and then I would lean down so I can reach her lips and kiss…”

He pinched his own hand. “Focus, focus, the story is ending…wait…oh god, what if I have a stiffy! Shit! Shitshitshithshitshit!”

He looked down at his pants. Nothing was showing…that was obvious, at least. He had stopped himself before letting his fantasies go further. Still, he undid two buckles on his belt, just to be safe.

He looked down at the program, flipping to the cast list on the second page.

“Lauretta…(Y/F/N Y/L/N)”

(You)

The cast and crew gathered in the lobby for everyone to say their congratulations. You felt a ping of sadness that your family and friends could not make it. The most they could do was send some flowers, dangling in your arms.

You saw him stand a little in the corner, awkardly. He seemed very quiet. You glanced up at him and felt him glance up at you and your eyes shot back down. Then you looked back up and saw him look down. He was definitely close to your age.

Finally, you locked eyes for a bit. He swiftly walked to you and the flowers trembled in your arms. You wanted to run behind the stage door and slam it shut, yet at the same time you didn’t.

He walked up and said “Hi, I’m Brian, Brian May.”

“Hi Brian, I’m Y/N.”

Is someone actually approaching me???? And starting the conversation??

“ I just wanted to let you know, you were astounding. Your song was my favorite part…and this was my first opera!” Brian said

“Oh wow! Schicchi’s a great first opera.” you say, swallowing. “It’s a comedy, after all, and most people don’t think of opera’ as funny.”

“I loved it! I laughed so much! How do you keep from laughing onstage?”

“I breathe really slowly and focus, Brian.” You dropped his name and froze.

Wow, I must seem forward. But I don’t want to forget it...

“That’s wonderful, and the music is just, just incredible! What is it like to sing it?” he asked.

Your brain began to spiral from your shyness and desperation to seem confident.

“It’s very…it’s, I don’t know, it’s intimidating. My voice is rather small for Puccini, he likes bigger voices, so I was really nervous doing this role. My legs were shaking all the time onstage.”

It struck you how handsome Brian really was. His height and hair made him seem intimidating, but his smile and eyes were soft, nonthreatening. His hair framed his cheekbones in a way that made him beautiful, in his own way. And when he reached his hands out and stretched out his fingers, they moved as fluidly as a dancers. His speaking was gentle, almost quiet, but clear. Like a kindly fairy prince.

“I couldn’t tell!” he said. He added a smile that made you feel like you were hit by a train.

“It’s the dress! Really! Our costume people were geniuses” you say.

You began feeling self-conscious-didn’t want to appear weird or snobby or ugly to him.

“But you seemed so…so calm and confident. I’m a musician, but uhm…I’m not a classical musician, you could say. But my friend loves opera, so I decided to try it. So I know what it’s like to be nervous about how you do, you were incredible.” Brian adds, folding his arms.

“A musician! Do you play anything or sing!?” You say, it would be polite to steer the conversation towards him.

“Both…uhm…” he crawled in a little “I do sing, and there’s a lot I play, but the guitar is my favorite.”

Guitars, guitars, what can I say to him that would be interesting about guitars?

“I…I like guitars. It’s such a soothing sound.”

Brilliant, you idiot girl

“Do you play?” you add, hoping for a save.

He just said he played, crap, he’s gonna laugh at me.

“Er, yes, yes I do!” He smiled genuinely

“I play in a band, and I do lots but usually it’s electric guitar. Is there any instrument you play, Y/N?”

“I struggle with piano. I love the sound, but I don’t know how to really play it. Most of the time, I pluck out melodies. It’s partly how I learned this role.” you say. Your face got hot and you felt red as an apple.

“I could maybe…”

There were some clicks, the lights in the back were going out. People were clearing out of the lobby.

“Well, it’s closing…we have another performance tomorrow.” you add on.

“Any others?” Brian asked. He began to stroke his chin in fascination.

“No, just two… You could tell your friends about it.” You said,

“I will” Brian said.

“Same time, same place.” You remind him, feeling a tiny, shy grin on your face.

There was a little pause.

“Thank you for talking with me, Brian, it means a lot, since it’s my first big role” you blurt quickly. You didn’t want to get locked out of the theater by accident.

“I enjoyed tonight a lot, Y/N...”

“Goodbye, Brian.”

Goodbye Y/N.”

You turned around and walked out. You realized you were the last to turn in your costume, change, and leave the theater. You were happy with how you sang, but you felt sad. You wished you could see that kind, handsome man again...Maybe you never would.

(Bri)

Brian couldn’t go to sleep and kept tossing and turning in his bed.

Just one more performance…

He had to go. But he was… was frightened. You were so beautiful and caring that he didn’t know if he could survive a second meeting without exploding from nerves. You would think he was a creep and the thought of it made him nauseous. He couldn’t go.

At least, not alone.

There was rehearsal tomorrow. He could leave a little early and still arrive to the theater on time. There was enough time to talk one of them, at least, to go...

Deacy would shy away. He would be too worried and his worry would pile onto Brian’s worry until they were a mess.

Roger?

- rather be shot than go to an opera.

Besides, Roger would guess the real reason Brian wanted to go. The thought of Roger wolf-whistling at you during your aria made him want to crawl under a rock.

That left only one member of the band, then. The one that could help him.

And naturally, the opera fan among them.

#queen #queen fanfiction #brian may x reader #brian may x you #brain may #freddie mercury #brian may fluff #bohemian rhapsody #bohemian rhapsody movie #classic rock #reader fanficiton #brian may x female reader #queen fluff #all queue wanna do #brian may fic

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aelixandra · 6 years

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Dreaming On Your Feet: Chapter 24

Read on Ao3!

Summary: Aelin Galathynius is one of the newest company members of the Rifthold Ballet Theatre, and she is eager to make all of her dreams a reality. She has the talent, the ambition, the walls no one can get past, and the thick skin that no one can get under. Except for new principal dancer Rowan Whitethorn. He’s arrogant, talented, and infuriating - and they just might have more in common than they think.

Previous Chapter / Next Chapter

Chapter 24: Another First Day

Rowan had gotten to the studio extra early today. It was the first day back for the company, as well as the first day of Romeo and Juliet rehearsals, so he wanted to make sure he was warmed up and focused.

Romeo.

He was a little nervous, to be honest. He had gotten the cast list emailed to him, but there was one thing noticeable absent.

Any Juliet.

There was a follow-up email from Eudora explaining that they wanted the production to be a real experience for both the audience and the cast – which meant he wouldn’t know who Juliet was until he saw her in the ballroom scene.

Rowan closed his eyes and took a deep breath. There would be plenty of time to worry later.

He worked through some slow stretches, gradually easing into some push-ups and ab work. When he was warm enough to stretch into his splits, he pulled out a pen . . . along with the journal Aelin had gotten him for Christmas.

He smiled to himself and began to write.

----------

Aelin couldn’t help the little leap of her heart when she looked into the studio window.

His back to her, Rowan was stretching his center split, leaning forward – and writing in her journal.

She had seen him a few more times since Christmas, including on New Year’s Eve. The same group from Christmas had a little party, and Aelin had spectacularly failed to stay up until midnight, instead falling asleep on the couch – with Rowan’s arm around her.

What if I had stayed up?

No. This was no time for what-ifs.

Aelin opened the studio door silently, making sure it made no noise behind her. She glided over to the spot at the barre next to him –

And promptly dropped her bag on the floor.

Rowan swore under his breath and slammed the journal shut before turning to see her standing over him, his eyes wide.

Aelin laughed.

Rowan exhaled and sat up from his stretch, joining in her laughter. “Gods, Aelin, you scared me!”

“No, the noise did. I don’t think I really scare you,” she replied.

“You do – have the ability to be rather scary, you know.” She noted his change in words, and she immediately wondered what he was going to say first.

“Oh, I know,” she said flippantly. “But look who’s talking.” He laughed again, and her chest swelled at the sound. She gestured to the spot at the barre. “Is this spot taken?”

His eyes softened. “Only by you, Fireheart.”

She felt herself blush as she sat down next to him and rummaged through her bag, pulling out a lacrosse ball she used to roll out. She set it under her calf and gently rolled it around, keeping her foot relaxed. When she switched to the other side, she dared a sideways glance at Rowan – who was looking right back at her as he lay on the floor, one knee to his chest.

Gods above, why do his eyes always do this to me?

She held his gaze as she finished rolling her calves, daring him to look away first –

Instead, she hit a tight spot on her calf and inhaled sharply, snapping her head to the painful spot. Son of a –

Rowan’s hand gently covered her own. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” she grimaced. “I just did a few too many calf strengtheners a couple days ago.”

“Ballet class isn’t enough of a calf strengthener?” She heard the amusement in his voice.

She kept her focus on the muscle. “I want to be the best I can be,” she said quietly. “I want to – I need to be strong.”

His fingers gently squeezed hers. “You already are, Aelin,” he replied. She turned her gaze to him then, finding warmth and affection in his green eyes. “But remember that you don’t have to be strong alone.”

She swallowed the emotion that rose in her throat. She shifted her hand under his, causing their fingers to thread together. “Neither do you.”

----------

Rowan studied their hands, memorizing the shape of her long fingers and the way they felt in his. There had been a shift between them, and he knew Aelin was aware of it, too. He didn’t know what to call it.

In a corner of his heart, he knew the truth: he was afraid to call it anything.

Giving a name to something intangible made it real. It also made it something to lose.

So he took whatever pieces she gave him, and he gave her pieces of himself in return.

So this thing between them, whatever it was . . . he cherished it.

Suddenly, the door to the studio opened, and in walked Dorian, Aedion, and Lysandra. “Welcome back!” Dorian exclaimed. “Let’s get to work!”

Aelin sighed. “Well, there goes our peaceful morning, huh?” she said to Rowan.

He shrugged. “Oh, it was going to happen sometime,” he replied, giving her hand one last squeeze before letting go to roll into another stretch.

Dancers began to file into the studio, giving each other welcome-back hugs and chatting excitedly about the first day of rehearsals. After a while, Eudora herself came in, followed by Manon and her bag of music.

Eudora clapped her hands, calling them to attention. “Good morning, dancers! Welcome back!”

Rowan pushed himself to his feet as Eudora continued to talk. Aelin looked over her shoulder at him and winked.

He had given up telling his heart to stop flipping around her back on Christmas.

Besides, to get through a beast of a ballet like Romeo and Juliet?

He was going to need all the support he could get.

----------

Aelin entered the studio quickly and quietly. It was her first official rehearsal as Juliet, having rehearsed the first town square scene for the past hour and a half. Eudora had told her to learn the harlot choreography, after all.

And sure enough, she had been paired with Rowan.

Aedion had been with Lysandra, and Dorian with a soloist named Sorscha, who was an old friend of his. Of course, no one knew who anyone was actually playing.

But if she had to spend an hour and a half dancing flirtatiously with Rowan. . .

Well, she didn’t exactly mind it.

She smiled to herself as she lowered the blinds on the studio door window, another thing Eudora had insisted on. “No one must know anyone else,” she had said.

“Hey there, Juliet,” came a familiar voice.

Aelin smiled for a completely different reason as she turned around, seeing Chaol making his way over to her.

“Lord Paris, I presume?”

He grinned. “At your service, milady,” he said with a sweeping bow.

Aelin laughed and hugged him tightly. “We’re going to dance together again,” she whispered, her throat suddenly tight with emotion. He hadn’t even been sure he would walk again, and now . . . now he was here.

Chaol pulled back to meet her gaze, emotion plain on his face. It soon shifted to a grin. “So let’s get started, shall we?”

Aelin nodded as he walked over to the CD player.

It was finally happening.

Let’s do this, Juliet.

* * *

“So then after the repeat of the first section –”

“The attitude into arabesque one, because –”

“– because the repeat reverses the order, right.”

“After that, I kneel and try to take your hands, but then –”

“Then . . . I turn and see Romeo.”

Chaol turned his head to her. “How do you feel about that? About . . . not knowing?”

Aelin sighed. “Honestly? I’m terrified.” She leaned her head back against the mirror. “I like the idea, because it brings the story to life for us dancers as opposed to just the audience for a change. But I worry about the technicalities about partnering with someone I’ve never rehearsed with.”

Chaol was silent for a moment, thinking. “I bet that’s exactly how Juliet feels,” he said finally.

“Huh.” Aelin regarded him for a moment. “What do you mean?”

“You’ve read the play, haven’t you?”

“You know it’s one of my favorites.”

“Okay, that was a dumb question,” Chaol chuckled. “But think about it. When Juliet’s parents bring Paris to her, they’re asking her to give romantic consideration to someone she’s never met. They’re asking her to partner with someone she’s never rehearsed with. You and I are rehearsing because this marriage to Paris is planned. She’s prepared her whole life for an arranged marriage.” His lips twitched into a small smile. “But then she meets Romeo.”

Aelin was silent, letting his words sink in. It made complete sense, when he put it that way. “And that whole planned future goes out the window,” she thought out loud. “She doesn’t need to rehearse anything with Romeo. When she’s with him, it just . . . is.” She looked back up at the ceiling, feeling the rise of goosebumps on her arms. “Wow,” she said with a long exhale.

The window she needed into Juliet’s character was the very situation she was in.

She closed her eyes. And when she opened them again, she let some of the worry go.

“Yeah. Wow is right,” Chaol replied. “Shakespeare knew what he was doing.”

“Do you think he had any idea that Romeo and Juliet would be a ballet one day?” Aelin asked.

“I doubt it,” Chaol said, putting a hand on her shoulder lightly. “But if he did, I think he’d be proud to call you his Juliet.”

----------

“Are we in the right place?”

Rowan looked up from where he lay on the floor stretching. Entering the studio were none other than Dorian and Aedion.

He felt a wave of relief and excitement wash over him as he realized what that meant: he would be sharing the stage with his friends.

“By my troth, that must be Romeo Montague,” Aedion said in his best dramatic voice, elbowing Dorian.

Dorian laughed. “Anon, gentle coz,” he replied just as dramatically.

Aedion looked at him with bewilderment. “Coz?”

“Have you ever read Shakespeare, Aedion?” Dorian asked.

“Have you ever read at all?” Rowan joined in the teasing.

Aedion barked a laugh. “Gods above, am I glad to see you both.”

“So . . .” Rowan began slowly. “Who’s who?”

“You mean who’s Mercutio and who’s Benvolio?” Dorian grinned. “The answer’s yes.”

“What do you mean?”

Aedion slung an arm around Dorian’s shoulder. “It means that both Dorian and I are switching between the roles of Benvolio and Mercutio.”

Rowan thought for a moment. “So basically the same choreography, but completely different characters. That’s a fun little artistic challenge, huh?”

Dorian nodded, setting his bag down by the mirrors. “This whole ballet a challenge already, Whitethorn,” he said. “Three acts of ballet and swordfighting. It’s a beast.”

Aedion grinned. “Well, gentlemen,” he said, opening up his laptop to something that looked like choreographic notation, “we might as well start slaying it now.”

#dreaming on your feet #rowaelin #rowan #aelin #fanfic #sarah j maas #this is what happens when you're a ballet dancer who loves ToG #ballet #writer #alternate universe #au #romeo and juliet #chaol #dorian #aedion #mercutio #benvolio #romeo #juliet

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my-lazy-genius · 6 years

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“I don’t want to call you stupid, but…” “Just say it.” “I’m gonna need you to never leave your room again” Jeremy Heere/Michael Mell

Send me a request!

Title: So In Hindsight Maybe I Really Don’t Know Anything About Cartoon Voice Actors?Fandom: Be More Chill :: Boyf riendsRequested by: @ilossayaPrompt: “I don’t want to call you stupid, but…” “Just say it.” “I’m gonna need you to never leave your room again” from putthepromptsonpaper

“Michael,” Jeremy starts, eyeing his friend, “how high are you?”

“Uh,” Michael pauses, “I dunno. 5’11”, last I checked.”

Jeremy just sighs and picks up his controller again. “I can’t believe we’re still stuck on the cafetorium.”

“M’sorry about Christine,” Michael mumbles, fingers twisting over his controller.

Jeremy watches his character, Player 2, flicker and fall to the zombies.

“It’s okay.”

–

Life more or less returns to normal. Jeremy and Christine stay friends. Sometimes, watching her during play rehearsals, he thinks that maybe he can see why he liked her so much. Other times, he watches her as she interacts with Jake and Brooke and Chloe and Rich and anybody else and he knows they’re better off this way.

In their relationship, they’d both been a match - blazed too strongly and burned out. The breakup had been mutual; soft, apologetic smiles and understanding eyes. He’s grateful to still be her friend. Christine is bright, like a beacon, and her unrelenting happiness is a nice change from his self-deprecating days.

But always, Michael is there.

Without fail, his best friend is there when he needs him. Jeremy knows they both have plenty of issues - like a massive amount of issues - but Michael is his pillar of strength, even when they’re both reduced to playing video games in silence or just tucked up under a blanket. Jeremy doesn’t ever tell Michael how much he appreciates him - and he knows he should, but he’s just never seen the chance. Michael, on the other hand, always seems to find the right time to inform Jeremy how much he appreciates his friendship.

He’s gotten better about it, but Jeremy still isn’t sure how people are so open.

–

“Slushie?” Michael offers. “I think the girl at 7-Eleven was flirting with me. I got a second slushie for free.”

Jeremy takes it. It’s his favorite flavor, sure enough.

“I think any girl would be lucky to have someone like you, Michael,” he says.

Michael pulls his headphones up. “You think?” He asks, but doesn’t meet Jeremy’s eyes.

“Definitely,” Jeremy says, but he knows Michael isn’t listening anymore.

–

“Michael is in the crowd,” Christine tells him, when she ducks backstage, “on the third row, middle section. Sixth seat, I think. I didn’t have a chance to really count.”

“He came to see the play again?”

Jeremy doesn’t know why he’s surprised anymore. Michael has come to every performance since the squip incident. He’s normally somewhere in the front, sipping contently on a Mountain Dew Red.

(“Just in case,” Michael tells him, one of such days, when he comes to congratulate Jeremy again.)

Christine gapes at him. “You’re… you’re joking, right? Jeremy, Michael is-”

“Let him figure it out himself, if he’s that dense about it,” Rich interrupts, slinking by in his boy scout costume to get back on for his scene with Chip and Barfée.

Christine sets her dictionary prop down and sighs. “You’re a Coneybear, alright.”

(After the musical, he finds Michael in the crowd. His friend beams and pushes through the people to meet him.

“I can’t believe you played a hippie child,” he laughs, “that didn’t know what a capybara was.”

“Thanks for coming,” Jeremy replies.

“Anything for you, dude.”)

–

“Fellas,” Michael starts, staring Jeremy down from where his friend stands across the cafeteria, talking to Christine, “is it gay to fantasize about being in a loving relationship with your best friend of sixteen years?”

“Of cou-” Chloe starts, but Brooke and Rich both slaps their hands over Chloe’s mouth with an audible clap.

She yelps behind four palms.

“Nope,” Brooke says, “not at all.”

–

“He really cares about you, Jeremy.”

Jeremy looks up at his dad’s voice and follows his gaze to where Michael is out cold on their couch, arm slung over his face and one leg hooked over the back. Jeremy is sitting nearby, playing a boring game on his phone. Michael had shown up sometime this morning, let himself in, and passed out on the couch. He has yet to wake, and Jeremy isn’t going to bother him.

“I mean, he’s been my best friend for what? Sixteen or seventeen years?” Jeremy lifts an eyebrow. “I’d hope he cares about me. I know I care about him.”

“No, I mean-”

“Aw, you care about me?” Michael’s cooing voice interrupts, and Jeremy jumps, whirling to gape at the boy.

“Have you been awake this whole time?”

Michael grins from beneath his arm. “I might have been.”

Jeremy reaches over and smacks him in the gut so hard that Michael falls off of the couch and just laughs.

–

Christine is staring at him incredulously.

Jeremy can’t figure out why. So what if he just figured out that his feelings for Michael are certainly more than friendly?

“Jeremy Heere,” Christine drags out his name, “Michael is very gay for you.”

“Oh,” says Jeremy, and he promptly gets up and marches out.

–

“Hey, Michael?” Jeremy asks, from his spot on the swings.

It’s been years since they last visited this park - Michael had been driving Jeremy back home when the latter had spotted it and convinced Michael to pull over. In the next swing over, Michael tugs his hood up - that same orange jacket he’s had for years, with the addition of new patches occasionally - and looks over.

“Yeah?”

“You know you’re my favorite person, right?”

For a moment, he thinks Michael might make a coy comment, like the first time he’d said the same during their junior year, but Michael merely blinks at him, dark eyes glittering in the streetlights.

He asks, “Including Christine?”

Jeremy laughs. “Including Christine.”

They spend the next hour swinging and talking of whatever comes to mind. Michael’s hood flies off and he laughs when Jeremy challenges him to see who can jump further. Nonetheless, he takes the dare. They end up jumping the same distance, and neither lands on his feet. Jeremy laughs, winded, and rolls over to use Michael’s outstretched arm as a pillow. It was preferable to the wood chips.

“Hey, Jer?”

“Yeah?”

“Remember that time I brought you a slushie and you told me any girl would be lucky to have me?”

“What about it?”

Michael turns his head to look at Jeremy. “I’m, uh.”

Jeremy pats his friend’s arm. “Gay. I know.”

“You- You know?” Michael looks confused, until he meets Jeremy’s gaze and sighs. “Christine. Of course. That girl can’t keep a secret to save her life.”

“S’okay,” Jeremy murmurs, catching his breath.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

Jeremy doesn’t move off of Michael’s arm. Michael doesn’t ask him to. His glasses came off, and Jeremy figures it happened when they hit the ground. There are wood chips in his dark hair and Jeremy reaches out one arm to pick a couple out.

“Hey, Michael?” He says again, but Michael’s attention is already on him, watching Jeremy with some unreadable expression.

“Yeah?” Michael asks.

“You know I love you, right?”

Michael hesitates. “As a friend?”

“No,” says Jeremy, “more.”

“Oh,” Michael replies.

“Yeah,” Jeremy closes his eyes, “oh.”

–

“Wait,” Jake looks vaguely annoyed, glancing between Michael and Jeremy, “what do you mean you just started dating?”

“Jeremy’s oblivious,” Christine replies, waving a dismissive hand.

“Omigod,” Jenna pokes her head between Chloe and Brooke’s shoulders, “you guys actually ended up getting together? Pay up, Chloe.”

Chloe glowers at the two, before she turns and puts ten dollars in Jenna and Brooke’s waiting hands. Jenna immediately pockets hers and goes back to texting, considerably more eager about it.

“That’s gay,” Rich comments, picking at his nails.

“You’re gay,” Brooke retorts.

“This is bi erasure,” Rich gasps dramatically, slamming his hands on the table so hard that the group halfway down jumps.

“Rich,” Christine asks, “remind me why you aren’t in theatre?”

Jeremy looks at Michael - really looks at him. He’s practically glowing, looking on in amusement at the group. His fingers, interlaced with Jeremy’s, tighten.

–

“God is real,” Michael breathes, staring at level clear screen.

“It only took a year to beat,” Jeremy laughs, “but we finally cleared it. I can’t breathe.”

Michael jumps up from his bean bag. “Jeremy, we did it!”

Jeremy tumbles backwards as Michael half flings himself into his arms. They’re both laughing, something between relief and joy and these - these are the moments Jeremy lives for.

–

“Oh,” Michael says.

Jeremy looks over from his spot on the couch. “What?”

Michael is sitting on the floor in front of the television, legs crossed and shuffling through Jeremy’s multitude of movies.

“I didn’t know Ellen voiced Dory,” Michael says.

Jeremy stares at him for a long time.

“Michael,” he finally starts, “You know- what, every anime voice actor ever? And I don’t want to call you stupid, but…”

Michael resigns himself to his inevitable fate. “Just say it.”

“I’m gonna need you to never leave your room again.”

#be more chill #boyf riends #michael mell #jeremy heere #my writing #writing ask meme #whatever asks

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qcasasrurales1 · 7 years

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Interviews and photos: Oklahoma City’s Jewel Box Theatre celebrating 60th season with classics, comedies and musicals

From left, Emma Poindexter, Michael James and Jacob Dever appear in a publicity photo for Jewel Box Theatre’s 2017-18 season opener "To Kill a Mockingbird." Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman

A version of this story appears in the Sunday Life section of The Oklahoman.

Celebrating six decades Jewel Box Theatre’s 60th anniversary season takes flight with ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’

For six decades, Jewel Box Theatre has kept its intimate stage bustling with classics and comedies, musicals and dramas.

“It’s great stories told really well. I think they do a good job with that,” said Ben Hall, a mainstay in the Oklahoma City theater community. “It’s great to see a theater that’s been around 60 years. That’s pretty impressive and pretty exciting. There are some folks that have gone on to pretty decent careers, and when you talk to almost all of them – whether it’s (professional actors) Jonathan Beck Reed or Stacey Logan or whomever – they’ve all got one or two Jewel Box stories in their pocket to tell.”

Sponsored by First Christian Church, the Jewel Box is the oldest continuously operating community theater in Oklahoma City.

“We are here for 60 years because of great audiences who are faithful and loyal, open to new ideas,” said Chuck Tweed, the Jewel Box’s longtime production director. “And we have a great, working board where every single member of that 22-member board actually does something, and I think that combination works.”

The theater is celebrating its 60th anniversary season with a couple of classic titles as well as four Jewel Box debuts that call to mind some of the most popular shows in its long history.

“Trying to put a season together of something that people are gonna want to see is obviously the bottom line,” said Tweed, adding that the First Christian Church’s decision to put its historic property up for sale isn’t expected to affect the theater in the immediate future.

“For the 60th, we are going to start with something new: some new actors. The theater has been around since before most of them were born. … It’s nice that after 60 years you’re moving along with new plays, with new actors.”

Jewel Box Theatre opens its 60th season with the classic "To Kill a Mockingbird" Aug. 17 through Sept. 10. Poster design by Jime Wimmer As part of its 2017-18 season, Jewel Box Theatre presents the venerable farce "Charley’s Aunt" March 1-25. Poster design by Jime Wimmer

Classic tales

The Jewel Box will open its 2017-18 season Aug. 17-Sept. 10 with the beloved American classic “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Hall will direct Christopher Sergel’s stage adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about an upstanding lawyer’s attempts to defend a wrongly accused black man.

Set in the 1930s in a fictional small town in Alabama, the Jewel Box will present the stage version that features Atticus’ grown-up daughter Jean Louise (AKA Scout) as the narrator, Tweed said.

“She starts it telling us a story of her past, and then the past comes to life. And then she comes in and out during the show to relay to them what’s going to happen and her memory of it,” Tweed said.

“It’s a classic. What a way to start the season. The name alone sells it. People know this story, and sometimes coming in to see a production that you already know … it’s like putting your feet in comfy slippers.”

Along with its iconic characters and story, Hall said “To Kill a Mockingbird” features themes that remain relevant.

“It’s nice to revisit a story that’s a great story, something that’ll hold up – like this is one. I think possibly now with the social-political conversations that people are having around the country, this might even be more pertinent than it has been at times in the intervening years,” Hall said. “The whole question of how do we see each other, how are people treated under the law, unconscious discrimination, those kinds of things are kind of in the public’s mind right now.”

In spring, Jewel Box will stage the venerable British comedy “Charley’s Aunt,” which was first produced at the Royalty Theatre in London on 1892. The OKC theater will mount Brandon Thomas’ madcap farce March 1-25 under the direction of Richard Lemin.

“Charley’s Aunt” centers on a pair of pals who invite their lady-loves and their families to meet a rich relative during her planned visit from Brazil. When the millionaire aunt cancels her travel plans at the last minute, the fellows persuade a schoolmate to disguise himself as Charley’s aunt so they can go ahead with the important introductions. Naturally, the real aunt turns up after all, and comedic chaos ensues.

“It’s an old, old classic,” Tweed said. “‘Some Like It Hot,’ ‘Charley’s Aunt,’ any of those shows where you have some cross-dressing going on, it’s always funny. … For some reason, a guy in a dress, it’s funny. One we did last year, ‘Leading Ladies,’ had guys who were looking for jobs and had to dress up as women because they were trying to get an inheritance. It’s just always funny.”

As part of its 60th season, Jewel Box Theatre performs the holiday musical revue "Plaid Tidings" Nov. 9 through Dec. 3. Poster design by Jime Wimmer As part of its 2017-18 season, Jewel Box Theatre performs the musical sequel "Nunsense II: The Second Coming" Jan. 18 to Feb. 11. Poster design by Jime Wimmer

Musical sequels

The theater will pay tribute to two of the most popular shows in its history by performing for the first time a pair of musical sequels: “Plaid Tidings,” planned for Nov. 9-Dec. 3 under the direction of Scott Hynes, and “Nunsense II: The Second Coming,” which Shawna Linck will direct Jan. 18-Feb. 11.

“We’re doing two musicals back-to-back, and that will be a first for us,” Tweed said. “Our audiences are just the best. They’re so receptive to everything, but we still wanted something familiar in there.”

Stuart Ross’ “Plaid Tidings” is the Christmas follow-up to the popular musical revue “Forever Plaid,” which pays nostalgic homage all-male vocal quartets of the 1950s and ’60s.

After returning from the afterlife to play a gig in “Forever Plaid,” the dearly departed Plaids — Francis, Jinx, Smudge, and Sparky – put on a second posthumous performance in “Plaid Tidings,” when a phone call from the heavenly Rosemary Clooney dispatches them to bring holiday harmony to a discordant world.

“For ‘Nunsense’ and for that show (‘Forever Plaid’), we’ve had as many as over 30 people on a waiting list for a night,” Tweed said. “‘Nunsense’ is the most-produced show we’ve ever done. Over the years we’ve done it like three times … for 125 performances. It always sells out. Seeing this ‘Nunsense’ title, they’re going to come in really ready.”

After putting on a musical fundraiser to bury their dearly departed fellow nuns in “Nunsense,” the Sisters of Hoboken are bitten by the acting bug and plan a thank-you show in Dan Goggin’s sequel.

As part of its 60th season, Jewel Box Theatre performs Michael McKeever’s comedy "Suite Surrender" Sept. 28 through Oct. 22. Poster design by Jime Wimmer As part of its 2017-18 season, Jewel Box Theatre presents the comedy "Always a Bridesmaid" April 12 through May 6. Poster design by Jime Wimmer

Favorite writers

Plus, Jewel Box will debut two uproarious titles from playwrights whose works have been big hits in recent years. Fans of the TV show “Feud: Bette and Joan” might be drawn to the door-slamming comedy “Suite Surrender,” by Michael McKeever, whose “37 Postcards” was a popular selection for the theater last season.

Set in 1942, “Suite Surrender”is about two feuding Hollywood divas who descend upon the luxurious Palm Beach Royale Hotel, only to be accidentally assigned the same room. Directed by Don Taylor, the Jewel Box premiere is set for Sept. 28-Oct. 22.

“Nothing gets anybody like a feud. Taylor Swift and Katy Perry would be a good example of one that’s been going on a long time, so it’s still relevant. You get a feud going, and everybody just homes in on it, for good or bad. In this case, it’s a comedy, so it’s funny to watch all of the mistaken identities … and shenanigans that go on,” Tweed said. “Then, there’s really a surprise ending that nobody will see coming.”

With Doobie Potter directing, the 60th anniversary season will close April 12-May 6 with “Always a Bridesmaid,” another tale of zany Southern women by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jamie Wooten, who penned one of the smashes of Jewel Box’s 2014-15 season.

“Once they (audiences) find out it’s the three people that wrote ‘Dixie Swim Club,’ they’re gonna go, ‘Oh yeah,’” Tweed said.

“It’s about five women who vow they will always be there when the others get married. At prom, they vow that — they just didn’t realize there were going to be so many weddings. They keep getting married or engaged or whatever over this span of time.”

As the Jewel Box marks its 60th season, Tweed is celebrating an impressive 40-year span as production director. During his tenure, the Jewel Box has boosted its number of season ticket holders from 237 to 2,700 and started such programs as its annual Gem Awards, a national playwriting competition and a behind-the-scenes theater boot camp.

“We’re lucky, and I know it. But nobody does it alone. We have a board, we have an audience, and we’ve taken this journey together. And we have some people that have almost been here as long as I have,” Tweed said.

“It’s like the old adage: find a job you like and you’ll never work a day in your life. … It’s still as exciting today as it was when I first started. I first started doing plays in junior high school. My drama teacher, fell in love with her — Faye Garten was her name – and she gave me my life. So, I get to play every day. Who wouldn’t want to do that?”

From left, Emma Poindexter, Jacob Dever, Mark Ingham and Tad Thurston appear in a publicity photo for Jewel Box Theatre’s 2017-18 season opener "To Kill a Mockingbird." Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman

ON STAGE

Jewel Box Theatre’s 60th anniversary season

“To Kill a Mockingbird”

When: Aug. 17-Sept. 10.

“Suite Surrender”

When: Sept. 28-Oct. 22.

“Plaid Tidings”

When: Nov. 9-Dec. 3.

“Nunsense II: The Second Coming”

When: Jan. 18-Feb. 11.

“Charley’s Aunt”

When: March 1-25.

“Always a Bridesmaid”

When: April 12-May 6.

Where: Jewel Box Theatre, 3700 N Walker.

Information: 521-1786 or www.jewelboxtheatre.org.

-BAM

Source Article

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demitgibbs · 7 years

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Behind the Scenes: Cirque Du Soleil’s ‘OVO’ Comes to Sunrise & Miami

Cirque du Soleil will be performing in Florida in July 2017 with “OVO,” its newest touring show in arenas. The show will perform in Sunrise at the BB&T Center from July 13-July 23 and in Miami at the American Airlines Arena from July 28-30 as part of a global tour in arenas around North America.

Thrilling more than 5 million people worldwide since the show premiered in Montreal in 2009 as a Big Top show, “OVO” will embark on a new journey, performing the same captivating production, but now in arenas, giving more people the opportunity to enjoy a Cirque du Soleil show in their own town.

“OVO,” meaning “egg” in Portuguese, is a headlong rush into a colorful ecosystem teeming with life, where insects work, eat, crawl, flutter, play, fight and look for love in a non-stop riot of energy and movement.

When a mysterious egg appears in their midst, the insects are awestruck and intensely curious about this iconic object that represents the enigma and cycles of their lives. It is love at first sight when a gawky, quirky insect arrives in this bustling community and a fabulous ladybug catches his eye – and the feeling is mutual.

Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to more than 160 million spectators in more than 400 cities on six continents. Cirque du Soleil has close to 4,000 employees, including 1,300 performing artists from close to 50 different countries.

It was a pleasure to sit down with the Artistic Director of “OVO,” Tim Bennett, for this exclusive Hotspots interview:

What was your first job in a theater?

At 19 I was hired to do a dance show at Hershey Park in central PA. It’s a theme park adjacent to the chocolate factory. That was my first professional job.

When did you know entertainment would be your career?

I always did school plays growing up, but when I was in junior high school I started to feel the very strong urge to go into acting. The summer after I graduated from Junior High, I went to NYC (first time) and saw my first Broadway show – the original production of ‘Chicago.” I was so impressed and inspired by it, that I decided there was nothing else that would fulfill me as much as working as an actor.

When you were acting, what was your favorite part(s)?

I’ve always loved farces – classic 5 door farces with fast paced action, mistaken identities, chases, slamming doors, bad puns, and girls in their underwear. There was a farce called “Scapino” that was a modern day telling of an old Moliere play. Jim Dale had done it on Broadway back in the 1970s. I had the opportunity to play the title role and had more fun with it than any other role that I’ve ever done.

You have also directed many shows, other than Cirque, which was your favorite(s)?

I have two – because they were very different jobs. The first is “The Lion King,” where I was the Resident Director of the Las Vegas company. I enjoyed working on “Lion King” more than any other show. I love the story and its universal message, the music, and the many styles of storytelling – from puppetry, shadow play, clowning, modern dance, praise poetry, and classic musical theatre. We also had a wonderful cast of Broadway veterans, who were amazing artists. Being able to work on that show was a real gift.

But I didn’t create “Lion King,” as Resident Director I maintained it. As an original director/choreographer, my favorite show was “Urinetown.” I love the story and message of it, as well as the very farcical playful way that it is written. I also love the opportunity as a choreographer, to create material that pays homage to (some say parodies) other classic musicals and their styles.

How did you come to get hired by Cirque?

I saw my first Cirque show, “NouvelleExperience,” on the Santa Monica Pier back in the early 1990’s and absolutely fell in love with it. The wild imagination that spawned the costumes, music, make-up, and Cirque environment, as well as the incredible acrobatics blew my mind. I thought that it was one of the most creative shows that I had ever seen, and thought to myself “I really want to work with this new company Cirque du Soleil.” At the time, I was still a performer but I had no acrobatic skills, so there wasn’t a place for me. Fast forward a few years to when I moved to Las Vegas with “The Lion King.” There I was surrounded by Cirque shows, and I went to see every one of them. My passion to work for Cirque was reignited. My job at “The Lion King,” was very similar to what I do for Cirque, and when “The Lion King,” eventually closed, I reached out to Cirque right away.

Your title is Artistic Director. What exactly does that entail?

I’m responsible for the artistic integrity of the show. My job is make sure that the show is as exciting, surprising, fresh, and looks as great as it did on the day that it opened. I’m also responsible to maintain the original director’s vision of the show. I do whatever is necessary to make sure that happens. I run rehearsals, work with the coaches in trainings, cast and integrate new artists, work with the Performance Medicine teams to keep the acrobats healthy and rehabilitate injuries, give notes on the shows to artists and the technical departments, add new acts or change existing ones, and coordinate with the PR teams to create events. I also do a lot of operations work from budgeting to scheduling, to casting, and long range planning for the show.

I’m not going to ask you what your favorite part of “OVO” is as I think that would be unfair, but is there a particular act that gets talked about more than the rest?

We have a few unique acts that come up a lot in conversation because they aren’t seen a lot of places, or because our particular take on them is different and special. We have a Chinese “foot juggling” act that most people haven’t ever seen before. It’s a team of 6 Chinese acrobat Ants who juggle various pieces of their “food” and then eventually each other…with their feet.

We have an act that is a combination of trampoline and a crazy huge climbing wall – the biggest of its kind. Since crickets can jump 300 times their body height, we have our crickets jumping, bouncing, and leaping all over the wall via the trampolines. Finally, we have a straps act where our two butterflies soar and dance at the top of the arena in what is the most beautiful and exciting love duet that I’ve ever seen. Audience members always comment about it.

What makes “OVO” special, and what should the South Florida audiences expect from “OVO”?

There are a number of things that make “OVO” unique. It is one of the most playful, colorful, positive, and energetic of Cirque’s shows. It also has a great Brazilian flavor – from its samba music to its characters, to its name (OVO is Portuguese for “egg.”) We also have some of the top circus artists in the world, working alongside Olympic gymnasts and world champion acrobats in some acts that are pretty unique. It’s not a Cirque show that you’ve ever seen before.

But I think what makes it the most special is its message. It’s a story of inclusion, and how a community of insects first reject a “Foreigner” insect because he is different from them. They don’t understand him or his ways and therefore they are threatened by him. Over the course of the story, they realize that they and the stranger are more alike than they are different, and they come to understand and eventually accept and even love him.

What I really love is that “OVO” is a wonderful representation of the culture and world of Cirque du Soleil itself. Inclusion is one of the greatest strengths at Cirque. Our production consists of a troupe of over 100 artists, technicians, and staff from 21 different countries working together as story tellers to amaze and delight audiences. We are a mix of many languages, skin colors, religions, and cultures – French, Russian, American, Ukranian, Brazilian, British…and many more. We work as a team without regard to politics or borders, and the trust between us has to be uncompromising. If we can all work together at the circus to do what we do, there is no reason why others around the world can’t do the same.

Tickets which start at $35 for adults (subject to change) and $25 for children. Senior, military, student discounts and family 4-packs are all available at cirquedusoleil.com/ovo.

from Hotspots! Magazine https://hotspotsmagazine.com/2017/07/12/behind-the-scenes-cirque-du-soleils-ovo-comes-to-sunrise-miami/ from Hot Spots Magazine https://hotspotsmagazine.tumblr.com/post/162902477060

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cynthiajayusa · 7 years

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Behind the Scenes: Cirque Du Soleil’s ‘OVO’ Comes to Sunrise & Miami

It was a pleasure to sit down with the Artistic Director of “OVO,” Tim Bennett, for this exclusive Hotspots interview:

What was your first job in a theater?

At 19 I was hired to do a dance show at Hershey Park in central PA. It’s a theme park adjacent to the chocolate factory. That was my first professional job.

When did you know entertainment would be your career?

When you were acting, what was your favorite part(s)?

You have also directed many shows, other than Cirque, which was your favorite(s)?

How did you come to get hired by Cirque?

Your title is Artistic Director. What exactly does that entail?

I’m not going to ask you what your favorite part of “OVO” is as I think that would be unfair, but is there a particular act that gets talked about more than the rest?

What makes “OVO” special, and what should the South Florida audiences expect from “OVO”?

Tickets which start at $35 for adults (subject to change) and $25 for children. Senior, military, student discounts and family 4-packs are all available at cirquedusoleil.com/ovo.

source https://hotspotsmagazine.com/2017/07/12/behind-the-scenes-cirque-du-soleils-ovo-comes-to-sunrise-miami/ from Hot Spots Magazine http://hotspotsmagazin.blogspot.com/2017/07/behind-scenes-cirque-du-soleils-ovo.html

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hotspotsmagazine · 7 years

Text

Behind the Scenes: Cirque Du Soleil’s ‘OVO’ Comes to Sunrise & Miami

It was a pleasure to sit down with the Artistic Director of “OVO,” Tim Bennett, for this exclusive Hotspots interview:

What was your first job in a theater?

At 19 I was hired to do a dance show at Hershey Park in central PA. It’s a theme park adjacent to the chocolate factory. That was my first professional job.

When did you know entertainment would be your career?

When you were acting, what was your favorite part(s)?

You have also directed many shows, other than Cirque, which was your favorite(s)?

How did you come to get hired by Cirque?

Your title is Artistic Director. What exactly does that entail?

I’m not going to ask you what your favorite part of “OVO” is as I think that would be unfair, but is there a particular act that gets talked about more than the rest?

What makes “OVO” special, and what should the South Florida audiences expect from “OVO”?

Tickets which start at $35 for adults (subject to change) and $25 for children. Senior, military, student discounts and family 4-packs are all available at cirquedusoleil.com/ovo.

from Hotspots! Magazine https://hotspotsmagazine.com/2017/07/12/behind-the-scenes-cirque-du-soleils-ovo-comes-to-sunrise-miami/

0 notes