Lana’s smile was radiant as she leaned forward to embrace her mentor.
Benita was filled with gratitude, pride, and so many other emotions she couldn’t even begin to identify. This little town had opened up its doors and opportunities to so many. Was Vaughn right? Had she allowed her parents’ dissatisfaction with Trinity Falls to blind her to what her hometown really had to offer?
Vaughn smothered a sigh of disgust. Four months ago, when Peyton and Darius had cochaired the community center’s fund-raising committee, they’d made the group project look easy. He studied the expressions of the eight would-be actors seated in front of him in the Trinity Falls University auditorium Wednesday night. It was their first rehearsal. The read-through had gone well. They’d discussed the costumes and props, then all hell had broken loose when Vaughn had reviewed the rehearsal schedule.
“I don’t understand why we can’t have extra time.” Ethel Knight, one of the musical’s three supporting water fairies, crossed her right leg over her left and tapped the air with her right foot to a frantic rhythm only she could hear. “It’s your play.”
Vaughn opened his mouth to respond but was interrupted by Glenn Narcus, the performance’s male lead. “This schedule is too stressful.”
“Glenn and Ethel are right.” Simon Knight raised his voice to be heard above the low rumbling of agreements. “Why can’t the play open later in the summer or even in the fall?”
Vaughn raised his hands in an effort to get his cast’s attention. “We discussed the timing of the musical before the audition last week. The fact that we have an ambitious schedule isn’t news.”
“But why does it have to be so ambitious?” CeCe Roben, another supporting water fairy, asked.
Vaughn addressed her directly. “We don’t want to go too deep into the summer because people start taking vacations between Independence Day and Labor Day weekend.”
“Well, I’m thinking about going on vacation over Memorial weekend.” Virginia Carp, the musical’s heroine, shrugged her narrow shoulders.
“Why didn’t you tell us that when we asked you to be the female lead?” Seated on the stage beside Vaughn, Benita had been silent until now. But when she spoke up, her question had been confrontational in contrast to Vaughn’s more diplomatic tone.
Ginny shrugged again. “I didn’t think about it then.”
“You should have.” Benita hopped off the stage and approached the audience seats where their actors had gathered. “This is the schedule, people. We have fourteen rehearsal dates on Wednesdays and Thursdays from now until the performance June thirteenth. That means we have another rehearsal tomorrow. And we’ll be depending on you to also practice your lines, songs, and dance steps on your own.”
“Suppose we can’t make a rehearsal date?” Belinda Curby, the third supporting water fairy, asked.
Benita turned toward the beauty salon owner. “This is the schedule you committed to when we invited you to join this project. Tell us now if you can’t keep your commitment so we can replace you.”
Vaughn stiffened. What if the entire cast walked? If he had to hold more auditions, his already ambitious schedule would go right down the toilet. Did Benita know what she was doing?
Benita looked around the group. “We want you for this musical. That’s why we cast you. But if you’ve changed your mind about this commitment, there are other people who auditioned who can replace you. Just tell us now.”
Yvette Bates, the mermaid villain Mama D’Leau, raised her hand. “I can make the rehearsals and the performance.”
Benita nodded. “Thank you, Yvette.”
Stan, the hero’s buddy, shifted in his seat. “I’m good.”
After a quick frown at Stan seated beside her, CeCe spoke up. “I can keep the schedule, too. I didn’t think there’d be any harm in asking if there was wiggle room.”
Benita arched a brow. “The time to ask about the schedule came before you accepted the role.”
CeCe looked chagrined. “Sorry.”
The rest of the group also agreed to make every rehearsal and the performance.
“Thanks, everyone.” Benita looked at their female lead. “And, Ginny, in the future, please remember the rehearsals start promptly at six o’clock. You were almost half an hour late today. That can’t happen.”
Ginny blew out a breath as she rose to her feet. “I thought this was going to be fun.”
Benita arched a brow. “It can be. But first and foremost, this is a professional performance. Everyone needs to be ready and on time.”
Watching Benita in action, Vaughn realized again this was the reason Darius had suggested he ask Benita to help. She had a talent for handling difficult personalities. This left Vaughn to concentrate on just the performance. He wanted to do a fist bump in the air.
“It’s late.” Vaughn slid off the stage. “Let’s wrap this up. Remember to bring your measurements to rehearsal tomorrow.”
Tension drained from Benita’s shoulders as the actors filed out of the auditorium. Their voices drifted back but she couldn’t make out the words. That was probably for the best. Benita grimaced. She doubted they were saying anything good about her.