Love's Opening Night: On Stage, #2

By Jeff Adams

Can an onstage love story lead to a real-life romance?

 

Jeremy Steele is a veteran Broadway performer. For his latest role, he's dancing alongside a man he's fantasized about for years, TV star Ty Beaumont. Jeremy knows better than to get involved with a castmate, but when Ty has trouble learning the complicated choreography, Jeremy offers to lend a hand. When a rehearsal kiss turns into something more, Jeremy can't help but wonder what a celebrity like Ty could ever see in a Broadway chorus boy like him.

 

Will a relationship with his crush make it past previews, or can it become a long-running hit?

 

This second edition has no changes from the original, other than some additional copy editing. There is, however, new backmatter with additional details on the story's inspiration.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Big Gay Media
• Release date: Sep 6, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201736897

Jeff Adams

Jeff Adams is Professor of Education at the University of Chester, and the Principal Editor of International Journal of Art & Design Education, as well as Programme Leader of the Centre for Research in Education, Creative and Arts through Practice.

Book preview

Love’s Opening Night (On Stage #2)

LOVE’S OPENING NIGHT (ON STAGE #2)

JEFF ADAMS

Big Gay Media

LOVE’S OPENING NIGHT

Can an onstage love story lead to a real-life romance?

Jeremy Steele is a veteran Broadway performer. For his latest role, he’s dancing alongside a man he’s fantasized about for years, TV star Ty Beaumont. Jeremy knows better than to get involved with a castmate, but when Ty has trouble learning the complicated choreography, Jeremy offers to lend a hand. When a rehearsal kiss turns into something more, Jeremy can’t help but wonder what a celebrity like Ty could ever see in a Broadway chorus boy like him.

Will a relationship with his crush make it past previews, or can it become a long-running hit?

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CONTENTS

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Epilogue

Love’s Opening Night Fun Facts

Acknowledgments

Dancing for Him Excerpt

Big Gay Fiction Podcast

Try Something Different from Jeff

Also by Jeff Adams

About the Author

ONE

Good morning, um. Damn. Sorry. I know it starts with a J, said dance captain Darci Rothberg. We were both at the coffeepot that stood on a table in the corner of the rehearsal studio.

Jeremy, I said with a smile. And don’t worry about it. I’m still learning names too.

Thanks, she said, fixing her coffee. I can say you’re doing great. I can’t hang on to your name, but I know you’re learning fast. Keep it up.

I’ll do my best.

I never enjoyed being the new guy. It was always a little awkward coming into a company that had worked together for a while. I was one of three new ensemble cast members to come in to Love Crossings as it transferred from Boston to Broadway.

Once I got my coffee, I settled into what had become my warm-up spot. I went through my stretches in the place where I spent most of my time, upstage left.

This was my seventh Broadway musical, but it was the first where I’d be in an original cast. I was giddy at the idea of seeing Jeremy Steele listed inside the opening night Playbill. Plus, and possibly best of all, I’d record the original cast album, and forever be a part of the show’s history.

As usual, Ty Beaumont walked in while I stretched. So far I’d never seen him without a smile at the start of the day. Truthfully, he kept it most of the time. Like everyone else, though, by the time we finished, it was a tired smile.

Ty had me excited to be here too. I knew he was cast when I auditioned. He was among the reasons I gave up my steady gig at Wicked, where I’d played several ensemble parts and understudied Fiyero.

I’ve had a crush on Ty since I first saw him three years ago. He did a production of Macbeth as part of Shakespeare in the Park. Seven afternoons were spent in line for that show because I wanted more of him. He was the most handsome guy ever, with his piercing green eyes, curly dark hair, and a smile with more nuances than I thought possible.

As he moved through the studio, saying good morning to everyone along the way, I watched. We hadn’t talked much, although he always said hello and made small talk when we’d meet briefly over the water fountain, coffee, or lunch. His rich voice made me swoon when he directed it at me. Not to mention, during those encounters, he was close enough that I could smell the subtle, woodsy fragrance he wore. Thankfully, my dance belt kept any arousal caused by his proximity hidden from view.

The cast, creative team, and three musicians had made this studio home since last week. For the newcomers, like me, this was the chance to make sure we knew our parts. For those returning, it was their opportunity to work through what the creative team had changed in the five months since Love Crossings closed in Boston.

While there’d been tweaks to the songs and script, the dancing was completely different. Choreographer Ricky Michaels joined the production to liven up the movement. It was a thrill to work with him—another reason I’d wanted this show. He’d won a Tony two years ago and had a reputation for his innovative style.

Like a precision machine, right at nine, Madi Baldwin, our director, called us together to hear the plan for the day. We’re tackling the first act finale today. It’s the same song, although expanded to add a dance break, and the tempo’s changed. The choreography is new, and it’s the most complex for the show. Ricky will run rehearsal today to teach it. We want to run it at full speed before we’re done today.

Oh, here we go, whispered Nate, an ensemble member who’d been with the show in Boston.

Worried? I asked.

Starting positions for act one finale, please, Allie, the stage manager, called.

Not at all. I’m excited. Ricky’s already thrown challenging moves at us. If this is the complex part, I think it could be a pretty cool day. Although I probably should’ve stretched more.

At least we’ve got time to learn it. I took my place confidently since there were six weeks until previews started.

Yeah. Nate grinned at me. That just means there’s plenty of time to change it too.

I shrugged and smiled as Ricky,