Internally, I grimaced at the thought of breaking a leg on opening night…again. I had to remind myself that it was a theater trope, and she didn’t want me to break a bone literally.
I did a quick touch-up of my makeup and made my way to stage right for the top of Act One. I was in the hallway when I heard Serafina call places, so I hurried and got to stage right as the auditorium lights flickered on and off, telling the audience to find their seats.
The auditorium lights dimmed, and San Nicolás walked onstage to thunderous applause. “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen and welcome toThe Naughty List,“ San Nicolás’ voice boomed throughout the auditorium. “We hope you enjoy our little production as much as we enjoy performing it.” San Nicolás then read the standard list of things not to do at the theater, including don’t record the show, don’t take flash photography, and “unwrap those infernal candy wrappers before the show or you will get an elfin piece of coal in your stocking.” As San Nicolás finished his curtain speech and walked off the stage, the lights dimmed one last time before the orchestra started the overture.
“For the love of Rudolph, let’s do this!” Peeter said behind me.
“And for Santa’s sake, don’t elf it up!” Katherine added.
“Holy fudge! We’ve got this,” I added right before it was time for us to enter stage right.
The show ran like clockwork. There were a few moments when the clapping at the ends of songs was longer than we were used to, but we got through Act One with zero problems. By the time we started the top of Act Two, the show was entirely in the swing of things, and I wasn’t worried about anything. Muscle memory took over, and we sailed through the show. I was both fully present and watched the musical unfold around me like a specter watching from a distance.
As we headed into the eleven o’clock number, I was ready to go. When the music started, I took my place, and I sang like I’d never sung before. I put every ounce of anxiety, fear, depression, hope, excitement, and joy into those three minutes and thirty-three seconds of the song. When I hit that last high note, it was as effortless in my throat as breathing. When the downbeat hit, I watched the audience as my chest heaved up and down. I was surprised when one pocket of audience members jumped to their feet, followed by the other pockets. Before I knew it, the entire theater was standing and applauding. We’d had a great crowd all night long, but this was a first. I stood there smiling, doing my best to stay in character so we could move on to the next scene.
When the audience finally sat down, I exited stage left for my last quick-change into the wedding scene.
“That was amazing,” Katherine said in the wings. “You’re always good, but that was at a completely different level.”
“I don’t enjoy tooting my own horn, but I transcended there for a moment. At that moment, I was not Erika. I wasn’t Tinsel Hollicane. I was love. I was Christmas. I was every hope and desire people have during the holiday season.”
“Save it for your first press interview,” Katherine joked. She looked at me seriously and added, “You were brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.”
I didn’t have time to respond because it was already time to head back on stage for the finale. The song went off without a hitch, and by the time we took our bows. I knew…I just sensed we honestly had a hit on our hands.
After the applause, the creative team and Rebekka Eldridge came on stage and said a few words. Then we sang the last refrain from “Christmas Wedding” one last time, the curtain closed, and we all broke out in hoots and hollers on stage. We’d opened a new Broadway musical.
“Okay, people,” Eldridge said. “I know we’ve had our trials and tribulations getting this show put up. But I want all of you to know how proud I am of this company. I think my late husband is sitting in heaven smiling tonight as his dream has been fulfilled. I look forward to seeing everyone at the opening night party at Sardi’s.”
With that, we were summarily dismissed. I rushed back to my dressing room and found Gladys and Carlos ready to help me out of my costume, wig and microphone. Once they finished, I ran through the shower. Carlos promised to be back in to help me with my hair and makeup. True to his word, he was there in thirty minutes.
“What are you wearing?” he asked. “I want to make sure your makeup matches.”
I unzipped the garment bag. The rainforest night green dress was made of crushed velvet with a twisted ruched high slit and matching full-length gloves. I had six-inch red stilettos dyed to match the ruby necklace and earrings I would wear.
“Wow,” he said. “That’s absolutely gorgeous. I will paint you to match the accessories without being overkill.”
I sat down in the chair, and he went to work. I closed my eyes and let myself take a respite while he performed his magic.
“You can open your eyes now,” Carlos whispered.
I did as told and was utterly shocked by the image staring back at me in the mirror. Now, I know I’m an attractive woman. You don’t get to star in several Broadway musicals if you’re not beautiful. But I was absolutely shocked by the beauty that stared back at me through the mirror. I teared up. I couldn’t help myself. I had never looked more amazing in my entire life.
“No,” Carlos demanded. “You will not cry. You are perfection. I am not doing your makeup again. So, put on a stiff upper lip and be gorgeous.”
I centered myself and said, “Yes, sir.”
I slipped on the heels, then put on the dress. Carlos helped me zip it up in the back. I hadn’t brought a coat to wear over it because I would not be spending much time outside. I would go from the theater to the car waiting for me. And after the party, a car would take me home.
I walked toward the back door where the cars were supposed to be waiting for us. I ran into Vladislav Nicolai in the hall. “Just the woman I was looking for,” he said as I approached. I still was weary around the man, but I threw on my best smile. “We had your car taken around to the front entrance.”
“Why?” I said with a bit of hesitation.
He threw a dismissive hand and said, “It was too crowded in the back, so we split it up at the last minute. I’ve been catching people and redirecting them.”
“Thanks for letting me know.” I headed to the lobby to take the escalator down to the first floor. The house staff were finishing the post-show cleaning. A few of them congratulated me as I walked through the lobby. I got to the top of the escalator and rode it down.
I looked down at the bottom of the escalator. The most gorgeous man I’d ever seen wear a black tux. He stood there holding a bouquet of white roses.
