Chapter 17
The excitement backstage was beyond anything any of them had ever experienced. People stood in the wings, listening to the audience arrive and the orchestra settle in and tune. There was excitement in the air.
At 7:10, Walter gathered everyone into a backstage room and led them through calming breathing exercises and a warm-up.
At 7:25, Kent said, “Well, this is what the past five weeks have been for. You look and sound wonderful. Break a leg.”
Casey came into the room a few minutes later and announced, “Places everyone. One minute ‘til curtain.”
Everyone went out onstage and got into the places where they had to be when the curtain rose.
The orchestra began the overture.
The first act started. It felt right. Everyone seemed to be doing a wonderful performance. The audien
