Chapter Text
“Marinette 20 minutes till show time." a stagehand called through the door.
"I'm almost ready." Marinette called back trying not to move as her makeup artist finished up.
"How do I look Nat?" Marinette asked nervously as she got up.
"Absolutely stunning." Nathaniel answered honestly before he began cleaning up, packing away all the various cosmetics that lay about.
"Are you sure. What if I sweat so much the make up starts to drip off or I rub my face and smudge the make up or it turns out I'm allergic to the makeup and I end up fainting on stage?" Marinette babbled as she wringed her hat between her hands.
"Marinette I get that you're nervous but now is probably not the best time the show is about to go on." Nathaniel tried to encourage her pushing her out the dressing room and toward the curtains.
"But..." Marinette began but Nathaniel was quickly whipped away but a munchkin who needed their face touched up. Marinette was left standing by herself as countless crew members buzzed about ensuring the play would run smoothly.
What was she doing here? Just a month ago she was preparing the costumes but now she's standing backstage in one of the costumes she designed, her face caked in a make up and in minutes she'll be on stage in front of hundreds of people. WHAT IS SHE DOING!!!
"I know that look. Girl breath." Marinette was pulled from her internal breakdown by a familiar reporter.
"Alya I don't think I can do this I don't know what the producer was thinking when he made me Chloe's replacement but they can take their role and shove..."
"Woah there no need for your potty mouth," Alya smiled making Marinette pout but she relaxed a bit.
"Alya I can't ...."
"Up up up who are you?"
"Um Marinette." Marinette answered a bit confused by Alyas question.
"No not tonight. Tonight you are Elphaba kick ass witch from OZ." Alya explained matter of factly grabbing the hat from Marinettes hands and gently placing it on her head.
"Let's try this again who are you?" Alya repeated slinging an arm around Marinettes shoulders and guiding her through the mass of munchkins and other actors.
Marinette took a deep breath and exhaled letting go of all her pent up stress.
"I'm Elphaba kickass witch of the west." Marinette said firmly straightening her posture.
"That's my girl," Alya cheered, "Now don't forget my interview I want to be the first reporter interviewing Broadway's next big star. See you in your dressing room." Alya said giving Marinette one last hug before she ran back to hide in the dressing rooms, Marinette was going to have to scold Alya again about the importance of security and privacy but for now she had other things to focus on.
"Everybody get to your places." Someone called from somewhere in the darkened stage. Marinette fiddled with her dress as she waited for her part to come.
"Good luck." Marinette whispered to herself.
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The cheers and standing ovation from the crowd was deafening. Marinettes cheeks were aching from smiling so much but she couldn't find it in herself to stop. She did it she made it through the whole show she would even dare to say it went perfectly. Marinette walked off stage feeling lighter than air only able to smile and nod as her co-cast congratulated her stunning performance.
"Damn girl I can't believe it you were even better than I expected!" Alya yelled jumping Marinette as soon as she walked into her dressing room.
"Ah Alya you're choking me." Marinette gurgled pulling at Alyas arm.
"Sorry I'm just so proud. My little Mari is growing up." Alya said dramatically, wiping away a nonexistent tear. The two girls shared a laugh both just soaking in Marinettes success.
"I bet now you're going to be flooded with requests for you to star in all sorts of shows."
"Alya you and I both know this was a one time thing. The producer was in a bind and I just happened to know enough to fill in Chloes shoes, besides I'm a costume designer not a actress." Marinette laughed wiping away the green makeup.
"Could have fooled me I was ready to beat the other actors up when you started to cry."
"You're always ready to beat someone up." Marinette countered wiping away the last of the makeup.
"Yeah but you..." Alya was cut off by a sharp knock on the door. Marinette looked to Alya but the brunette only shrugged before walking to the door and opening it. A sharply dressed man in dark suit stood on the other side. His dark hair was slicked back and he offered a small smile a bouquet of roses in his arms.
“Good evening ladies I was looking for the witch of the west," the man smiled continuing on, " I would just like to personally congratulate Miss Cheng on an outstanding performance." The man spoke smoothly offering the roses to the stunned actress.
"That's a nice thought but not just anyone can get backstage so what's your deal?" Alya questions getting straight to the point, one hand on her hip as she looked the man up and down.
"Alya!" Marinette whined giving the man an apologetic smile as she took the roses.
"It's fine. Your friend is quite observant though I would expect nothing less from one of the best reporters in New York."
"Oh so you know who I am alright we have a grade A psychopath I'm gonna scream in 10 seconds." Alya threatened putting herself between Nick and Marinette.
"I'm a businessman I make it my business to know people especially when they are acquainted with such talent." The man explained.
"Not good enough, 5...4...3..."
"Wait wait there is no need for that," Nick rushed holding his hands up in surrender before continuing," My name is Nick Carver I'm a Broadway producer and I would like to talk to Miss. Cheng about starring in an upcoming production." Nick rushed out his whole body tense waiting for the woman in glasses to scream. Lucky enough the woman kept her mouth closed.
"What production?" Marinette asked curiously gently pushing Alya out of the way.
"Well your performance tonight was outstanding I would like you to audition for Les Miserables." The room was dead silent the man remaining calm as he let the young woman in front of him process what he had said.
"When are the auditions?" Marinette asked blankly.
"March 5 at the little theater on fifth. Now I must be going but if you have any further questions here is my business card." Nick smiled offering Marinette a card but she didn't move seeming content to just stare off into space. With a not so gentle nudge from Alya Marinette came to her senses grabbing the card from the man.
"It was a pleasure to meet you I hope I see you at the auditions." With that the man left shutting the door as he did.
Alya and Marinette stared at the card like it held the secrets to the world.
"This is so going in the interview."