Broadway Dreams

Stars. They are those shining things that absolutely amaze us every night… well, they amaze me at least. I love to just lay down in the grass and stare at them all night. They are my safe space, they only thing that is truly my thing. 

“Lia, the pizza is here!”

But then again, nothing lasts forever. That’s my roommate Sam, also kind of my best friend. 

“I’m coming Sam!”

“Oh honey, you always look so lonely outside by yourself.”

“I’m fine Sam, I like it that way.”

“Well, I don’t. Tell you what, we are getting you someone to share that feeling with.”

“Sure thing Sam.”

“I’m serious. You know I’m kind of a matchmaker.”

“Let’s just start eating.”

“I like that idea.”

Sam has always wanted me to find someone special, but I’ve never put too much thought about it. Of course, it’s easy for her to say since she already met her “soulmate”, Mark. He’s cool, I just don’t think he’s soulmate material. 

“Ring, ring, ring, ring”

And here comes yet another day. I work as a waitress in a fancy restaurant in New York. I know what you might be thinking, “that doesn’t sound as bad as you make it sound”. Well, it is to me since my dream is to be a broadway star, which is why I am here. I really have to stop whining, my dreams are bound to-

“Excuse me, miss, are you done daydreaming?”

“Pardon me?”

“I asked if you were done daydreaming, I didn’t come here to wait for 30 minutes just to order.”

“Yes, of course, I am so sorry, I-”

“Just tell me what was so great that you could lose your job.”

“Um, well… I was just imagining being on Broadway with the dancing and singing and the lights and oh, what a dream.”

“Broadway, huh? Since when has that been your dream?”

“Since I was a little girl. I remember just watching Ms Barbra Streissand in Funny Girl and falling in love with the musical theater apartment. I have always been to musical theater classes, camps, and even been in the show choir, all to help me prepare to the moment when I get my shot.”

“You know, I can help you achieve your dream, I only ask for my food in return.”

“Wait, really, how?”

“My son is doing a production of West Side Story and is currently looking for his Maria, I can get you an audition.”

“Oh my, god, thank you so much, I don’t know what to say. I’m going to be Maria!”

“Could be.”

“So when and where should I go audition?”

“You shall go to New Amsterdam theater today at 6 pm, don’t be late!”

“Okay, thank you so much for this, I-”

“Honey, you should get going, it’s across town. Good luck.”

“Oh, yes. Thank you again, good bye!”

Could this be it? My shot to be everything I’ve dreamed of being? I sure hope so. The only thing I need now is a taxi, well if I can manage to stop one.

“TAXI!”

Finally, a yellow cab stops after 10 minutes, not giving me quite enough time to reach the theater in time. Or hopefully it does and I am just overreacting. 

“Hi, where can I take you?”

“The New Amsterdam Theater please, and quick.”

“Ooh, the one with the West Side Story production?”

“That’s the one!”

“May I ask why?”

“Well this is my shot of living my broadway dream.”

“A dream? No need to say more, New Amsterdam theater here we go.”

The cab driver just managed to make a 30 minute drive into a 15 minute drive, which I am eternally grateful for, but it’s not the time for that quite yet.

“Thank you so much, how much do I owe you?”

“Oh, it’s on me. Good luck, I hope your dream comes true!”

“Thank you! Have a nice day!”

This is it. My chance to prove that all those years were worth waiting for this. As I enter the glorious theater I feel safe, at home. The booths, lights, curtains everything I always dream of. And then, when you thought it couldn’t get better, you see the stage. All the red velveted seats, the huge broadway lights, the golden strikes in the theater walls, the scenery. As I walk walk down those precious steps all I can think of is how-”

“Are you all right, miss?”

Great, I fell.

“Yes, thank you. Uh, is this where I can audition for the show?”

“Well yes. Right this way to the stage.”

“Thank you.”

As I am once again walking down the steps, heading into the spectacular stage, I can tell another man is staring at me rather badly.

“Do you even have any experience, because it sure does not seem like it.”

“Well, not professionally, but it has always been my dream to be on broadway.”

The man just gave me a repulsed stare, and looked away. The other just pulled focus on me once away.

“Oh, a dreamer, how wonderful. Well, show us what you can do.”

I’m always prepared to do an audition for any musical, which is why I’ve decided to sing “Somewhere”.

“Hi, my name is Lia Garcia and I will be auditioning for the role of Maria.

As I started singing the song I felt shy and nervous, but then, as I watched the other director I couldn’t think of anything else but to prove that I can do it. I start hitting high notes, singing smoothly and passionate. I belong here. I see both directors with absolute shock in their faces. 

“That was incredible miss, we will keep in touch.”

“Thank you!”

I can’t even begin to explain how awesome that felt. Oh wait, I have to call Sam, she will be ecstatic about the news. 

“Hi Sam, I was just calling to-”

“He broke up with me!”

“What?”

“He broke up with me for some other girl.”

“Oh honey, I’ll be right there.”

I can’t believe it, she was so in love with him. Actually, I CAN believe it since I didn’t think they would last much longer. Now, I just have to get home.

As I open the door, I can hear loud sobbing, that poor girl. I decide to go in for a hug, it’s one of Sam’s favorite things since I am not really much of a hugger.

“Don’t waste your tears on him, he’s not worth it honey.”

“Uh oh, you are going to hate me.”

“What, why?”

The crying came to an immediate stop, which doesn’t usually happen…

“I had some news to tell you, so I pretended that I was really upset for a ‘break up’.”

“You really faked a break up just to get me here? You could’ve waited.”

“But by then it would be too late!”

“For what, exactly?”

“I got you a date tonight!”

“What, no, I don’t want a date!”

“Please do this, please!”

“No, Sam.”

“Please, please, please, PLEASE!”

“Ugh, fine!”

“Yay! Go get ready.”

And so, I was getting ready for a date I didn’t even want, with someone I most likely don’t know, but hey, I auditioned for Maria so I’m over the moon at the moment. I hear a car pulling up to the side of our house and I can’t help but thinking, is he at least cute?

“He is here, yay, he is here!”

“I know Sam!”

“So what are you waiting for, go!”

“OKAY, JUST STOP PUSHING ME!”

“Have a nice date!”

Down to the sidewalk I go. It’s a white Mercedes, nice. And out comes the guy. 

“Hello, my name is Robert, nice to meet you. I see you admire my Mercedes, as you should since it is very expensive.”

“Yes, uh, I’m Lia, nice to meet you too…”

Oh, boy, is this going to be a long night.

We get to a super fancy restaurant, even fancier than the one I work at but have never afford to eat at. And when I start thinking it won’t be so bad, Robert just starts showing off his watch and how much money he makes a year. As I’m getting extremely bored with this Roberto talk, I can’t help but notice the two directors from the audition sitting at another table. 

“Hi, uh, Robert, I’m just going to the bathroom for a sec.”

“Oh, sure, go ahead.”

“Hello, Mark!”

“Oh, hi Lia, it’s nice to see you again, but what are you doing here?’

“I’m on a date at the other table and I saw you guys here and thought I would come say hi.”

“Well shouldn’t you go back to your date?”

“No, he’s just- flirting with the waitress now.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, will you like to sit with us?”

“NOOOO, I FORBID IT!”

Oops, almost forgot Mike was there too.

“He is joking Lia, sit.”

It was really nice talking to them, well Mark at least. He is just a lovely person with such a lovely personality.

“We gotta tell you something Lia.”

“What is it..?”

“You got the part!”

“Oh my god, really, thank you so much!”

“Don’t thank me, thank yourself and your talent.”

“Thank you too Mike.”

“You should thank my mother, she is the one that said yes.”

“Well of course, she is the one that got me the audition.”

“Anyway, we have to go but we’ll see you at rehearsals Monday at 9 am. Do you need a ride?”

“I would love to have one if that is okay.” 

I AM GOING TO BE MARIA IN AN ACTUAL BROADWAY MUSICAL! I’m so ecstatic, this is my dream. Oh, I can’t wait to tell Sam! 

We pull up to say our goodbye,and I immediately rush up the stairs.

“I’m home Sam!”

“Oh, hi, how was your date?”

“Hated it, the guy would only brag about himself.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, but hey I got a tiny surprise for you.”

“What is it?”

“I sent an audition of you to this West Side Story musical a guy Mark is making and they just told me another stupid girl got it, I’m so sorry.”

“Hey, don’t be.”

“But this is your dream, how are you so happy?”

“Because I am the stupid girl that got it.”

“OH MY GOD I’M SO HAPPY FOR YOU!”

“Thank you Sam, rehearsals start Monday.” 

“Yay!”

The weekend passed really fast, and before I knew it, it was already Monday.

“Hi Mark, hello Mike, so what are we doing today?”

“Just rehearse your lines and practice with your incredible voice.”

“You are perfect, and I’m sure you will do great.”

“Well, thanks Mark.”

Months of rehearsing and shows passed and I kept falling deeper for Mark, but tomorrow was the last show. Oh, such a wonderful thing.

“Lia you have to tell him tomorrow!”

“I know Sam, but what if he just doesn’t feel the same?”

“Oh, but he will, come on just do it!”

“Okay, fine”

The day had come, and I was absolutely nervous.

“Hey Mark, could I talk to you for a second?”

“Well of course, what’s on your mind, star?”

“It’s been months of us spending time together and I couldn’t help but notice how in love I fell for you…”

“Um, really? I just, I love you too, but I’m leaving to do a show in LA tomorrow and I wouldn’t be able to stand being away from you. You belong here Lia.”

“But…”

“No buts.”

That went over smoothly, but I guess it was for the best.

The show had ended and we all just cried and gave our farewells, except Mark. Oh, I feel terrible. Now I’m on a cab to my apartment.

“Hi Sam.”

“So how did it go, Maria?

“He is leaving for LA tomorrow…”

“So?”

“So we can’t be together.”

“Sure you can, just go to LA with him.”

“What?”

“Yeah, you already lived your dream, now it’s time for you to really feel the love.”

“I wouldn't know when I would come back, and you-”

“No me, just book the ticket, we will always be best friends.”

“Thank you so much Sam, I love you!

“Love you too, now go pack!”

I packed all the stuff I could and waited for the morning. I said goodbye to Sam and took off to the airport. Then, there he was.

“Mark, wait!”

“Lia, what are you doing here?”

“I’m going to LA with you.”

“Wait, what?”

“It’s my chance to find true love, and I think that’s you.”

Then he kissed me, the best kiss I have ever thought of. 

Years later we are still madly in love and looking together at the stars along with our kids.