Chapter Twenty-Four

On a Saturday in late March, nearly five days after it was initially scheduled, came opening night for the play.

Jeff showed up at the auditorium early, like he always did and made the rounds, double checking to make sure all the equipment was working, and everything was where it needed to be. He felt weirdly serene, but he knew that the stress would hit him later. This was just the calm before the storm.

Shortly thereafter Enrique showed up, followed by the actors. Everyone signed themselves in, did some group vocal warm-ups with Tariq, and got into costume. Jeff barely got to see them, as he was giving directions to his stage crew. There were quite a few set changes throughout the play, which meant that he needed his curtain operator to be strong and his runners to roll things in and out as quickly as they could. Also, several Junior ROTC members had volunteered to sell concessions and hand out programs at the door. Tickets were already sold out, which Jeff still couldn’t believe had happened, but that was one less thing for them to worry about.

People started pouring into the house shortly after six PM when the sun was setting. Jeff kept periodically peeking out at the crowd from the wings. Every time he thought that it couldn’t get any bigger, it just kept growing. Jeff had never seen anything like it. He saw at least thirty people sporting shirts with his name or face on them, and that was only the ones he counted before he lost track. Soon enough, all the seats were occupied, and the crowd was starting up a collective chant of “Let Him Teach.”

Jeff frowned.

“Why are they all chanting that? That has nothing to do with the play.”

“I think they want you to make a speech or something,” said one of the runners.

“I don’t think that’s very appropriate considering the circumstances,” Jeff replied.

“What are they going to do?” Valerie asked. “Fire you?”

Jackson cut his eyes sideways at Jeff.

“She does have a point.”

Jeff peeked out at the crowd one more time and considered all the things he wanted to say.

“Dim the house lights,” he said into his headset.

A few minutes later the audience descended into darkness and their chanting turned into hushed whispers. Jeff took a deep breath.

“Wish me luck,” he said before exiting the wings and slowly walking out in front of the closed curtain. Adam brought up a spotlight for him and Jeff nodded gratefully, even as he was blinking against the sudden illumination. The crowd went nuts again the second they saw him. Jeff raised a palm in an awkward hello and let them get the cheering out of their systems. 

“Hello everyone,” he said finally. “I wanted to thank you all so much for joining us for our production of David Whittaker’s Five Nights ‘til Curtain.”

Jeff had to pause again due to the overwhelming applause.

“I’d like to also ask that everyone put their phones on silent and not scream at any of the performers and/or call out to them by name. Concessions and restrooms can be found in the lobby behind you.”

Jeff looked down at the house and tried to spot any familiar faces, but it was nearly impossible with the light shining in his eyes.

“I know that most of you are probably here in part because of me,” he continued. “And I appreciate that. I hope that you enjoy the show regardless. My students have been working tirelessly day in and day out to make sure that it’s the best it can possibly be. I’d like to take a moment to recognize the seniors working on this show, as this will be their last Apollo High production. First off, we have tonight’s star and drama club president, Danielle Hanson. You will see her shortly in the role of Maria. Danielle is one of the most hardworking and dedicated people I’ve ever met. Even though this is her last production with us, I am certain she will go on to do even greater things. Then we have a new addition to our group this year, Cameron Davis in the role of Nathan.”

The crowd started whispering excitedly at the mention of Cam. It wasn’t hard to figure out who he was related to if you’d been following Jeff’s story at all. Jeff ignored the murmuring and kept on speaking.

“Cam is a talented young man, and I cannot begin to tell you how wonderful it has been seeing him come into his own as a performer over these last few months.

“I’d also like to acknowledge Leanne Rice, who will be singing in the chorus tonight. This young lady is an absolute joy to have around. She is hilarious, knowledgeable, and always there to bring everyone back down to reality. Her jokes, and her technical skills will be greatly missed.

“Finally, I’d like to honor two incredibly dedicated individuals that you won’t be seeing onstage, but without whom this show would not be possible. First, there is our tech guru, Adam Young, who has been running lights and sound for me ever since he was a freshman. This kid knows things about the soundboards that even I, in my ten years working here, have not yet figured out. And lastly, there is our brilliant stage manager, Enrique Vega. Enrique has gone above and beyond in every role I’ve ever placed him in. He is loyal, kind, efficient, and I think I speak for the entire AHS drama department when I say that we appreciate all he’s done for us over the last four years.

“Please give these students a round of applause.”

There were claps and whistles all around. Jeff closed his eyes and counted to ten, trying to get his emotions under control. He could have just left the speech at that, but he felt like he needed to address the bigger issue in the room; the one that had led to the record-breaking turnout. 

“When I was young I could never have imagined that there were so many people in the world who thought and loved and cared about people the way that I do,” Jeff said once the crowd had gone quiet again. “I was taught to believe that my gayness was sinful and wrong and worthy of punishment, but now here I stand, stronger and more loved for it. This experience, although it’s been frustrating and sad in many ways, has taught me so much about community and about myself. Thank you to all of you who continue to stand up for what’s right, even when it’s not easy. Thank you to those of you who raise your voices on behalf of people who cannot do so for themselves. And most of all, thank you to all my LGBT brothers, sisters, and non-binary siblings for having my back. Please enjoy the show.” 

The responding applause was deafening, and Jeff walked off the stage glad that he’d gotten that off his chest. Danielle, Cam, and Leanne were waiting for him in the wings and they quickly wrapped Jeff into a hug before resuming their places on the stage. Once they were all in position, Jeff signaled to Adam and Enrique up in the booth that they were ready to go.

Music swelled and the curtain opened. Kendra shuffled over to center stage in her old lady garb and delivered the first line that launched them into the opening number. Everyone looked and sounded amazing. There wasn’t a note or a body out of place. The crowd was eating it up and Jeff could hear trickling bits of laughter long after the kids had moved on from each joke.

The entire show was even better than he’d ever imagined. Danielle and Cam had the audience on the edge of their seats with their conflicting ideologies and will-they-won’t-they romantic subplot. Kendra had the audience in stitches every time she was onstage. Tariq, Jessica, and Leslie absolutely killed their solo numbers, earning more than a few standing ovations. Eddie was absolutely devious, and Jackson and Rin worked in perfect harmony. Even Ruby and Sophia managed to have their standout moments amid the veteran cast.

Before Jeff knew it, the curtain was opening and the kids were holding hands, taking a bow to the most uproarious applause this building had ever seen. Jeff clapped right along with them. He felt like a proud father.

Afterward, everyone gathered in the drama room, greeting friends, family, and faculty members. Principal Mallory had been one of the first people to clap Jeff on the back and congratulate him on a job well done. The air in the tiny room was electric. There wasn’t a face in sight that wasn’t plastered with a genuine smile. 

Jeff was huddled in a group talking with Cam and Danielle when Luke walked in carrying two giant bouquets of roses. Luke strolled right over and pulled both Cam and Jeff into a big hug. He even gave Jeff a little peck, which made Danielle and several other students cheer. Jeff blushed and accepted his bouquet. Looking into Luke’s adoring eyes while surrounded by friends, students, and various other people who supported him, Jeff had never felt so happy and full of love.