Method Acting: An opposites attract, found family romance (Center Stage Book 2) by Adele Buck (web based ebook reader txt) 📕

I have enjoyed many a play, its regular season ends in the spring, so the summer setting of Method Acting makes this very much a work of fiction. If you are interested in finding out more about this incredible cultural institution, please visit https://www.folger.edu/folger-theatre.

Chapter 1 of Acting Lessons

Want to get a sneak peek of Book 3 in the Center Stage series? Check out this preview of Freddie and James’ second chance.

Ever since that summer in Connecticut, Freddie Alves promised herself she’d never work with Susan Vernon again.

“I know.” Cath’s low voice was hard to hear over the buzz of conversation and the hiss of the machines in the coffee shop and Freddie pressed the phone to her ear so hard it hurt. “Susan is a world-class problem and Michael was an idiot to hire her.”

“Right. So you’re saying I need to say no.” Relief washed through her.

“No, that’s not what I’m saying…this is a really big opportunity. I wouldn’t blame you if you eventually said no, but you need to at least talk to Michael first. He’s a good guy and a great director.”

Freddie squeezed her eyes shut. “Susan aside, it’s a musical. I’ve never stage managed a musical. I only ever assisted on one, and that was in college.”

“Yeah, it’s daunting. But you can do it. Didn’t you tell me you danced as a kid? It’s not like you have no sense of timing or rhythm and that’s really what you need. Nobody’s going to ask you to get up and sing and dance yourself.”

“Yeah. I did dance and gymnastics in school,” Freddie said, opening her eyes and staring at nothing.

“Well, then you will be great.” Cath’s voice sounded bracing and confident. “Meet with Michael. See if you click. I think you’ll work well with him. He’s very experienced and used to dealing with volatile musical theater types. He should handle Susan just fine.”

“Easy for you to say,” Freddie grumbled. “You’re not the one looking at her treating you like a piece of furniture. At best. Again.”

“Just talk to Michael.” Cath’s voice held that commanding tone she had sometimes used back in the days when Freddie had worked for her as her assistant stage manager. When Cath had been in charge. Which sounded…kind of nice right now. Not having to make decisions. “Don’t decide before you have more information.”

“Fine.” Freddie sighed. “If you’re going to be reasonable about it. I’ll give him a call and set up a time to talk.”

“Good.” Cath was out of “compelling” mode and back into “bracing.” “This could be a great career move for you. I’m glad you’re considering it.”

After hanging up, Freddie sat for a few minutes, sipping her coffee until the moment where the drink went from “cool but still acceptable” to “utterly disgusting.” Putting the cup down, she tapped her fingernails on the screen of her phone, not picking it up off the table.

She almost laughed when she remembered the youthful crush she had had on Susan Vernon. Susan had once been her number one lust object. Freddie had seen the actress play Maggie the Cat in a revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof when Freddie was still in college and the thought of Susan prowling around in a satin slip for the better part of two hours was still hot.

But then Freddie had actually worked with Susan.

Her budding infatuation with the woman behind the actress had been killed within days by Susan’s selfish, predatory behavior.

But that wasn’t really why Freddie was procrastinating now.

Susan was always going to make her think of James.

#

James Martin stepped out into the baggage claim area of Kennedy airport and heard the click of a shutter almost immediately. His jaw tightened and he resisted the urge to roll his eyes, even though they were hidden behind his mirrored aviators. Striding out a little more quickly and tightening his grip on the strap of his leather duffel, he didn’t look to the left or the right, keeping his eyes on the door as he walked. He heard another few clicks and saw light glint off the lens of the camera out of the corner of his eye.

Slow day for the paps, I guess.

He hadn’t seen anybody more recognizable on the flight out from Los Angeles, so he guessed he was this poor bozo’s consolation prize. Getty or one of the other photo wires might buy a picture or two of him on the strength of his new gig, he supposed.

It wasn’t like his last two years in L.A. had been a roaring success.

His career had started in television, then moved to theater and then television had called again, luring him out to Hollywood. He had kept his career puttering along out there, but never seemed to get anything more sustained than a three-episode guest spot on an established show. Finding himself longing for something more stable, he had started to fantasize about getting back on stage. About going back to New York. Fantasies turned to plans as the months went on and the one- and two-episode guest roles trickled through.

And then just as he was getting ready to kiss off television forever and try for Broadway, television went and handed him a supporting role in a new superhero series. A last-minute replacement for the original actor in the pilot. Shooting in New York.

An all-expenses paid ticket out of Los Angeles? Yes please and thank you.

He sold his car, sublet his apartment, had a crew pack his belongings into a truck, and practically sprinted for the airport. Los Angeles hadn’t been bad, but it had never felt like home the way cities on the East Coast had. And now he was back.

Stepping up to the line for a taxi, he pulled his phone out of his pocket and rubbed the screen with his thumb, thinking. He hadn’t talked to Freddie in months and wondered if she’d be thrilled or peeved at his sudden, unannounced arrival in New York.

He also wondered if she was seeing anyone.

#

Michael