When my best mate Grayson Keene first called, asking me to come to this dinner, I wanted nothing to do with it. He's the face of The Edison. I'm only the managing director. He's the one with the charm and charisma and the schmoozing capability.
I'm the practical one.
When he said I had to come to dinner to try to secretly convince a has-been pop star to commit to starring in one of the shows this summer at The Edison Theater, it was a hard pass. So not my thing.
But he'd begged.
Carson Reuben fromBackstage Magazinehad gone out on a limb to make this introduction. And now Grayson was stuck two hours north in my other hometown of Hicklam, taking his mother to the doctor. The dinner in the West Village at Jack's Wife Freda fell squarely in my lap. It's a solid restaurant, which may be the only high point to the evening.
Still, my initial instincts to run far and fast were confirmed the moment I asked the hostess for my table and from behind me, I heard the shrill squeal, “Oh my God, Angie was right. I do love your accent. I'm your date for the night."
I'm sure I rolled my eyes. It was only a matter of time before she asked me to say “shrimp on the barbie.”
I don't know how she knew it was me, other than the accent, but I was on the lookout for a thirty-something brunette. Grayson hadn't been able to remember her name, other than it started with a T and "she was in one of those girl groups, like Fate's Daughter, or something like that." He's not always the best with details. That's more my end.
Now, maybe it's because I'm on my third coldie, or maybe because she's grown on me, I'm not as irritated.
Not in the least.
As she's explained away the impractical shoes and the desire for privacy, as well as the bit with her mum, I'm seeing a vulnerable side that most performers don't let the world see. Her blue eyes sparkle as she talks about her daughter, as well as her desire to have adult time. She's well-groomed and coiffed, yet somehow looks natural at the same time.
Then it hits me. She's not performing. This is Tabitha, pure and unadulterated. She's not on stage. She's not thinking about her group. And she absolutely has no idea that this is any sort of audition. I bet if she did, the walls and the façade would go up in an instant.
Which also means that there's probably no way in hell she's interested in giving up her domestic life for a stint at The Edison this summer.
I feel as if I'm standing at the base of Mount Everest with nowhere to go but up. Remind me to throttle Grayson when I see him again.
Yet, I know The Edison needs this. Her. Last season was a nail-biter if ever there was one. Grayson's mum got in way over her head financially with those renovations, and it's a wonder they—we—didn't lose the theatre lock, stock, and barrel. We actually finished in the black by a larger margin than we ever could've dreamt. We'd be idiots not to harness that momentum by landing a big name for this summer.
Specifically,I'dbe the idiot. I take a beat while the waitress delivers our food. In a former life, I'd been in front of the curtain rather than behind it. Time to dust off those skills and channel my inner Grayson.
"Where are you located normally? Somewhere warm, I take it?" I smile a little, willing my face muscles to relax. Tabitha is striking to look at. I'm surprised, despite her incognito sunglasses, no one recognized her when we came in.
"Southern California."
"Oh, is this your first time in New York?" I know it's not, not with her history, but since she hasn't brought it up, I'm going to play dumb for a bit. Put her at ease.
"Not at all, but I haven't been here in about five years. Not since before Paisley was born."
I tilt my head. What's the deal with the dad? Is the kid going to be an issue this summer? Does the dad live here? "Did you say she's with her dad for three weeks? What'll you get up to in the meantime?"
She shrugs and looks down. "I guess some relaxing, visiting friends. Maybe a spa day or two. Shopping. Definitely shopping. I'm buying boots and warm socks." She nods, as if these things are truly fulfilling. "Anything I can do to keep me from missing Paisley."
"Museums? Broadway shows? Do you like the theatre?"
"Oh, yes. I always flew out to see Angie in her shows. That was before she didHollywood Dance Off!of course."
This is not the first time she's mentioned this Angie person. "Angie?"
"Yeah, Angie. Angie Aliberti? She's one of my best friends, even if I don't get to see her as often as I'd like. I saw her out here inA Chorus Lineand inWest Side Story. She was so perfect as Anita. I think that's what helped her winHollywood Dance Off!, all that Broadway training."
Angie Aliberti is her friend.
Duh. Of course she is. I'm sure all the Backstreet Boys know N'Sync. Obviously the group Angie was in, the Sassy Cats, would know the members of Fate's Daughter. While I've only vaguely heard of Fate's Daughter, I do know of the Sassy Cats. Mostly because of Angie Aliberti. My stomach flips. Angie Aliberti is big time.
Now if I could landher, that would be a beauty. Absolutely great. Also totally out of my league. Way more than The Edison could handle.
But I'm not here to sweet talk Angie Aliberti. "Yes, I've heard of her, natch. I catch a lot of theatre here. It's sort of my thing."
