Free The Final Act by Bonnie Dee

soon.
    Intermission passed quickly and they took their places for the next act, which began with an exposition song, “Older, Not Wiser”. Denny thought it was the weakest number in the show, although necessary to explain what the characters had done during the intervening years.
    After the opening song and the funeral tribute, the friends talked about old times. Kathleen and Aaron’s attraction still sizzled under the surface. Richard cast pining looks at Kathleen and argued with Zach about ideals. Denny and Logan had their moment to shine in the fiery duet that was their quarrel and their performance was rewarded with loud applause.
    Offstage, Denny patted sweat from his face and watched Elena and Michael’s scene from the wings. The former lovers talked about the past and how their lives diverged. Aaron claimed their relationship never would have worked, but the yearning duet “It’s Not Who We Are” only underscored the fact they were the “destined” couple of the show.
    Musical theater managed to distill the most complex relationships to archetypes, and true love was a must. Maybe that’s why people loved musicals. They made life simple. Denny smiled as he watched Elena and Michael do their magic, eliciting sparks the audience could feel all the way to the highest tier of seats.
    The tension escalated in the next scenes as Kathleen became involved with Richard’s political campaign, covered by journalist, Michael. The three resumed the tense triangle of their college years. Audrey and Jen planned a non-traditional wedding, pushing a hot-button issue that threatened Richard’s campaign if he dared attend. Then Anarchist Zach endangered everyone with a homemade bomb set off during a rally.
    When Aaron still couldn’t give her the emotional commitment she needed, Kathleen left again, but ultimately returned to Aaron, who finally broke down and opened up to her.
    In the final ensemble number, the group was magically intact; even dead Bill and imprisoned Zach were there to sing a reprise of “We Are All”.
    They were at curtain call before Denny knew it. First the chorus then the primary cast members joined hands and bowed in unison. The audience rose to its feet, applauding and whistling. He glanced at Elena on his left, Gretchen on his right. The women shone with the same exhilaration he felt. He squeezed their hands.
    The cast took a final bow before the curtain closed.
    “I love this!” Gretchen squealed, throwing her arms around Denny’s neck. He lifted her in a bear hug, catching a strong whiff of Febreze emanating from her costume that didn’t quite mask the smell of sweat and stage make-up. It was the familiar, beloved scent of theater.
    Everyone milled around the stage for a few moments, embracing and congratulating one another on their performances, then moved to a reception room off the lobby where refreshments were provided for them and their invited guests. When the cast entered the room, the friends and family members applauded.
    The cast members were welcomed by their relatives. Gretchen’s family was the largest. She was the center of a group which included her elderly grandmother, parents, aunts and uncles and several young nephews and nieces. Elena hugged a petite, dark-haired woman, who looked like an older version of herself. Trinka, Bill, Logan and all the chorus members had someone there for them.
    Denny’s searched the room for Tom. His heart lurched when he didn’t see him.
    Michael came up beside him. “He’s not here?”
    “Not yet.” Denny hid his disappointment. “Maybe he missed his flight.”
    “Want to get something to eat? I’m fucking starving.”
    Denny glanced at Michael, suddenly aware he had no guests waiting for him, either. “Sure. Me, too.”
    They headed toward the buffet table, artistically laden with flowers, champagne, cheese, fruit and canapés.
    “I could use something a little more substantial than this,” Michael said, loading up a little