制霸好莱坞

Although Jenny, a country girl from Alabama, had never been to the Big Apple, Chen Zhen was no stranger to New York. As a wealthy woman, she frequently visited Paris, Milan, Rome, New York, and London. Sometimes she traveled to purchase property, sometimes to accompany her husband on business trips, and sometimes just for leisure. She had lived in New York for quite some time because her husband's family had arranged for her son to be born there.

The last time she came to New York, she stayed in her ex-husband's large apartment on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, but now she had to settle for Brooklyn. Fortunately, the company covered all transportation and accommodation costs for this interview, leaving Jenny only responsible for her meals. Had she been required to pay out-of-pocket, Jenny wasn't sure she would have been able to afford anything other than a place in the Bronx to save money. This was the tightest financial period she had experienced. After purchasing her own car, her expenses had gone up, and she no longer walked her dog, but the salary from "Chicago" had yet to be deposited into her account.

Cesare didn't accompany her to the audition. Jim had his own commitments and wasn't under Cesare's wing. Jenny had to handle the communication with the Broadway audition team, specifically the staff of the Shubert Theater, and continue her training on her own. The "Chicago" audition consisted of three rounds, with a span of about ten to fifteen working days between each round. Cesare had arranged several voice lessons for her, and getting to those lessons was Jenny's responsibility.

This was also Jenny's first encounter with New York's public transportation system. When she took the subway for the first time, she was struck by the advantages of socialism. The subway stations in New York were dirty and disorganized, a sharp contrast to the clean, well-maintained stations of Shanghai and Beijing. The worst part was the lack of signal on the subway lines, which made it difficult for Jenny, who might receive an interview call at any moment, to stay connected.

However, she didn't have the money for a taxi and had no need to rent a car. Since she wasn't sure whether she would pass the audition, Jenny was being extremely frugal. Her only "luxury" in New York was attending a Broadway show—though not "Chicago"—but "The Phantom of the Opera." The "Chicago" cast was on tour and hadn't yet returned to New York. The audition timing was due to the Roxy actress' health issues, who might require surgery upon returning from the tour. For reasons unknown to Jenny, the production chose to recruit Roxy's replacement externally this time.

This was an unusual case. High-profile musicals like "Chicago" typically didn't recruit specific actors from outside. Aspiring actors usually gained a spot on Broadway by first performing in smaller Off-Broadway shows, getting recognized by an agent, and eventually being noticed by the Shubert Theater team. From there, they might earn a role. If they performed well, it might take up to a year before they could be considered for Roxy's role. With a show like "Chicago," which performed eight times a week (and sometimes even twice a day during peak seasons), there was always the chance that a performer would need to fill in for Roxy.

After several years of working hard in supporting roles, it was possible for an actor to become a permanent part of the cast. But on Broadway, most leading actors had spent five years or more honing their skills. This casting process ensured that only the most seasoned, stable actors would take the stage, but it also led to the challenge of keeping talented newcomers from moving on to other, more lucrative opportunities outside the theater.

Jenny was aware that this year's "Chicago" recruitment had nothing to do with Roxy's regular role. She didn't understand the whole process, but she was determined to go through with the audition, albeit with some confusion.

The initial interview had been conducted via resumes and videos, narrowing the group of hopefuls down to hundreds of men and women, all varying in age, ethnicity, and background. Jenny wasn't sure which role they were all aiming for, but she was confident that her appearance would stand out among the others.

The first round of auditions focused on testing basic skills. She sang a song and performed a few dance moves, followed by a series of simple questions. The interview ended quickly, but Jenny had learned an important lesson: many auditions were simply procedural, offering no chance to perform unless you were already selected. In those cases, even with a "golden touch," there was little you could do if you didn't get the opportunity to shine.

Much like a job interview for a programmer, if the interviewer is already satisfied with the qualifications and experience on display, there's little chance a spontaneous performance will sway their decision. Jenny was aware that, just like any other industry, success in the entertainment world wasn't guaranteed by skill alone. There were many factors at play that determined who got the role.

For Jenny, this complexity was an advantage, as it meant she passed the first round of auditions. She began preparing for the second round, taking a short-term class that Cesare had arranged for her. It wasn't a typical class but a one-on-two private training session with only one other student. Her instructor, Ms. Agata Repninna, was a former choreographer for "Chicago" and "The Phantom of the Opera," as well as a friend of Rob's. Jenny didn't dare inquire about the cost of such specialized training, but she was grateful for the opportunity.

Ms. Agata, of Russian descent, was in her late 40s and showing signs of early menopause. She was a harsh but skilled teacher. Jenny, despite being praised in Los Angeles for her dance skills, felt like a beginner under Agata's keen eye. While Agata never voiced her doubts about Jenny's potential, her skeptical expressions spoke volumes.

As for her training partner, a handsome young man who seemed to have connections on Broadway, Jenny didn't get the chance to learn much about him. But after ten days of intensive training, Agata finally brought up Jenny's upcoming audition.

"James should really reconsider this. This year is tough, but there's no need for such quick fixes," Agata muttered, pacing while talking on the phone. "Yes, yes, it could be a great gimmick, but does she have what it takes? When did Broadway start relying on idol culture?" She glanced at Jenny, who froze, feeling the sting of her words. "Okay, I get it. But she needs to impress me first..."

After hanging up, Agata turned to Jenny. "Alright, girl, tonight we go full performance mode. I want you to sing a part from Roxy. You have fifteen minutes to prepare. You know where the soundtrack is."

Jenny took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and centered herself. As the music began, Roxy Hart's persona came alive within her. Roxy's ambition, vanity, and ego surged through her as she sang "Roxie"—a brash and confident song about the thrill of fame. Jenny embodied Roxy's character, performing with an intensity that brought the room to life.

When she finished, she couldn't help but feel a wave of nervousness as she faced Agata and her training partner. But Agata, despite her usual critical demeanor, seemed impressed.

"Your basic skills still need work, but Rob's right, your performance is captivating. You have a unique ability to command attention," Agata admitted, her usual coldness replaced with reluctant praise.

Jenny smiled, relieved. "Thank you," she said, bowing slightly.

In that moment, Jenny realized that musical theater was the perfect medium for her talents. Unlike film, where subtlety was key, the stage demanded an immersive, first-hand experience, and Jenny excelled at that. Musicals allowed her to dive into a role completely, and the audience could feel that connection.

It took her this long to realize it, but now she understood: musicals were her true calling.

She couldn't help but wonder if Cesare had arranged this entire journey to highlight this strength. After all, his ultimate goal wasn't for her to be a Broadway queen—it was something bigger. What was his true purpose in guiding her here?

The answer was something Jenny eagerly awaited to uncover.