Relly was already scrolling on his phone. The reviews of a new show were always published during the after-party, and they could make or break a production. One bad review and the show could flop.
“Nothing yet,” he said.
A few reporters came over and asked the group questions. Monica was careful not to talk too much. And she used her hands. And acted humble.
Amanda swirled over, beaming with joy. “You might want to know, your first review came out.”
Relly pulled out his phone and scrolled immediately.
“Found it!” Relly read it to the group: “ ‘Quirky young actors of Our Time steal the show… make light of their dark world… brim with talent… beamed onstage… spectacular… brilliant…’ ” He looked up at them and then continued: “ ‘Broadway’s must-see show of the year!’ ”
They formed a tight circle and hugged one another.
“Yes, yes, show of the year. Of course it is!” Artie said, coming over to congratulate them. “Was there ever any doubt? Ha!” Artie’s brow was sweating.
There had been a whole lot of doubt. And fear. Fear will get you every time. Until you meet it face-to-face and decide fear is not who you are. Fear is not a theater or a curse or a legacy. It’s just a feeling you get. The same as courage. It’s just a choice.
In the end, it was Artie who had flown Monica’s family out from California to New York City—with some begging from Monica’s castmates. And it was Artie who had slipped Monica the key. Why? Because he saw a lot of himself in her, and he knew she wouldn’t quit until she found the safe, uncovered the mystery and the story behind the Ethel Merman, and broke the curse. The one thing he didn’t quite know was how the missing music would—or if it even could—break the curse, until he heard Monica sing.
And the sale of the Ethel Merman? Just a marketing stunt. The greedy developer who wants to buy a historic theater currently showcasing a musical about a greedy developer? Brilliant.
So it’s true: there were a few monsters under the bed. Some of the things that happened at the Ethel Merman probably happened because of coincidence. People slam doors. Fires in wig rooms happen. Beams come crashing down under the weight of water. Actors trip and fall. Lights in old theaters flicker. A lot also has to do with the way you tell the story. Especially on Broadway.
Acknowledgments
The most important thing I have learned while working in the theater is that the show must go on no matter what… and putting up a memorable performance takes a Fearless Squad. I’m so grateful to the people who are part of mine.
I want to shine the spotlight on my grandma Marie Belle Carriere for sharing her love of theater and Broadway belters with me. My parents, Paul and Robin Gonzalez, first, for naming me after the Barry Manilow hit; second, for buying me a karaoke machine; and third, for carrying it anywhere and everywhere that someone would let me sing. My beautiful sister, Monica, who let me wear sequins and stand in the front to sing at all of her piano recitals. My brother, Anthony, for attending ALL of my performances growing up and for watching the movie Annie on laser disc with me hundreds of times.
Gracias a mis Abuelos por sacrificar tanto para darnos una vida meior.
Thank you to my guide, Brin Stevens. I knew from our first conversation at Joe Allen’s, where I never stopped talking, that you would teach me so much and that we would never run out of things to talk about. Ever.
A big heartfelt thank-you to my agent, Jessica Regel, for believing in these characters and the magic of Broadway. Carey Albertine and Saira Rao at In This Together Media for encouraging and challenging me to go further.
My incredible editor, Alyson Heller, for your wisdom and dedication. Thank you, Karen Sherman, for your exquisite attention to the details. And thank you to Geraldine Rodriguez for creating an incredible book cover.
To the entire team at Aladdin. You guys are the best!
Thank you, Tom Kitt, for cowriting the song “Finally Found” with me! What a dream!
Thank you to my friend and confidant Lou D’Ambrosio for your endless support and encouragement and all that you do to help me soar.
Thank you, Sandy Jacobs, for believing in me all these years and helping to make so many things happen!
Thank you, Mark Bonchek, for being so generous with your wonderful mind and literally being there the very moment we created Fearless Squad.
Thank you to everyone in the Broadway community. From the producers, directors, casting directors, choreographers, designers, orchestrators, musicians, actors, stage crew, ushers, porters. I love you all.
To my best friend, Darrell (Relly) Grand Moultrie, for your integrity and honesty always. To my right hand (wo)man, Alexa D’Ambrosio, thank you for all you do.
To my husband, Douglas Melini, you are my rock and biggest motivator.
To my daughter, Maribelle, te quiero hasta la luna.
About the Author
AUTHOR PHOTOGRAPH COPYRIGHT © 2021 BY TED ELY
Mandy Gonzalez possesses one of the most powerful and versatile contemporary voices of our time. Currently starring in the megahit Hamilton as Angelica Schuyler, Mandy also originated and starred as Nina Rosario in the Tony Award–winning Broadway musical In the Heights, for which she received a Drama Desk Award. Mandy also starred as Elphaba in the Broadway production of Wicked, blowing the roof off of New York City’s Gershwin Theatre each night as she belted out the signature song, “Defying Gravity.”
Mandy is a Warner Music artist and recently released her debut album, Fearless, which debuted at number thirteen on the iTunes pop charts. Mandy has performed with symphonies around the world and recently made her Carnegie Hall debut with the New York Pops.
Mandy is the proud founder of #FearlessSquad—a social media movement for inclusiveness and positivity. #FearlessSquad connects millions of people around the world, encourages them to be their best selves, and helps them empower one another.
Mandy is also an author—she recently published a widely cited article in the Harvard Business Review on how to overcome one’s fear of public speaking and be more confident in communications and leadership.
Aladdin
Simon & Schuster, New York
Visit us at simonandschuster.com/kids
www.SimonandSchuster.com/Authors/Mandy-Gonzalez
This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
ALADDIN
An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division
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www.SimonandSchuster.com
First Aladdin hardcover edition April 2021
Text copyright © 2021 by In This Together Media, LLC and Mandy Gonzalez
Jacket illustrations copyright © 2021 by Geraldine Rodriguez
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Designed by Laura Lyn DiSiena
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Gonzalez, Mandy, author.
Title: Fearless / by Mandy Gonzalez.
Description: First Aladdin hardcover edition. | New York : Aladdin, 2021. | Series: [Fearless series ; 1] | Audience: Ages 8 to 12. | Summary: While rehearsing what may be the last show in the Ethel Merman Theater, twelve-year-o
ld Monica Garcia and other cast members are locked in and must try to appease a ghost and reverse a curse.
Identifiers: LCCN 2020052779 (print) | LCCN 2020052780 (eBook) | ISBN 9781534468955 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781534468979 (eBook)
Subjects: CYAC: Musical theater—Fiction. | Actors and actresses—Fiction. | Blessing and cursing—Fiction. | Haunted places—Fiction. | Theaters—Fiction. | New York (N.Y.)—Fiction.
Classification: LCC PZ7.1.G6528 Fe 2021 (print) | LCC PZ7.1.G6528 (eBook) | DDC [Fic]—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020052779
LC eBook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020052780
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