of their shoulders. “Father, we lift up Bailey Flanigan to You. She is nervous, as well she should be. For it is only in our nervousness and inability that we find strength to succeed in You.”
Bailey smiled and the feeling eased her nerves. She loved the Kellers, the way they took care of her and treated her like their own daughter.
Bob continued, asking God to stand guard over Bailey throughout the night, as she performed her part and as she made an impression on the producers and director. “She is prepared, Lord … now go with her and help her shine. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
The couple exchanged a look, and Betty gave Bailey a hurried grin. “Bob used to pray for us that way, back when we first met. We were in the same show on Broadway, and Bob figured we needed all the prayer we could get.” She smiled at her husband. “So we prayed together every night before we went on.”
Another piece of this couple’s story, a reason why they shared such a happy marriage. Bailey wasn’t surprised that they prayed together. “Thanks, Bob … I need to pray every night too. For sure, that much.”
Bob and Betty walked her to the theater, and along the way they bought her three long-stemmed white roses. “Because I just know you’re going to be a triple threat.” Betty gave her a quick hug. When they reached the front of the theater, the couple bought tickets and walked her to the stage door. Francesca Tilly was very aware of the empty seats. She told them at every rehearsal that if they didn’t keep it fun, if people didn’t feel welcomed to the sixties, then she couldn’t guarantee how long the show would stay open.
“Should I be worried? That there are still open seats?” Bailey paused near the stage door and searched the eyes of her new friends.
“No, dear.” Betty smiled and shook her head. “They won’t close Hairspray for a very long time. Maybe not ever.”
“I hope not. I hadn’t really thought about it until now.” Bailey stood a little straighter and took a deep breath. “Well, … I guess this is it.”
“You’ll be perfect.” Betty leaned close and kissed her cheek. “Go get ‘em.”
“Thank you.” Bailey searched the older woman’s eyes. “You’re a gift from God, Betty.” She turned to Betty’s husband. “You too, Bob. I don’t know if I would’ve survived those rehearsals if it weren’t for you.”
“Nah,” Betty waved off the compliment. “Just doing our job. You’d do the same thing if you were in our place.”
Bailey bid the two of them goodbye and walked across the backstage toward the girls’ dressing room. The couple planned to go home after the performance, since Bailey was going out for pizza with the cast. She’d catch a cab back home — something they all agreed was a safe choice. The costume room was empty as Bailey stepped inside and she realized she was a little early. But that was perfect. She needed this time to focus, to go over the songs and dance moves one more time in her head.
On a long clothes rack, she found a costume bag with her name pinned to it. A thrill ran through her veins as she unzipped it and looked at the two dresses inside. They were both adorable. For most scenes she would wear the white dress trimmed in pink with a big pink sash and matching pink socks. Bailey was to wear her hair in a single ponytail, with a pink ribbon that hung the length of it. She found a place in front of the mirror and plugged in her curling iron. When she was finished turning her long hair into ringlets, she tied her ribbon and was about to spray the style in place when Chrissy walked into the dressing room.
“Hi.” Bailey could barely contain her excitement. She was the only member of the cast whose first show was tonight. To everyone else it might have been just another night on Broadway, but certainly not to Bailey.
“Hey.” Chrissy looked surprised to see her. “That’s right …” She looked Bailey over and grinned. “It’s your first night.”
“It is.” Bailey clutched her hands together, her eyes wide. “I’m praying I won’t mess up.”
“Come on, Bailey.” Chrissy had bleached blond hair and too-thin long legs and she played an ensemble role, same as Bailey. And like Bailey, she understudied for one of the lead roles — the role of Amber. “You give