(no subject)
mmk here are the rest of the pictures and the de-red-eyed one of me and michael.
Piangi, a.k.a. John Whitney
The woman kneeling with the child is Christine, a.k.a. Marie Danvers
The blonde is Kim Stengel who played Carlotta, and to her left is Marie Danvers again. Marie really really really liked my dress and wouldn't stop saying how fabulous it was. She said, "Oh, that's such a Christine dress! A little short for her time period, but she would certainly be wearing something like that!" She wasn't even addressing me...She was talking to the people around us. Also, on stage, she looked just like Maya Rudolph (I think that's her last name) from Saturday Night Live.
Umm...some people. My sister was trying to get a picture of me and Marie, but couldn't. See me escaping in the background?
The sweaty-looking guy with the green tank top and the backpack is Gary Mauer, the Phantom. I wouldn't have recognized him if I hadn't seen him on the news. He looks NOTHING like his headshot.
XD!!!!!!!! I made an audible gasping sound when I saw him come out of the door and had to actually take a step backwards before rushing over there. For those of you who don't know, that is Michael Shawn Lewis, who portrayed Raoul. He actually made me like that character for the first time in my life. Before, I always considered him a bit of a pansy and rather cliche.
There, no red eye. After retouching it, I'm starting to wonder if he actually is a little gray. I honestly couldn't tell in that lighting. In the other picture, he looks completely normal. I'm really thinking it's the flash, but who knows. I'll just have to check it out again. XD He was so nice. I ran up to him and told him I had had the pleasure of seeing him perform in New York last spring (with those exact words). He looked rather surprised and confused. I told him I was really glad I got to see him again and loved his performance and wondered if I could possibly get a picture with him. He was so happy to oblige. I like nice people. They make me happy. I also like pretty men (Look at that smile!). They make me v. happy. We small-talked ("How'd you like tonight's performance?" "Oh, it was fabulous!" "I'm so glad you enjoyed it!" "Of course!") Then a lady borrowed my pen to get his autograph so I got to stand there a little longer XD He was so confused trying to figure out who to give it back to, and he looked at me and laughed this very happy laugh and smiled at me, and then I died a little inside.
On to the next picture.
Phantom guy again. Also, my sister's finger made a guest appearance. It was at this point in reviewing the pictures that I realized that he wasn't sweaty. His hair is wet from removing the stage make-up goopy stuff. This is when I thought that maybe the "gray" on Michael was maybe cold cream or whatever he used to remove his hair-darkener, but I really don't think a pro would be that careless when he knew he'd have to go deal with fans. Although Gary did say, "Whoa!" when he came out and saw how many people were waiting. Hmm. I still think it was the flash.
ENOUGH OF THIS! Next picture.
I love my sister. She was trying so hard to get pictures of him for me. Now I will forever have an image of his shoulders. On the right edge of the picture is my mom, for those who haven't met her.
Me and the Phantom. I tried making small talk about the silver Sharpie that he already had on him by saying, "Hey! You come prepared! That's a great idea." He looked at me and said in a rather patronizing way, "Yes, well because of all the black on the programs and Playbills, it's a good idea to have a silver Sharpie with you." I just kind of blinked at him and said thanks as I took my Playbill back. I was just amused at the fact that he had a writing utensil on him since none of the other actors did. Maybe that preparedness for screaming fans should have let me in a little on the nature of his character.
Anyhoo, the performance was great. Much better Christine than when I saw it before. The Phantom wasn't quite as good as Hugh Panaro, but he grew on me. He was at least a good actor. Of course Raoul was fabulous :) Meg had the largest eyes and longest neck I've ever seen. Madame Giry was fabulous. Carlotta and Piangi had incredible voices. The best though, were Andre and Firmin. They completely stole the show. We had an understudy for Firmin, but he was still awesome. Andre was fantastic. Extremely comical and just great. I saw him (D.C. Anderson) after the show, but my sister was having trouble figuring out my camera. By the time I could show her, he was running off with his compatriots, who I think might have included John Kuether, the understudy for Firmin.
One of the best parts, I must say, was the fact that they included *all* of the technical aspects of the show that I can remember them having on Broadway. I know I was unconscious for part of it, but I don't think I missed much in that respect. Of course they have the chandelier, but I did not in the least expect the descending staircase. I don't want to give anything away for those who haven't seen it but are going to soon.
And a note to you guys: wait at the stage door. I know I told you that already, but it will just be so much better for you. It would have been impossible for us to get out of the parking garage if we hadn't waited, and I'm so glad that my mom and sister made me get over my embarassed nervousness and do it. I'm always jittery about bothering actors. At the same time, though, I know they like it when you can genuinely thank them for their hard work and all the effort and time they put into these performances. I'm so glad I got to talk to everyone I did. It made me feel good inside to say thanks. Even if Gary Mauer talked down to me.
And tell me honestly. Do I always look like I'm grimacing when I smile????
Piangi, a.k.a. John Whitney
The woman kneeling with the child is Christine, a.k.a. Marie Danvers
The blonde is Kim Stengel who played Carlotta, and to her left is Marie Danvers again. Marie really really really liked my dress and wouldn't stop saying how fabulous it was. She said, "Oh, that's such a Christine dress! A little short for her time period, but she would certainly be wearing something like that!" She wasn't even addressing me...She was talking to the people around us. Also, on stage, she looked just like Maya Rudolph (I think that's her last name) from Saturday Night Live.
Umm...some people. My sister was trying to get a picture of me and Marie, but couldn't. See me escaping in the background?
The sweaty-looking guy with the green tank top and the backpack is Gary Mauer, the Phantom. I wouldn't have recognized him if I hadn't seen him on the news. He looks NOTHING like his headshot.
XD!!!!!!!! I made an audible gasping sound when I saw him come out of the door and had to actually take a step backwards before rushing over there. For those of you who don't know, that is Michael Shawn Lewis, who portrayed Raoul. He actually made me like that character for the first time in my life. Before, I always considered him a bit of a pansy and rather cliche.
There, no red eye. After retouching it, I'm starting to wonder if he actually is a little gray. I honestly couldn't tell in that lighting. In the other picture, he looks completely normal. I'm really thinking it's the flash, but who knows. I'll just have to check it out again. XD He was so nice. I ran up to him and told him I had had the pleasure of seeing him perform in New York last spring (with those exact words). He looked rather surprised and confused. I told him I was really glad I got to see him again and loved his performance and wondered if I could possibly get a picture with him. He was so happy to oblige. I like nice people. They make me happy. I also like pretty men (Look at that smile!). They make me v. happy. We small-talked ("How'd you like tonight's performance?" "Oh, it was fabulous!" "I'm so glad you enjoyed it!" "Of course!") Then a lady borrowed my pen to get his autograph so I got to stand there a little longer XD He was so confused trying to figure out who to give it back to, and he looked at me and laughed this very happy laugh and smiled at me, and then I died a little inside.
On to the next picture.
Phantom guy again. Also, my sister's finger made a guest appearance. It was at this point in reviewing the pictures that I realized that he wasn't sweaty. His hair is wet from removing the stage make-up goopy stuff. This is when I thought that maybe the "gray" on Michael was maybe cold cream or whatever he used to remove his hair-darkener, but I really don't think a pro would be that careless when he knew he'd have to go deal with fans. Although Gary did say, "Whoa!" when he came out and saw how many people were waiting. Hmm. I still think it was the flash.
ENOUGH OF THIS! Next picture.
I love my sister. She was trying so hard to get pictures of him for me. Now I will forever have an image of his shoulders. On the right edge of the picture is my mom, for those who haven't met her.
Me and the Phantom. I tried making small talk about the silver Sharpie that he already had on him by saying, "Hey! You come prepared! That's a great idea." He looked at me and said in a rather patronizing way, "Yes, well because of all the black on the programs and Playbills, it's a good idea to have a silver Sharpie with you." I just kind of blinked at him and said thanks as I took my Playbill back. I was just amused at the fact that he had a writing utensil on him since none of the other actors did. Maybe that preparedness for screaming fans should have let me in a little on the nature of his character.
Anyhoo, the performance was great. Much better Christine than when I saw it before. The Phantom wasn't quite as good as Hugh Panaro, but he grew on me. He was at least a good actor. Of course Raoul was fabulous :) Meg had the largest eyes and longest neck I've ever seen. Madame Giry was fabulous. Carlotta and Piangi had incredible voices. The best though, were Andre and Firmin. They completely stole the show. We had an understudy for Firmin, but he was still awesome. Andre was fantastic. Extremely comical and just great. I saw him (D.C. Anderson) after the show, but my sister was having trouble figuring out my camera. By the time I could show her, he was running off with his compatriots, who I think might have included John Kuether, the understudy for Firmin.
One of the best parts, I must say, was the fact that they included *all* of the technical aspects of the show that I can remember them having on Broadway. I know I was unconscious for part of it, but I don't think I missed much in that respect. Of course they have the chandelier, but I did not in the least expect the descending staircase. I don't want to give anything away for those who haven't seen it but are going to soon.
And a note to you guys: wait at the stage door. I know I told you that already, but it will just be so much better for you. It would have been impossible for us to get out of the parking garage if we hadn't waited, and I'm so glad that my mom and sister made me get over my embarassed nervousness and do it. I'm always jittery about bothering actors. At the same time, though, I know they like it when you can genuinely thank them for their hard work and all the effort and time they put into these performances. I'm so glad I got to talk to everyone I did. It made me feel good inside to say thanks. Even if Gary Mauer talked down to me.
And tell me honestly. Do I always look like I'm grimacing when I smile????