Fangirl Flashback: A spring night's journey to Penn Station

One of my favorite memories in NYC was on a warm yet breezy night in June 2004.  I often think of that night around this time of year.  It was one of those nights that couldn't be replicated if I tried.  That's what I love about the city:  you never quite know how exciting a simple night can become.

I made it a solo evening in the city.  The brilliant actor Martin Moran was performing his one man show based on his brave memoir The Tricky Part.

It's excellent, and I highly recommend the read.  I knew it would be one of those intimate shows that would make me want to be alone afterwards, so I didn't ask any friends if they wanted to come with me.  I stayed for the question and answer session but remained quiet because I just wasn't ready to leave my seat.  All I wanted to do was give the man a hug for being so exposed and honest, yet at peace.  I didn't wait to say hi afterwards because I felt like anything I said would be ridiculous.  Actually, I don't think I've ever said hi to him, not even after Cabaret.  He's one of those few actors that leaves me tongue-tied.

I left the theatre and started making the unfamiliar trek back to Penn Station.  I normally didn't go to see off-Broadway shows, so I usually never went beyond Lincoln Center.  At least I knew to go south and that I would pass a few of the 1-2-3 subway stops along the way.  This was the time of flip phones with no internet, therefore battery usage lasted longer.

The show let out early, so it was still pretty dusky outside.  I was pondering just how far I would walk and if my shoes would hold out.  The show was still running through my mind, so I was in no hurry.  As I started making my way through the 60s, I looked up and saw a very familiar face coming towards me.  He looked me up and down and smiled.  And then I realized that I was just checked out in passing by Evan Handler, best known at the time as Harry Goldenblatt from Sex and the City.

I swear to it.  I started laughing and called my mom.

One of my favorite things to do in the city was call my mom after a show.  She was bedridden and couldn't get out to see shows with me, but she lived vicariously through me and my experiences.  We listened to showtunes and watched as many clips as we could and giggled over actors.  Naturally, I had to tell her what just happened.  By that point, the dark sky was setting in and the buildings were lighting up.  The breeze felt amazing, and the city was quiet yet bustling on that Monday night.  I knew I had to walk the whole way to Penn.  She was a little worried about me, as a mother does, but I reassured her that I was in probably one of the safest areas of the whole city and knew what I was doing.

We stayed chatting on the phone as I kept walking.  I knew it made her feel better, and I also enjoyed having her "with" me on such a beautiful night.  I made it past Columbus Circle, and it started getting a lot darker.  I was passing 54th Street when two men made a right in front of me.  I looked at the one on my right and almost fell down.

I'm not kidding, I cupped my mouth and started whispering in the phone "MOM OMG I THINK CHRISTOPHER WALKEN IS IN FRONT OF ME."  I got a little closer to try and hear his vocal pattern, and yeah....yeah.  He must have just come from seeing Assassins.  I was so excited to be in the presence of such greatness, but I had to be as quiet as possible.  They went in a different direction, and I practically danced through Times Square.  

It was such a random night.  It was such a random and beautiful Monday night in New York City.  It's times like those that I wish I lived in closer proximity to have experiences like those more often.  But hey, it makes the times I do go all the more special.  

First themed post....*drumroll please*

I'm putting my own spin on the common Throwback Thursday.  Welcome to....

FANGIRL FLASHBACK FRIDAY!!

I've had many celebrity interactions since the year 2001, and I think it would be fun to share those stories.  Much of these experiences happened at stage doors, concerts, and conventions, and sometimes they were completely random.  

I'm not looking to dig up gossip or talk trash, but I will be honest.  Some people may be A-listers, some people may be obscure.  I have pictures, detailed memories, and a lot of fondness.  I can still laugh even if it wasn't the friendliest interaction.  One thing I've learned over the years is that celebrities are human beings.  

This week's Entertainment Weekly Pop Culture Personality Test was taken by Matthew Morrison, and I think he's a good person to kick off this segment.  I'm also kind of bursting at the seams that we both saw Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade 7-8 times in the theatre and that we both still sing to New Kids on the Block.  Hey, we're right around the same age, it makes sense.  

Ha, nice freeze frame.

I first saw Morrison in The Rocky Horror Show revival on Broadway near the end of its run in 2001.  He was a Phantom kid and had a big fro and lots of eyeliner, black lipstick, and leather pants.  I called him Curly Haired Hot Guy from Rocky.  When he fell into the role of Link Larkin in Hairspray, I started freaking out, especially because it was so hard to get tickets.  I happened to get lucky and bought one for half price from a desperate lady when I was in the TKTS line.  The whole original cast was there that night except for Morrison.  I still have irrational dislike for his poor understudy John Hill.  I sucked it up and bought a full price ticket for a few months later.  He was there, and the angels sang.  Well, that might have been my pants.  It was even more joyous because I got to see Shoshana Bean as Tracy, and she was just fabulous.  Put it this way-  when a guy as hot and talented as Matt Morrison falls in love with a big girl 8 times a week, I'm gonna fall in love.  Hell, even Zac Efron got a pass from me in the movie version, but no one beats Matt as Link. 

This is a rather long introduction, but I feel it's necessary since he's made it so big as Will Schuester on Glee.  I stopped watching after the 2nd season, partially because I was sad that he essentially isn't more than an overly eager and oblivious douche who loves Journey.  I try not to pay much attention to tabloids and blind items, but people often do change when they become rich and famous.  I prefer the old days of swooning outside Broadway theatres and searching for photos and footage.  It was fun to see him briefly in the movies Music & Lyrics and Dan In Real Life which may have resulted in me bouncing in my seat while loudly whispering MattyMorrisonMattyMorrison!!!  I feel bad that I didn't see him in anything onstage after Hairspray, but as I had to be choosy with my shows (living two hours away with limited disposable income will do that to a person), I ended up passing on The Light In the Piazza and South Pacific.  I know, I know.  I kind of regret that, but I just couldn't justify potentially falling asleep for that ticket price.  I really like him as an actor, but there are only a select few that I will do anything to see in a show.  

I have a few shots from 2002.  One day I'll scan pix, but for now, the high quality phone shots will do!

That is some damn nice hair.

I'll mostly be cutting myself out of pictures, but you can have a glimpse.  This was during the Broadway Flea Market when he gave me a big ole "Hey, how YOU doin'" when I came up.  I don't care if he's a charmer, that still makes me feel so good.  OhgodletmebeyourTracy.

It was fun to say "Bitches, I saw him first," but now I just enjoy the nostalgia.  However, I think it's time to shuffle up the playlist and move the swoonworthy "It Takes Two" back into the top ten most played songs.