Summer in the City

I got back last night from New York and Canada. Spending my summer in New York City was the greatest experience of my life (except for Israel). I became a real New Yorker. I saw a bunch of shows and met a bunch of stars. With my cousins I saw Gypsy (finally!!!) and A Catered Affair. The latter was not that good and was really the only show I've ever not liked. The cast was great though, I met Harvey Fierstein and he was really nice. Gypsy was..... the most incredible thing I've ever seen. Well, Patti was. The show was incredible but Patti is Patti. Laura Benanti and Boyd Gaines also gave exceptional performances as Herbie and Louise. All three completely deserved their Tony's. Patti's "Rose's Turn" sucked the oxygen out of my body... literally. The whole time I was practically hyperventilating while crying and trying to remain conscious. I barely remember it ,which is unfortunate, because it was like a dream. I went to the stage door and scared Patti's son but got autographs from both Patti and her son. Laura Benanti didn't come out. :( Patti was very nice and talked to me. Of course I had no clue what she was saying because the woman speaks at 100 mph. So that was Gypsy. Oh and Leigh Ann Larkin would make an amazing Glinda. On to Juilliard....

The program was intense but the greatest thing that ever happend to me. I found myself and lifelong friends there. The passion and commitment to the work was just incredible. Living at Lincoln Center wasn't that bad either. ;-) Which brings me to... Broadway encounters! We were walking back to Juilliard for dinner one day when Paulo Szot (Tony Award winner for South Pacific) walks by on his cell phone. Normally I'm very calm at the stage door when meeting actors. Never had I seen one on the street before. The shock and adrenaline caused me to freak out yelling "Oh my gawd! Congrats! I love you!!!!!" down the street. He thanked me and was on his way. That was all I talked about the rest of the day. The next day were eating lunch at the studios when my friend, Marissa, comes in like "The guy from Sunday in the Park With George is at the elevator!" I peeked outside the door and saw Tony Award nominee Daniel Evans waiting for the elevator. I got a picture and an autograph and told him I would see the show but it closed the next week. :( I went the next week without seeing a single star. I was convinced it was making up for seeing two the previous week. We went to a comedy club that night and were walking home and as I was saying "i havent seen any stars..." Matthew Morrison (South Pacific, Light in the Piazza, Hairspray) walks by so I immediatly got a picture and a hug. We will be married. You'll see... The next week we saw Spring Awakening (amazing!) and coming home from the stage door of that, I run into my good friend Paulo Szot again. Much calmer, we chat and I apologize for freaking out and we got a picture. He actually remembered me! So Kelli O'Hara is the big star of South Pacific and also my hero along with Patti LuPone. I've dreamed of meeting her on the street since forever and I figured I was bound to run into her since I lived where she worked. Walking to the bus stop I happen to look at the sidewalk on the other side of the street. Kelli O'hara was walking down the street. I froze and tried to comprehend what was happening. Then I started crying. I didn't meet her but just seeing her was enough. :) When going to see August: Osage County, we sprinted to see Bernadette Peters at her annual Broadway Barks. We did. Which caused Bernadette-obsessed Hayley to freak and skip the show to go to Broadway Barks. The show was awesome btw. Our original musical, 'Beyond the River' turned out very interesting. I got a song (Mad About the Boy) and rocked it. STI was all amazing so thanks to Allyn, John, Jennica, Nick, Steven, Heidi, David, Alexandra, Michael, Dean, Leilani, Gabriella, Lavina, McKenna, Lindsey, Shiela, Christian, Greg, Kevin, June, Susan, Sarah and Jesca for making it all possible. And thank you to the amazing friends I made. I love you guys sooooo much and I hope we can all room together when we're starving artists, baby!!!!!!