Well... I finally got to meet my idol, Patti LuPone. I went to see her in Gypsy. I had the tickets for awhile and then hours before the show I was scared that something was going to prevent me from going. I thought I might get knifed on the subway platform, then I thought I might fall onto the tracks, then I thought the train would derail and we'd get stuck for hours. When the subway arrived to my stop without incident my paranoia turned to getting hit by a bus while crossing the street to the theatre. (Ironically Gypsy ads are on every bus in town at the moment, so she would have literally been the one to do me in.) I have been waiting to see her perform in a role like Mama Rose that is as larger than life as she is since my father bought me the original Broadway Evita soundtrack when I was 13 years old. I did get to see her in Sweeney Todd a couple of years ago, and she was amazing. But a true LuPone fan wants to see his girl really belt it and go there. And she did. At several points throughout the show I thought I might have a stroke.
I decided to wait for her after the show to meet her. I was scared. I had dreamt of this moment forever. I planned something quick and witty resulting in us making brunch plans and afterwards going to Tiffany to buy BFF heart necklaces. I'm waiting at the stage door. I am in a sea of fellow faggots. Faggots of all ages, shapes, sizes. It felt like an audition where you see 100 variations of your same type all going for the same part. We all were up for the role of Patti's main gay... She emerges. And she immediately makes a b-line and walks straight up to me. Like a magnet. She picked me! I got the part! We're face to face, she's peering into me. Deep. Looking into my soul. It wasn't a just a look. She's looking inside me. It's as if she knew. She knew that I have been wearing white in my show just as she wore white in her cabaret show in the '80s. She knew that I listen to her on my ipod before every important gig, audition or taping where I need to get there and deliver. She knew I had her Evita poster framed and hanging up in my dorm room in college when I was convinced I was straight. She knew. And I was completely powerless. She zapped me of everything. All I could do was remain motionless and speechless. I was clutching the Gypsy poster I bought at intermission. Total tourist, I know. But I didn't care. She makes me twelve years old again and full of hope. She looked at me as if to say "...alright Danny, I'm here... now what?... NOW WHAT?" - But I was frozen. Without words, and with a knowing glance, she very sassily grabbed my poster, signed it, and moved on to the next gay. I snapped out of it, no one's going to take my part away from me, and yelled "Patti THANK YOU! I ADORE YOU!" She signed a couple more things for the other gays and hopped into the chauferred black tinted window Escalade that was waiting for her and rode off into the night.
I considered calling an ambulance for medical attention but instead I opted to text every friend I have over a Starbucks iced coffee and a cab home. I thought I might pass away that night. I didn't. But I'm still here. And I want a do-over!
A very funny thing happened at my show On the Rocks last night. (What?! Something funny happened at a comedy show??) I had Raissa Katona Bennett on. She's fabulous! What a voice and what a doll! Raissa currently has her own cabaret show running at the Metropolitan room that is getting rave reviews left and right. I'm going this weekend. She did a couple of numbers from her new show. Now, Raissa was in the Broadway production of Phantom for a few years and even played the starring role of Christine during her tenure there. I could NOT have had her on my show without having her do a few bars of Christine. So after she did her planned numbers, I went back onstage and totally put her on the spot and got the audience riled up so that there was no way she could deny us. I knew she was a pro and would handle it with ease - even if she hated me for it after the show, I knew it would make for a magical moment for the audience. She obliged but made me yell "sing for meeeeee" a la the Phantom while she did her thing. And she did it so well. She hit that high whatever the hell high note it is and it was sooooooo cool and so much fun! Chandeliers did not fall but they easily could have. The crowd went nuts. She's a terriffic sport and has a very fun sense of humor and loved it. The risk paid off. We're still friends.
Incidentally, Raissa told me about her first encounter with her #1. She met Barbara Cook years ago and was sobbing uncontrollably and could not form words when she met her. And this was during her run in Phantom. She was already an accomplished performer herself and was still shaken! But years later, a friend arranged for a "do-over." She got to meet Barbara again. This time she didn't cry and the two had a wonderful conversation for over an hour.
Raissa assured me that I too will one day get my "do-over."
Love you,
Danny
