Here's my account of Anthony's book signing and gig on March 30, 2006:
After my last class, I changed out of my dance gear and checked on the severe weather heading for St. Louis on the internet. It said the severe stuff will hit the area at around 11 PM. I’m thinking that we’ll be getting out by that point from the gig. This will be interesting.
I drove to Wal-Mart to pick up Seth and we started the journey west to St. Louis with Anthony’s “Then Again” playing on the stereos. (I official labeled this song as “The Perfect Song to Start a Long Road Trip With.” It has the perfect get-up-and-go energy.) On the trip, we listened to a mix CD of rock music Seth put together. As I have been getting him acquainted to musical theatre, he has been educating me on different rock bands (he’s a rock musician).
After the CD was finished playing, Seth slept the rest of the journey there since he had been having trouble sleeping the night before. Therefore, no fun discussions to report like last time. Just a quiet drive to St. Louis. I woke him up right before we crossed the Mississippi River to act as my extra set of eyes for the turn offs. We found the Borders with no problems with about 20 minutes to spare. I grabbed my camera equipment (Including a tripod. Yes, I brought a tripod. No tripod-head this time.
My father made fun of the shakiness of the Chicago video. Also, the fact that I was feeling like the official spokesperson for BWW at this signing and that everyone liked the last video, I wanted this video to turn well.). I also picked up my Mark scarf, my umbrella, and my bag of Rent “stuff” (I couldn’t decide what I wanted signed). We, then, went in the Borders.
I really liked this Borders. This one actually has two stories. Yay! More books!
A lady asked if we were here for the signing. We said yes. She asked if we needed to buy anything before hand. We said no and that we brought our items to sign. She gave us our group ticket (we were in group F) and a slip to mark the items we brought with us. Seth asked where the bathroom was and headed upstairs. I went to the coffee-house area to set up the camera.
My first impression was that there weren’t as many people here as there were at the Chicago signing. I’m guessing that there were about 150-170 people. I began looking around for a spot. A woman who worked for the book store announced there were two free seats in the third row. I thrusted my umbrella in the air and saved the two seats (after profusely apologizing to a lady I bumped into . . . who remained offended. *shrugs* Oh, well). I sat down and thought that this is the perfect spot to film the signing. I proceeded to set up the camera and then waited for Seth to come back.
While waiting, blond-haired guy came up to me.
Blond Guy: Will that thing be up the entire time?
Me: Why you ask?
Blond Guy: Well, it’s blocking our view.
Me: (quickly) Oh. I’m so sorry.
I proceeded to shorten the tripod to a point just above people’s heads. I turned back around to the guy.
Me: How’s that?
Blond Guy: Well, . . . when we take our pictures, it will show up.
Me: (apologetically shrugs) Sorry.
If anyone who was back there is reading this, I, again, apologize for blocking your view. I tried my best. However, I wanted to make sure I got a good recording of Anthony’s Q & A and singing.
Seth finally came down the stairs and I waved my scarf at him to gain his attention. . . . Then, he walked right past me to the other side of the bookstore. The lady came back shortly after that and ask if my friend was still coming. I told her that he came down and went another direction. She asked me what he looked like and went to find him. Not too long afterwards, he found me. I asked him where did he go, and he told me he didn’t see me.
Me: I’m the only person here with a camera and tripod, and I’m waving my Mark scarf at you, and you missed me?!
Seth: (sadly) I’m sorry. I’m not very observant.
Me: (smiles) That’s ok.
He complimented me on the spot, and we waited for Anthony.
After awhile, everyone got quiet. Then, we heard a girl scream. (Can I say that girls' screaming make a great warning for when Anthony’s approaching?
) Anthony came in the front door and people turn to clap and scream at his arrival. I started recording. Seth took pictures this time.
Since you guys can see the video, I’ll just type out a couple of my reactions. When Anthony mentioned he needed to shorten his normal book signing process, I thought ~I was wondering how you were going to do the full signing and do the gig at 8 PM~. It also meant that I will not ask my questions. After much research into reports of his signings and deliberation, I came up with two fun questions to ask him. I was planning to ask him these questions after a serious one. With the limited time frame, however, I decided to let people ask more important questions (despite prodding from Seth). I was surprised about the news of him joining the board of Friends In Deed. I thought ~He did? This is the first I’ve heard of this news. Wow! That’s great, Anthony!~. I joined in the applause for that piece of news. I was happy to hear an acting question (How did you keep the material fresh each night for Rent?). Everyone seems to leave those out of their reports, and I was very happy to hear one.
Then he sang his “coffee-house” jazz version of “La Vie Boheme.” I’m very happy with how accurately the video captured the song. Especially the echo effect of the sound system. Anthony was definitely in good voice that night.
Afterwards, Seth and I waited about 20 minutes for our group to be called. Since Seth hadn’t eaten yet, he grabbed a couple of cookies and a Cherry Coke. I put up the tripod and did a quick scan of the room for the video. After the update, I put up the camera (noting that the battery was almost out). I read the information on the back of the ticket. It said Anthony could only sign two items due to time constraints. There were two items I really wanted him to sign, so I prepared them.
Group F was finally called, and we got in line. We noticed that the line was being guided by green papers with arrows taped on the floor. It said, “Anthony Book Singing: Follow The Green Arrows.”
Seth: After the signing, I’m taking one of those with me.
He never got to.
The line snaked around the audio book section. I did a quick look around for the audio version of Anthony’s book. No luck. I dropped my ticket and other items a few times due to the amount of stuff I was carrying (camera case, tripod with a strap, my purse, and the bag with the extra Rent “stuff”). We got to the post-it lady to put our names down for personalizing our items. We only had to wait in the line for 10 minutes (which is nothing compared to the 3 plus hours for the Chicago signing). Right before we got to Anthony, another lady doubled checked our items for preparation and kept the energy up during the wait. She was fun to talk with.
Then, it was our turn at the book signing table. Anthony looked at the post-it note on my Look Around insert.
Anthony: (smiles) You’re [real name]?
Me: (smiles) Yes.
He looked down at the insert to sign it. Then, he became still. He lifted his head back up to me with an expression which was a combination of concentration and uncertainty. His brows were furrowed and his eyes were looking straight at mine.
Anthony: Have we met before?
Me: (smiles and thinks: Score another point for Anthony) Yes. At the Chicago book signing. Mariel from Broadway World.
Anthony nods and looks back down to sign the insert.
I wondered what triggered it. My long, red hair? My face? My voice? My name (doubt it)? The fact he was signing ANOTHER Look Around insert for me, maybe creating a sense of déjà vu?
Anthony: Thank you for coming here.
Me: No problem. (indicates next item to be signed) The next item you’ll sign will definitely bring it back.
After Anthony signed my CD insert, he picked up the next item. It was a copy of the “tango pose” picture I took with him at the Chicago signing. I couldn’t see his expression when he saw it. But I have a feeling that if he was still trying to place me, that picture set off the light bulb.
Then I asked him while he signed my picture:
Me: (right hand gesturing) In the book, you talked about how your uncle lived in southern Illinois. If he still lives there, where does he live?
Now, I WASN’T asking him this question for stalking purposes, but genuine curiosity. (After telling my mother about the night, I realized just how much the question can sound stalkerish.)
He told me where he thinks where his uncle lives. (Sorry, folks. I won’t tell you because I feel it’s something to be left off the public board.) And then, he said he’s not quite sure since he doesn’t keep in contact with his uncle. I told him that we were wondering because we come from southern Illinois.
Then he looks at Seth.
Anthony: And we’ve met before?
This surprised Seth and me.
Seth: Yes. I was with her at Chicago.
Me: (Anthony is signing Seth’s book during this discussion.) He was standing back because he didn’t have anything to sign.
Seth: I am shy.
Anthony: (gives Seth his book and looks at us) Thank you for coming.
Both of us: Thank you.
We put our stuff in my Rent bag and headed out for the car. I put the bags in the trunk. Since we had thirty minutes before the show, we decided to go into the World’s Food Market just two stores down from the Borders. Ever since the Open House “Finger Sandwiches for Anthony” video, both of us have been insanely curious about almond butter. We tried to find it at other places but had no luck. We spent 5 minutes in the store and bought a jar of almond butter. Back in the car, Seth proceeded to open the jar and sniff it’s contents.
Seth: (nose wrinkles) Eww.
He regretted smelling it. I took the jar from him and smelled it myself. I thought it smelt ok. Of course, he can’t believe that I enjoy eating peas. (shrugs)
After I put up the almond butter, I looked up and saw Anthony exit the Borders.
Me: There’s Anthony.
Seth: Anthony wouldn’t come out the front door.
I doubted myself and dismissed the figure until he came closer. When he did, I definitely saw that it was Anthony.
Me: No, it is Anthony.
Seth looks and freaks out. Anthony was headed to the World’s Food Market.
Seth: I need to ask him my “stairs” question.
Seth and I are members of Something Awful Forums. Members have a sort of secret question and response between its members. A few people have asked celebrities the question and have confirmed a few of them of being members (Robin Williams, Steve Martin, etc.). However, the question to any normal person is the most random question anyone has ever heard. The question is definitely a “. . . What?!” one.
I discouraged him from asking Anthony because 1) we needed to get to the historical museum to pick up the tickets and see the gig (especially to see if we have any problems picking up our reserved tickets) and 2) the idea seemed stalkerish to me. So, we drove off to see the Albinokid gig.
This is where I will stop tonight. I have a major paper to work on. I’ll type up my gig report after the paper is done (and edit any grammar and spelling mistakes on this report). Stay tuned, folks, for the next installment.
Mariel
Updated On: 4/1/06 at 09:49 PM
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