the imperial, i was on vacation and went to see "the boy from oz" near the end of the run. i had purchased a discount ticket online before i went but when i got to the packed theatre i found my seat was in the middle of a full row in the orchestra. being 6'6" tall i found that i was not able to sit comfortably in my seat without disturbing the theatre goers next to me and without contorting into some funky yoga-ish position.
about five minutes before the show started and everyone was pretty much seated, one of the ushers - a tall, older african american woman - asked me if i was comfortable. i said no and she asked to follow her. she pulled one of the chairs from the back wall and placed it at the end of the row, allowing me sit comfortably and enjoy the show.
at intermission i thanked her profusely, gave her a $20 tip and we talked briefly about how these theatres while they may look beautiful were built when people were smaller (not just height but girth). i told her i had no problem seeing "wicked" b/c it was a newer space. she said when she sees shows she always asks for an aisle seat and it works out well.
cut to about a year later, the imperial, "dirty rotten scoundrels" i'm sitting in my AISLE seat in the orchestra waiting for the show to begin and feel a tap on my shoulder. the same usher, said "aisle seat, good choice." i smiled. i was amazed that she remembered me, but then again how many 6'6" goofy looking Texans come through that theatre on a regular basis.
Don't f*ck with me fellas. This ain't my first time at the rodeo.
