I first met Christy Altomare at the Anastasia stage door while the show was in previews on Broadway. She was one of the warmest, kindest people I have ever met. I saw the show many more times when it was on Broadway, and befriended a lot of other fans of the show through it. Throughout the run, Christy and I got to know each other more, and she ended up bringing me backstage four times throughout the run (each time becoming more informal). Also, she ALWAYS gave me food when I came backstage. Sometimes it was candy, sometimes it was dip, sometimes it was salad. But she always gave me food.
To this day, Christy and I are still very close, have helped each other get through the pandemic, and are planning to get together next month, when I visit the city for the first time in 20 months. I know it may sound unbelievable that what was initially a stage door greeting could evolve into Christy becoming one of my best friends, but that's how it happened. And I am incredibly grateful to have her in my life.
