This is a little off the subject of what the post has turned into, but I'd like to share my experience from this past weekend. I had been dying to see DEH since the moment that little tiny audio clip of waving through a window was released, what feels like eons ago. I didn't think I'd ever actually be able to go to New York, so I just marveled at it without letting myself think I'd ever get to see it. Well, somehow it happened. The cards fell into place and I had tickets for the matinee on 6/25. As I was standing in line to be let into the theater I learned that Ben was out that day. A girl standing across from me, who I happened to meet at great comet's stage door the night before, told me. At first I literally thought she was joking, since we had talked about the chances of him calling out. Well, she wasn't so my mind immediately went to "of course this would happen to me!" and honestly for a little while I was heartbroken. I love Ben Platt and it had been a dream to see him perform as Evan, but then I realized that I loved the show for what it is too, not just for Ben. Suddenly I became very excited to see Colton, and let me tell you, he was absolutely fantastic. He shared some of the same mannerisms of Ben (from what I've seen of videos), but he definetly put his own spin on the role. He did a little more stuttering instead of just talking very fast, and he still did a lot of the ticks and things Ben does. He was absolutely fantastic and I feel bad for ever even doubting he wouldn't live up to Ben. He did mess up his lines two or three times, but it totally went with the stuttering character trait, and I'm sure most people didn't even notice.
So this is where the crazy?? fun?? part of the story comes in. After the show, I decided to stage door because I was literally so blown away by Colton. He was the only one that came out, and he was so extremely gracious to every single person waiting. The way he paused and looked into everyones eyes as they were singing him praises was incredible. You could tell he was so grateful and happy to be there. It just made the experience that much sweeter.
Well, they typically don't have Sunday night shows that I know of, but they did this night. At the time I had no idea why, and I was actually quite frustrated because I would have tried to get tickets for the night show instead. Since this show was happening, I decided to go back to the stage door and see if anyone else would come out. While I was waiting, I made some friends with a handful of people that were also waiting. We had to be there almost 2.5 hours before the show ended. We learned that they were filming for the New York Public Library archives, or what have you... and that Ben WAS performing. They set up the barricade all the way down the block to the left of the stage door, taking up all of Great Comet's entrance. I couldn't believe how long it was. I had my spot front and center and was just excited to see if anyone would come out. First, Asa and Colton came out. I talked to Colton again and he was just as humble. In fact he was literally shocked that anyone knew who he was this time around since he didn't even perform. Then Laura and Kristolyn came out. And then Ben came out. It was like I was dreaming. I had heard he very rarely comes out the stage door, so I was on cloud 9. He was very nice and very charming. Again, I had felt slightly guilty since I didn't even see him perform, but it's like it all worked out the way it should have. Rachel came out shortly after him and I was just absolutely stunned by the turn of events of the day.
I went into that matinee with a slightly heavy heart, and I ended the day (in my opinion) with one of the best scenarios I could have imagined. I got to see Colton perform, which not many get to do, plus I got to meet Ben anyway. It was an insane day. I still can't believe it was real.
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