I love this story

[Mike3]

Posted: 2/18/07 at 3:29pm

I was in LA for the weekend and picked up a very nice seat for the Saturday matinee of Wicked. They have a tough weekend schedule: Saturday at 2pm and 8pm; Sunday at 1pm and 6:30pm. A friend and I had a drink at the new restaurant next to the Pantages, "Hollywood & Vine" - nice place. As I was walking past the stage door, the cast were making their way back to the theatre for the evening performance. The two I was walking next to looked exhaused. I overheard one say to the other, "It's going to be tough to get up for this show." Just then, two young kids came around the corner; they couldn't have been more than eleven or twelve years old. They had just won the lottery for the evening performance and were beyond excited. "I've been waiting all my life for this!" one said to the other. The two tired performers literally stopped dead in their tracks as these young boys ran up the street. They said nothing, but they looked at one another with wide grins, then walked through the stage door. I can't help but think they shared that story back stage before the show - and I imagine last night's performance was excellent, at least the for those two ensemble performers.

On a side note...

I really enjoyed the show. I saw Wicked on Broadway shortly after it opened and liked it. It's funny, though; as the show became a phenomenon, I think I got tired of all the fuss. I never thought I would go back, but I'm glad I did. Megan Hilty and Eden Espinosa were excellent, especially in the second act.

[caitlinette]

Posted: 2/18/07 at 4:08pm

That's a great story. I think that a cast always needs to be reminded of just how excited the audience is and how much it means to them to be able to see a show, and that each audience deserves your best effort.

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 2/18/07 at 4:14pm

That does the heart good...especially for the actors. It's a coincidence that the boys came running by right after they said that...they probably took it as a sign and had the energy to do the show.

[dramaqueen2]

Posted: 2/18/07 at 7:27pm

okay, even i think i'm lame, but after i read over that story a second time, i got tears in my eyes. that is so great.