Oh! Look at this. Two theater posts back-to-back! Ba-bam! Who am I? And what is happening? *wipes imaginary dirt off shoulders*
So, not to be one of those people who’s all, “You know my awesome friend – oh, you know, the Tony-winning one?”
But seriously, did you know my friend won a Tony? 😉
James is one of the nicest dudes, and he as been for maaaany many years. (And I’m sure for many years even before those many years I’ve known him.)
I had been technically living in NY for about 7 months (and like, pretty for-real-ish doing it for about 3) and I still hadn’t seen this show! That was a ridiculous travesty of this world. So, I finally told him (covered in apologies), “I have to see your show!!! When can I come? Can I come next weekend?” And I did!
He. is. amazing. He eeeeeeeearned that Tony, baby! I cried at the end when *spoiler alert* Aladdin sets the genie free. Gah! I can’t think of the line right now… But it was amazing.
Also, it’s not like I didn’t know it was going to happen.., I’d seen the movie. But it was moving! I think that’s the true love story in Aladdin – the Genie and Al.
(And maybe Jasmine and her awesome power.) But I don’t reeeeeeally thing it’s Aladdin and Jasmine. But hey, that’s just my opinion. To each her own.
After the show, I got to go in through the stage door. (So cool, right?) I got to hang out on the stage. James is so super cool and famous and beloved, he had to go sign a bunch of autographs. So, he left me to wander around the stage! I looked around at all the props and set pieces, and talked to the woodwind player in the pit.
Then James came back and we caught up. And it was just so super fun – brilliant, wonderful times. I loved it.