[crluvalotbear]

Today was the first time I have ever seen ACL-- and I swear, out of everything I've ever seen (which is a lot!), this was by far the best show. Tears were streaming down my face--I think I was crying during "I Hope I Get It" because my run in our high school musicals has ended (I'm graduating this year!) and I just was like oh my god, what if I'm never on stage again and oh my god, I know how that feels (to want a part!) I cried again at Paul's solo at the end of "I Hope I Get It" because it was just beautiful. I also cried during his soliloquy later on. And, of course, at the end.
Everything was just breathtaking-- because I saw a matinee, a lot of swings/understudies were in. I had the u/s of Don, Diana, Connie, Zach, and Cassie. Don was...fine. He's a character I've never felt much of a connection to anyways, so I was fine with that. I was THRILLED that Diana's u/s was in-- I really am not a Natalie Cortez fan-- I watched a video of "Nothing" and cringed. The u/s (Michelle Aravena) was fantastic-- oh, I cried during "What I Did for Love" as well! Connie-- again, not a particularly favorite character of mine. I found the American-ess of the actress (Lyndy Franklin) took away from the Connie-charm. I also found it odd that she was singing a song about being short (4'10 changed to 5'2) when at least three actresses onstage were shorter than her-- Val, Bebe, and Diana. Cassie-- I'm not a HUGE Charlotte d'Amboise fan, but I've only seen tapes and I want to be able to say I've seen her live. Nadine Isenegger was fine, though. Zach-- I couldn't be happier about the u/s! I'm sure the regular Zach is fine, but Grant Turner is one of the sweetest people I have ever met! We talked to him by the stage door and he was just soooo nice, asking us how the show was, etc. LOVED HIM!
Ah, yes, the lovely people I met outside the door. I only wanted to stop a couple of people. Val was the first person out-- and I don't know if she's naturally reserved or if she was in a bad mood, but when I told her I loved her (Jessica Lee Goldwyn) and asked her to sign my Playbill, she didn't smile at all and just kinda signed it and hurried off. Chrissie Whitehead (Kristine), on the otherhand, was a complete SWEETHEART! She was absolutely adorable . As was Joey Dudding (Paul)-- so nice. I only wish I had taken my camera out to take a picture with him! Tony Yazbeck-- another lovely person to take a picture with. Heather Parcells-- basically my new favorite person in the world. Maybe if I find my USB cable I'll upload the picture of she and I-- she was just the sweetest person, asking my name and where I was from. And when I told her how amazing she was, she acted like no one had ever told her that before. Which was so sweet.
The strangest thing was, I LOOOOVED Michael Paternostro as Greg. I absolutely ADORED him and that character. However, after Paul's little bit and the dancers come back onstage, I noticed something...my beloved Greg was...shorter...and not as thin...and a different person. I was like...oh my god, what happened???? So I was outside the stage door, HOPING that he would come out, which he did. I was like "I was SO WORRIED about you!!" He said he "tweaked" his ankle and was afraid of spraining it. But he was sweet enough to take a picture with me before heading home, which was so nice .
Basically...this was the best day of my life. While I recognize this as long winded, I just had to share my magical experience. I've never stood outside a stage door and felt so welcomed. And I've never seen a show I've loved more.

[BroadwayBaby0202]

Oh my gosh, I know.. Chryssie and Heather were SOO nice!! They were such sweethearts. I'm not sure about Jessica (Val) though because when I met her she was really nice too. Maybe she was just having an off day... Also, Natalie was really nice as well.

By the way...I wasn't a big fan of Zach or Cassie and it wasn't their understudies that were on. I though Heather (Judy), Chryssie (Kristine), Natalie (Diana), and the guy who played Greg were the best.

[DanceTenLooksThree]

I'm glad you love it so much! I'm totally addicted to it too! I've seen it about 7 or 8 times now, and probably a few more before they close, which won't be soon, hopefully!

[BroadwayBaby0202]

No, I don't think it will be closing any time soon Or at least I hope not... It's funny, I was in the show and it closed a few weeks ago and it wasn't until recently how much I realized that I LOVED this show (and the part I played!!)! I played Val, by the way and it was by far the most fun I've ever had with a role. If you're ever by any chance given a choice to pick which character to play in ACL, choose Val because if the part is done right, she can steal the show.

[crluvalotbear]

it's closing in march
limited run revivals suck...

[DanceTenLooksThree]

ugh gah, i didnt know it was THAT early, boo. Well, that's not good.

[BroadwayBaby0202]

OH MY GOD are you kidding me!? nooooo :[ do you know what date exactly it's closing? and why it's closing??

[what_the_heck013]

[Broadway FREAK]

WHAT??? ITS CLOSING??????

[luckeys71]

Fortunately, you guys have gotten some bad information. I just checked Telecharge and they are selling tickets though July. I, also, just visited with Heather Parcells less than two weeks ago at the show and certainly she would have mentioned it if the show was closing. I rode horses with Heather from when she was about 8 until she was 14, when boys became more important than horses to her! She REALLY IS an unbelieveable person!

[Sam I Am]

That is great news, I was shocked when I saw it was ending in March. I was hoping it was going to travel to Washington D.C. or Philly which I hear will happen sometime in 2008 or 09. So I can see it then.

[crluvalotbear]

"when she was about 8 until she was 14, when boys became more important than horses to her"

that's a direct quote from an interview she gave...

[BroadwayBaby0202]

[crluvalotbear]

ohhhh people who like to pretend they know the famous

[DanceTenLooksThree]

I'm so glad there not closing in March! lol, I was at the theater last week and they definitly didn;t show any signs of closing...lol. Which is a good thing!

Yeah...I saw that interview on BW.com, i love her! lol

[BroadwayBaby0202]

Aw, I know! I met her after the show one day and she couldn't have been nicer!! She's such a sweetie.

[Quique]

http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=16374

[luckeys71]

I don't have to pretend anything. Believe what you want to believe. I was just trying to share that I believed you had misinformation about the show closing.

[BroadwayBaby0202]

Ah, thanks Quique! I'm so excited for the tour!!

[MichiFan]

i'm sure heather would laugh heartily to think that people refer to her as "famous".

and i'm not "pretending to know anyone" either - she's a doll, and a fantastic person. i didn't know her as a little one, but i did meet her before she hit the big time, and i can honestly say she hasn't changed a bit. her outgoing, caring personality, and her amazing work ethic, are just as strong and wonderful as they were 8 or 9 years ago.