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I've been wanting to get Olivia Newton John to sign a bear for a long time... she's awesome, people love her AND she's a breast cancer survivor. I've also been *so* excited about Xanadu on Broadway for a long time... so staking out Xanadu's opening night was a no-brainer.
I desperately wanted to go to opening night and see the show (seen it twice in previews already!), but, there were no tickets to be had... at least not through the box office... even at the last minute. Sandra even gamely went by the theater to check late in the afternoon to no avail.
Abby and I still went by to try to get Olivia Newton John to sign a bear. We were too late before the show, so, we went and grabbed dinner and headed back when it would be letting out.
While we were waiting, I noticed Annette O'Toole and Michael McKean randomly walking by. I pointed them out to Abby and when I hesitated to approach them, she goaded me on and made me do it. I'm so glad she did! When I mentioned to Annette O'Toole that I'd actually met her once before when we were both getting manicures, she remembered that it was at "that place on the upper west side!" Abby and I told them how we were big fans of Smallville and This is Spinal Tap and The Pajama Game and A Mighty Wind... I'm not sure they could decide whether to be impressed, flattered or creeped out. But, even though it was about 7:55 and they were trying to get to an 8:00 showing of The Year of Magical Thinking, they both signed and took pictures and were very nice. Abby and I even got kudos from some of the other people waiting for the Xanadu departures for recognizing the couple and getting their pics. ;) (I just realized right now that this was actually my second member of Spinal Tap to sign a bear! I got Harry Shearer [along with Judith Owen] a few months ago at Joe's Pub! I sense a themed wave coming up. ;))
So, back to the main goal of the night... Olivia Newton John. Abby and I had decided on the divide and conquer approach... she manned the stagedoor, I staked out another door at the other end of the theater. When ONJ came out my door, I had to move fast. One person got an autograph and photo before me and then I launched into my pitch. They were rushing her off to the car, but, she stopped, saying "no, wait, this is for breast cancer" and was as nice as could be. Seriously. Definitely a Matt Damon! ;)
My hands still shake around some people because I'm a big dork, so, the picture is regrettably blurry... but, there ya go. :)
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