
I had an AWESOME time at the show, again, I've been looking forward to it since last November and then in May when it was announced I got super excited. I had already decided I was going to stagedoor, because I LOVE Brandi Burkhardt! I'm a big fan of Jekyll & HYDE: The Musical and she is the latest Emma, Dr. Jekyll's fianiance in the musical. Go figure that she is engaged to the composer of Jekyll & HYDE, and just one of my other most sought after autographs! Back to ATOTC! So the performance ended, and I exited and found the barricades immediately and got a great spot where they come out (they actually have to go towards the doors the way the barricades are set up). After a few ensemble and musicians came out, then came Aaron Lazar. I have to be honest, I wasn't really a fan of his until Friday night, when he blew me away with his Darnay, no matter how little he had to do it was spectacular! Anyway, we just did the normal stagedoor chitchat You were great...how's it going type deal. Next, was the show's star, James Barbour.
Barbour has obviously had a very difficult year (LOL PM me if you really want to know) on multiple levels, but his performance was brilliant as drunken lawer Sydney Carton! It was nice to see for the record, a cast that was actually like my hieght/tall rather than what most people think about stage actors! Barbour was awesome, but he had his towncar waiting so he was pretty fast.
Next came Nick Wyman, who was Barsad. Nothing really happened with him, he was talking to someone else anyway.
Next came Natalie Toro (the second person I really wanted from this cast!). Natalie was the FIRST American to ever portray the role of 'Eponine' in LES MISERABLES,and she was awesome and just so evil as Madame DeFarge. She also starred as Eva Peron in EVITA a few years ago, and LOL I said I wish I saw her and she was like how come you didn't?! And I said I was too young! And she said wow doesn't that make me feel old! But she chuckled when she said it. Charming lady, hard to believe it's only her second time on Broadway, and she barely shows her age. Really, the last time she was on Broadwya was 18 years ago!
A few more ensemble members, especially one whose literally entire family was there and they were all excited. Wait a few more minutes (my other post..LB was the longest I've ever waited at the stagedoor!)
Finally Brandi Burkhardt comes out! A lot of people already left so she came over to me and we talked for a while. I told her I'm a big fan of Frank's (her future husband) and of her's from Jekyll & HYDE and of that show as well and she seemed real excited. Then we talked about The Count of Monte Cristo and I was asking if it was going to be in English this time and if it was actually going to be released (Frank Wildhorn's had two CDs that were due out in 2006 and still haven't come out, despite being still up for pre-sales!), and she was just geniuenely nice & more beautiful in person then on TV/pictures! Then she asked me my name, LOL I didn't forget,and we talked a little more and then she said gotta go! She really was one of the nicest people I've met at the stagedoor!
Then I left after that! It was really great to meet that special kind of cast that will look you dead in the eye and tell you how much they love what they're doing and the show they're doing. Seriously, it almost never happens that everyone you meet will do it.
I was seriosuly kicking myself for forgetting my camera!!!!!
I got three playbills signed. LOL Mr. Barbour signed an extra one for me, which I was keeping for Brandi but I took a lot of them (Shhhhhhh) so I got three signed in total!
Cast (all 5):

James Barbour:

Brandi Burkhardt:

I know these actors & actresses don't mean too much to too many people, but they do to me! In my eyes, they are the most talented actors (that brand) out there. It really made for one of the best nights of 2008 I'll have everything that went on that night!