A Phantom, A Massell and A Very Excited Me

Did that all really just happen? 
Yes.
Did I really just see the first musical I had ever heard? 
Yes.
Did meet the voice behind the magnificent Christine Daaé, Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny and the Phantom of the nights performance?
Yes. 
Then the following night be under the same....Roof (excuse the pun) with a ton of Fiddler cast members only inches/feet away from me?
Yes.
Did one of my favorite performers tell me my face looks familiar when I saw her that night?
Yes, yes she did.

I need a second to take this all in.......Okay I am good....for now.

Finally after 20 something years, The Phantom of the Opera was finally seen live with these eyes of mine. It was everything I had dreamed about and more. The cast was perfect! Ali Ewoldt played (and still plays) Christine Daaé. I am convinced that she will join the group of women who are considered the great Christine's. She was amazing! And is also a very sweet and took the time to talk to me and the other girls waiting at stage door. Jordan Doncia, played Raoul, is a nice singing giant who's voice was like gold. Greg Mills, who is a swing for Phantom, was on a so talkative. All I have to say is that he was perfect. The whole cast put 1400+ people in a trance, literally. 

Give me another second....Okay I am good...for another few moments. 

I would like to add to that list of firsts that Fiddler on the Roof had given me. For the first time I had gone to a cabaret. Not just any cabaret, Samantha Massell's, who happened to play Hodel in Fiddler. It was her solo show debut at 54 Below. The room was filled with cast members, and of course there was a Dressing Room 51 reunion on stage. Samantha and Alexandra Silber sang "Cat in a Box" and " The Barry Sisters sing Fiddler on the Roof, "Far From the Home I Love" (please click and watch them!). 

please excuse the blurriness 

The whole show was beautiful and touching. Every song that Samantha chose to sing and tell her story of growing up with a single mother, hit so close to home. You could see some tears in peoples eyes as the lyrics and words flowed beautiful out of her mouth. I wish she was doing more show so I could have taken more people to see it. After the performance Samantha took the time to wait around and talk to everyone who showed up to support her. Such a sweet heart! 

I even got to talk to Alexandra Silber, who happens to be my favorite performers.....as you all know. Talking to her this time was different. Instead of gushing and feeling so omgmyfavoriteperformerisrightinfrontofme, I was composed and truly myself. She recognized me which I might have died for a second or two. However every time I meet/see Alexandra I always thank her. Because let's face it, she the most amazing interesting woman I have ever met. This time was a little different. I did not only thank her for singing the one song, but I thanked her for so much more. It was the first time that night that I was able to say everything I wanted to. It felt so good! 

But seriously, you really should see anything and everything that Ali Ewoldt,  Jordan Doncia, Greg Mills, Samantha Massell and Alexandra Sliber perform in, you will never be disappointed. 

Watch!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPjl8XwB1fJ/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPnQ930gIOu/