Mental Flotsam, Mental Jetsam

Because the only thing that beats going crazy is going crazy with somebody else

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Best Sighting Yet!


Okay! First! Out doing the ticket sales thing yesterday evening (or late afternoon rather, since the sun was still up); Marian Seldes passes by on her way to the theatre. She's currently playing in Deuce opposite Angela Lansbury. This is the second time I've seen her. I gesture to her, and say "Break a leg." She mouths a 'Thank You', and went on her way. Classy lady.

I was out with Joyce pitching tickets when she thought she spotted someone out of the corner of her eye, and quickly dismissed it. I asked who, and she said "Martin Sheen."

I scanned the crowd, and found a man walking away; and recognized the walk. I've been a West Wing fan for years, to say nothing of Wall Street, etc. I catch up to him, and as we're stopped at the crosswalk, I offer my hand and say, "Excuse me sir, but I had to say I love your work."

Sheen smiles and accepts my hand. Joyce races up, also shakes hands with him, and the three of us had a very pleasant conversation for about two minutes. He asked if we were actors, we said yes, talked shop for a bit. By this time, others had stopped and started taking pictures. No-one had recognized him prior to this (I think) because of the glasses he wore, or possibly because he was so casually dressed. Regular Joe all the way.


Some people understandably don't have patience or the time to talk to fans; but he was more than happy to talk to us for a few minutes. It was incredible.

So, yeah. That happened.

Labels: ,

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

It's A Bird! It's A Plane! It's... A Guy Going To Queens!


This. Was. Awesome. I'm riding home on the subway along with my Stage Manager Amy (who can corroborate this); and this particular night I'm wearing a Superman t-shirt. An eight year old boy comes up to me, and asks, "Are you Superman??"

I look at him, and all I can think to say is, "Ssshhh!! Do you want the whole train to know?"

The look in his eyes was priceless. I had to keep this going as long as possible. He points a small finger at me.

"I know your secret identity. You're Cl--"

"Ssshh!!"

"Clark Kent!"

I give him a look of exasperation. He is completely undeterred.

Next question: "Where's your cape?"

"At the dry cleaners. It's always getting torn and stuff. Bullet holes..." The boy chimes in.


"You know, you can't keep your cape attached with velcro!"

"I know! I'm always having to tuck it into my tunic. Do you know how many capes I've lost, just flying 60 miles an hour?"

By this time, a good portion of the car was listening in, laughing quietly.

"What are you doing on the train?"


"I'm going home. Oh, great. Now everyone knows I live in Queens. That's fantastic."

"Why isn't your skin blue?"

"Don't be silly. My skin isn't blue, I wear tights."

"Why aren't you wearing your underwear outside your clothes?"

"Because I'm on the subway. I want to meet public decency laws." More snickering.


The kid is buying this hook, line & sinker. Now naturally, I don't look a thing like Christopher Reeve or Brandon Routh. The boy had this solved already.

"Why don't you take your mask off?"

"Well. Kryptonians are all very handsome. I mean come on, my dad was Marlon Brando. I don't want to be a distraction, you know?" This seems to satisfy the boy.

"Can I feel your muscles?"

Um.


"Well, I don't think that'd be right. We haven't been properly introduced. I don't know your name, I haven't met your folks..."

He extended his hand. "I'm Noah."


"Noah, I'm Clark. Nice to meet you."

We come to his stop (turns out to be my stop, too). His mom scoots him out the door, giving me a thankful nod.

Simply outstanding.

Labels: