My hero is a Broadway actor named Hugh Panaro. He's a much, MUCH better actor than about 90% of Hollywood (except for Christian Bale, who is facking oresome), and most people have never heard of him because he's never been in "Bang Bang Shoot 'Em Up Explosion Fiesta XXVI", or something like that. I first discovered him while browsing videos on YouTube of "The Phantom of the Opera"(my life's obsession), and discovered that he had played the Phantom for quite awhile. Every aspect of his performance was so jaw-droppingly amazing; he had the most beautiful voice I'd ever heard, and he packed so much emotion into his performance that I was in tears watching it on YouTube.
Last night, after flying 1,200 miles, I saw him star in a production of "Les Miserables" in Philadelphia and, once again, I was moved to tears by nearly every song he sang. Afterwards, I waited at the stage door for him, having left a message at intermission. When he finally comes out, he's swamped by fans while I'm waiting in the background. Shortly after, it gets quiet and I hear him say "Excuse me, are you Warren?" I almost crapped my pants. My hero recognized me, and broke past many other people to come talk to me. And talk we did. HE pulled ME into a hug, he signed all my stuff(personalizing it with a message instead of just scribbling his name). He willingly stayed behind after everyone else had left just to talk to me, and he never tried to edge away, or make excuses. It was almost like he was as enthralled to talk to me as I was to talk to him. He was just the most genuinely kind, talented, amazing person I had ever met.
Last night, after flying 1,200 miles, I saw him star in a production of "Les Miserables" in Philadelphia and, once again, I was moved to tears by nearly every song he sang. Afterwards, I waited at the stage door for him, having left a message at intermission. When he finally comes out, he's swamped by fans while I'm waiting in the background. Shortly after, it gets quiet and I hear him say "Excuse me, are you Warren?" I almost crapped my pants. My hero recognized me, and broke past many other people to come talk to me. And talk we did. HE pulled ME into a hug, he signed all my stuff(personalizing it with a message instead of just scribbling his name). He willingly stayed behind after everyone else had left just to talk to me, and he never tried to edge away, or make excuses. It was almost like he was as enthralled to talk to me as I was to talk to him. He was just the most genuinely kind, talented, amazing person I had ever met.
