First off let me say that I would drive for days and spend big cash to go see Many Patinkin...it was sooooooooooooooooo worth the $60 and the 3 1/2 hour drive...I am like a complete blubbering moron right now (yea yea, I know, what's new)...The show lasted right at two hours, he was a comedian, a story teller and sucked everyone in to the show. He told stories of his father, his grandfather, his sons and his wife. Many of the stories had him as the butt of the joke. He was so down to earth it felt like you were just sitting there with him and no one else. The seat I had was great I was in the 11th row of the Orchestra Pit, I could see his facial expressions perfectly. I can not even begin to explain how good the show was except maybe to say that I smiled a big fat grin for two hours strait and my cheeks actually still hurt 7 hours later. There was something magical about him, I sat in awe like a little girl hearing her grandfather tell stories. I hadn't even noticed how long the concert had been until it was over and I saw it was a little after 4 (the concert had started at 2). I would have listened to him all night and not heard enough. As it was he didn't sing either of my two favorite songs (Race You To The Top Of The Morning-Secret Garden, Honey Bun-Oscar & Steve) but I heard so much wonderful music I could die happy and now MUST go out and buy the couple of CD's of his that I don't have.
After he had finished the concert and did a short encore he came out to say goodbye and told everyone that he had to end every concert with the same words. He poised one hand up in the air in front and the other behind him and said, "My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die", and of course everyone erupted in laughter and applause. So after the concert ended I politely asked one of the men working the concert (who I knew had been traveling with Mandy) that I had been a huge fan for almost 20 years and did he know if there was any chance of meeting him or obtaining an autograph. He smiled and told me to wait outside the stage door and assured me that Mandy would come out that door since his car was parked outside it. I quickly went outside (in 25 degree weather with a slight wind) and began to wait. I couldn't believe that aside from the security guard I was the only one there. Well, there was also a couple of people waiting to bring their U-Haul into the alley (they were moving into the apartments that were next to the Capital Theater and because of the concert the alley had been closed off, they weren't to happy...)
Anyhoo, after a good 20 minutes and several other people coming and going I hear the door open and out walks a lady, right behind her was Mandy in a winter coat and stocking cap with this heart melting smile on his face. He looked at me and apologized for making me wait so long (heck, I would have waited longer!!) Then I become this idiotic, drooling blubbering dip. I swear to you, my jaw was open and I couldn't talk! I had sort of prepared in my head a few polite things to say and nothing came to my mind-well except can I have your love child-but after my hysterectomy I don't think that's possible!! After a few seconds I squeak out the words, "It's really you" and he laughs and says, "It's me!" I buried my face in my hands and muttered "I am such a dork"! He laughs again (oh my I tell you too he has the sexiest laugh!!!!) and tells me, "Look at me! I'm the one dressed like a dork!" I mellowed out (a little) after that and told him I was a fan and we talked for a few minutes. I had told him that the girls I work with teased me about being such a fan and that he was going to take out a stalking order on me and he thought that it was pretty funny. He is so sweet and genuine, he truly is. His eyes and his smile are so perfect, he absolutely glows with love for his fans and his work. I wish I had brought my camera but since they didn't allow pictures at the concert I didn't..DOH! I have his face etched into my mind with his handsome smile and shinning eyes looking at me. After we had talked (and I was just sure I had come across like some freaked out fan) he leaned over and gave me this great big hug that was so pure and heartfelt. I was able to get my ticket and program autographed and for as long as I live I will never forget this.
I will also still do my best to go to any concert that comes near me and next time I'll bring a camera!!
*UPDATE*
So today (October 23, 2009) I go to the post office to see what sort of election crud, junk mail and bills I have (and lo and behold there was some of each!!) but amongst all of that was this large envelope that came from New York, curious! In fact for a split second I thought it might be junk mail but then again I do have friends in NY so who knows what it could be. Anyhoo, I open it and pull out this 8x10 glossy of Mandy himself (AUTOGRAPHED TO ME...AND HE EVEN SPELLED MY NAME RIGHT!!!!) along with this kind letter (obviously a "form" letter but hey, like I care, it came from HIM!!!) talking about how important organ and tissue donations are to him and he is asking his fans to become organ donors (AND I AM ONE ALREADY!!) so um, yea...I'm once again a giddy little school girl with my heart going pitter patt pitter patt for my Mandy... Me thinks I'll have to watch the Princess Bride sometime this weekend.
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