Let that sink in.
I was 16 years old. 16 was my favorite number. It was our anniversary date. I would be two years out of college by then. It made sense... at the time.
I did not think that I would be spending the day from recovering from taking photos, talking with and teaching Broadway legends how to use Snapchat the day before.
Yesterday, 70 Broadway stars gathered to record "What the World Needs Now" (a la 1985 "We Are The World"), to be released on iTunes with the proceeds going to LGBT Center of Central Florida. It's obviously been an intense, heartbreaking couple of days. The Orlando tragedy took place the morning of the Tony Awards, so the Broadway community used multiple platforms to send love and show solidarity with victims and those affected: social media, pinned silver ribbons, and the actual broadcast itself.
 |
| There are too many people to point but it's a lot |
And now they were doing more. There were a few reasons why yesterday will be one of the best days of my life.
By now, I've learned how to calm my inner-fan girl and play it cool while capture social content at Broadway events. But yesterday was other level. Within the first five minutes of walking in the door, Tommy Tune and I waved to each other (!!!) and he whisked by me with his arms open to give Chita Rivera a hug. I swooned.
This was followed by seeing Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane huddled in the corner (reminiscing about The Producers I'm sure?!), Michael Cerveris and Judy Kuhn strolling through the hallway (going over lines for Fun Home?!), and chatting with Kimiko Glenn (Soso from Orange is the New Black). And she was the least-intimidating because we had worked on a live-stream together. Just so you understand what "other level" I'm talking about.
Soon the recording studio was filled with Broadway stars and legends. Bernadette Peters, Audra McDonald, James Monroe Iglehart, Carmen Cusack, Jose Llana, Jessie Mueller, Billy Porter, and so many more; all there to support the victims of Orlando.
Sarah Jessica Parker looked stunning -- not a day over Carrie Bradshaw circa 1999 -- as she touched my back and said "Excuse me, sorry," to squeeze past me. College freshman Felicia squealed.
I helped Matthew Broderick as he learned how to use the drawing tool of Snapchat, and it took everything in me to not start singing "Twist and Shout" with Ferris Bueller style.
The same thing happened with Joel Grey and Bernadette Peters, but "Willkommen" and "Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better," respectively.
Then it happened. I was going through the Snapchat coverage so far, and Lin-Manuel Miranda walks by. We've been in the same room before, I've taken photos of him, but have never actually talked to him, so clearly this was a big deal. We make eye contact. He gives me a cool nod and a "Hey" and I stumble through something resembling "Hi." OKAY. I knew I had to rectify that situation later.
I brushed off my embarrassment to capture Carole King singing her solo, and ran into Sara Bareilles. She said she had seen me on Playbill's Snapchat and that's when I blacked out. We geeked out together over Carole King and laughed about my embarrassing moment with Lin. She was so chill. I loved it.
I saw Lin standing a few feet away from me a few minutes later and I boldly said "Lin!" and I went up to explain how embarrassed I was about earlier.
Felicia: I've honestly been thinking about this moment since 2012 when I discovered In The Heights and it changed my life so I feel like I messed it all up.
Lin: Goodness gracious! No you didn't, you're fine!
Then he recorded this adorable snap for me and I almost passed out. (ALSO he asked about Bye Felicia and that's the only time I was happy about it.)
Then it REALLY happened. Whoopi MF Goldberg. She was walking past and I was practicing my deep breathing.
Felicia: Ms. Goldberg?
Whoopi (as she wraps her arms around me for a hug): Whoopi, just Whoopi.
Felicia: Whoopi. I just wanted to introduce myself, I'm Felicia, I do social media for Playbill and I want to grab a photo of you for that, but first and foremost, I wanted to thank you. You have been such an inspiration my entire life. Sister Act, The Lion King, Cinderella! I wore out those VHSes growing up.
Whoopi:Oh no, you are so sweet. Thank you.
Felicia: Can we also take a selfie together? I am just so honored to meet you. My mom is going to be so excited.
Whoopi: Sure!
 |
| Sister Mary Clarence in the flesh, y'all! |
It was magical. In second grade, after my tap dance performance at the end-of-the-year talent show, a teacher wrote in my yearbook "Whoopi would be proud," because everyone knew how much Whoopi inspired me. And to be able to thank her and hug her was so magical. It was magical!
Soon it was recording time, and the crowd filled in the studio. They sounded INCREDIBLE. That's what you get when you gather 70 top-notch Broadway stars! Hearing them sing "What the world needs now is love sweet love" was addicting, emotional, powerful. I wanted to just sit there and hear them sing the whole thing over and over. These are the people that we all admire, and it's for good reason. They're not just talented performers, but they're warm and gracious humans, too. I've never felt so proud and honored to be a part of the Broadway community.
They say a wedding day is the best day of a girl's life. Maybe it's true. All I really know is that yesterday was one of those truly special days that I want to hold onto as long as I can. There was so much love in that room, and I can't wait for the world to hear it.
