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Post by charliesgirl7681 on Dec 17, 2009 23:02:36 GMT -5
I found this on a Phantom site. I've seen this show twice and it is AMAZING if you haven't seen it go! Kate seems to have been a fan also.
I came out of the Majestic Theatre's stage door one night in 1988, long after the crowds had gone, heading through the long alley on my way to Fourty-fifth Street and the cab ride home. Suddenly a woman appeared from round th corner, striding toward me, full sail followed by four young people at the trot. She spoke to them in tones that reeked with resolution: "It's got to be here somewhere." (That voice. Where had I heard it before?) She paid no attention to me and strode past. Then she abruptly changed her mind, turned and started back, quickly gaining on me. "Young man," she called - her voice resounded along the walls of the alley - "Where's the stage door to the Golden (Theatre)?" I turned and looked into Katharine Hepburn's marvelous face. "Uhhh," I stammered, mentally grappling for a brilliant phrase to stun her with the force of my personality, "it's right there." I pointed the way. (That's terrific, Crawford: this is a chance meeting she'll never forget!) "Right," she said. "Thank you." She brushed past me, and she quickly disappeared down the alley with her guests in tow. Only in New York, I thought. Where else would you meet Katharine Hepburn in a dark alley! A week later she came to see The Phantom of the Opera and visited my dressing room afterward. It was clear that she'd been crying. "You!" she drawled in that crisp metallic voice of hers. "I have never seen anything like that in my life! And I'm going to bring people back ah-gain, and ah-gain and AH-GAIN!" "Thank you," I said, "and I give good directions, too." She raised a perplexed eyebrow, smiled a polite - if puzzled - smile, and left. But she is a very generous woman, and she forgave my bit of brash humor. She kept her word as well and returned on many occasions with members of her family. She was reportedly seen in the orchestra, crying happily every time. (Michael Crawford, from the book Broadway Day and Night)
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Post by Judy on Dec 18, 2009 9:08:13 GMT -5
I found this on a Phantom site. I've seen this show twice and it is AMAZING if you haven't seen it go! Kate seems to have been a fan also. I came out of the Majestic Theatre's stage door one night in 1988, long after the crowds had gone, heading through the long alley on my way to Fourty-fifth Street and the cab ride home. Suddenly a woman appeared from round th corner, striding toward me, full sail followed by four young people at the trot. She spoke to them in tones that reeked with resolution: "It's got to be here somewhere." (That voice. Where had I heard it before?) She paid no attention to me and strode past. Then she abruptly changed her mind, turned and started back, quickly gaining on me. "Young man," she called - her voice resounded along the walls of the alley - "Where's the stage door to the Golden (Theatre)?" I turned and looked into Katharine Hepburn's marvelous face. "Uhhh," I stammered, mentally grappling for a brilliant phrase to stun her with the force of my personality, "it's right there." I pointed the way. (That's terrific, Crawford: this is a chance meeting she'll never forget!) "Right," she said. "Thank you." She brushed past me, and she quickly disappeared down the alley with her guests in tow. Only in New York, I thought. Where else would you meet Katharine Hepburn in a dark alley! A week later she came to see The Phantom of the Opera and visited my dressing room afterward. It was clear that she'd been crying. "You!" she drawled in that crisp metallic voice of hers. "I have never seen anything like that in my life! And I'm going to bring people back ah-gain, and ah-gain and AH-GAIN!" "Thank you," I said, "and I give good directions, too." She raised a perplexed eyebrow, smiled a polite - if puzzled - smile, and left. But she is a very generous woman, and she forgave my bit of brash humor. She kept her word as well and returned on many occasions with members of her family. She was reportedly seen in the orchestra, crying happily every time. (Michael Crawford, from the book Broadway Day and Night) Lovely story. Do you by any chance have the link to that site?
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Post by charliesgirl7681 on Dec 18, 2009 10:16:45 GMT -5
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Post by Judy on Dec 18, 2009 14:45:12 GMT -5
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Post by CrazyForKate on Dec 18, 2009 22:51:55 GMT -5
That's a lovely story. Kate always seemed to dislike musical theatre- she claimed somewhere that she had seen very few Broadway musicals (the Berg book maybe?)- but at the same time I recall Lansbury talking about how much Kate loved Sweeney Todd. Can anyone back me up on this? Do you suppose (if the thing about not seeing musicals is true) that doing Coco changed her mind? EDIT: The Lansbury quote is on that wonderful Kate-tribute page, which can be found here www.livefastdieyoungbook.com/premierekatharinehepburn.htm
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Post by charliesgirl7681 on Dec 19, 2009 0:31:58 GMT -5
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Post by dreamer on Dec 20, 2009 3:02:29 GMT -5
I found this on a Phantom site. I've seen this show twice and it is AMAZING if you haven't seen it go! Kate seems to have been a fan also. I came out of the Majestic Theatre's stage door one night in 1988, long after the crowds had gone, heading through the long alley on my way to Fourty-fifth Street and the cab ride home. Suddenly a woman appeared from round th corner, striding toward me, full sail followed by four young people at the trot. She spoke to them in tones that reeked with resolution: "It's got to be here somewhere." (That voice. Where had I heard it before?) She paid no attention to me and strode past. Then she abruptly changed her mind, turned and started back, quickly gaining on me. "Young man," she called - her voice resounded along the walls of the alley - "Where's the stage door to the Golden (Theatre)?" I turned and looked into Katharine Hepburn's marvelous face. "Uhhh," I stammered, mentally grappling for a brilliant phrase to stun her with the force of my personality, "it's right there." I pointed the way. (That's terrific, Crawford: this is a chance meeting she'll never forget!) "Right," she said. "Thank you." She brushed past me, and she quickly disappeared down the alley with her guests in tow. Only in New York, I thought. Where else would you meet Katharine Hepburn in a dark alley! A week later she came to see The Phantom of the Opera and visited my dressing room afterward. It was clear that she'd been crying. "You!" she drawled in that crisp metallic voice of hers. "I have never seen anything like that in my life! And I'm going to bring people back ah-gain, and ah-gain and AH-GAIN!" "Thank you," I said, "and I give good directions, too." She raised a perplexed eyebrow, smiled a polite - if puzzled - smile, and left. But she is a very generous woman, and she forgave my bit of brash humor. She kept her word as well and returned on many occasions with members of her family. She was reportedly seen in the orchestra, crying happily every time. (Michael Crawford, from the book Broadway Day and Night) You are a real Sam Spade ;D Thank you so much for this interesting story
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Post by gottamatch on Dec 21, 2009 20:48:00 GMT -5
Just when I thought I couldn't possibly love Kate any more! What fantastic taste! Thank you for sharing.
I have seen it on stage three times. Once in Sydney about 10 years ago with Michael Crawford as the Phantom (AMAZING), then in 2005 in London at Her Majesty's Theatre and in 2007 in Sydney with Anthony Warlow as the Phantom who is a famous Aussie who played the part back when Crawford did all those years ago. All performances brilliant, always well worth the money!! I adore the film but there is something extra special about seeing it on the stage.
Jess
P.S. If you ever get to see it on the stage, try to get in first and pay extra for seats right up the front. If you sit within the first few rows you get the full experience of the chandellier (spelling?) nearly falling on you! It's soooo cool!
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Post by charliesgirl7681 on Dec 21, 2009 21:22:20 GMT -5
Oh god the second time I saw it I was 3rd row dead center. IT IS AMAZING!!!! Go see it if possible, just think you'll be seeing something Kate loved.
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