I can't really talk right now - I am still in disbelief. My first time seeing Phantom was AMAZING! I can't believe it actually happened! I just - I'm still speechless....
The Story: None of this was expected! So my family arrived about an hour before the doors opened at 7:30pm. There wasn't really anyone in the lobby, at all. We were the first ones in there. After about fifteen minutes, one of the ushers walked by, and asked me "Is that a Christine Daee costume?!" I said yes, and then she went back behind the doors. I'm guessing she started spreading the word, because later, another group of ushers came up to me and asked me about it. Meanwhile - my mom started talking to one of them, Karen (I am never ever going to forget her!) about how I'm so obsessessed with Phantom! and how I've always wanted to meet Sandra Joseph and just basically telling all the embarassing things I've done for Phantom.
So then suddenly, she says "hold on, I'll be right back, let me just check something" the next thing you know, she comes in, smiles and me and says "come with me!" I just stood there, unbelieving what was happening and couldn't move. It wasn't until my cousin, Chrisabelle, and my sister, Joy, along with my parents pushed me did I actually started walking! She told us as we walked into the theatre that "Sandra Joseph hasn't come in yet, so we can meet her by the back stage door." By now, I was crying hysterically! I couldn't see! I couldn't believe that this was happening to me! I was going to see Sandra!
We waited by the backstage door outside for her to come in, and when she came, I couldn't stop crying and smiling. It was unbelievable! She came up to me, and admired my costume. I couldn't speak, I couldn't talk, I couldn't even move! This had been my dream since - I don't know when! Was to meet a Christine! She took pictures with my gown, and my mom had to speak for me, asking her to sign the program. Before she went inside, she said to me "Come by after the show so that I can spend more time with you." I couldn't stop smiling by now! Karen showed us how to get to the backstage, and how to get in (their pretty touch on intruders). She brought us back to the front where it was starting to get crowded. I was still crying. People were giving me odd looks, and then I felt like I was under a microscope because they didn't stop talking about my costume... I guess that's what you get...
Then we found our seats for the show. Fourteen rows from the stage - I sat in seat 107! Right in the middle, center stage!The show was by no means less than - AMAZING! I got more weird looks from people during intermission when my cousin and my sister and I were running around the theatre exploring. I cried during most the parts - and everything went so beautifully! I absolutely loved Sandra Joseph, Howard McGillin, and Tim Martin Gleason! Their all amazing! By far - I loved hearing Sandra Sing, and watching her costumes (or the costumes) change!
After the show, I still couldn't move from shock that I was about to go backstage...Chrisabelle pushed everyone out of our way, because we had to get their fast before people started swarming. We found our way backstage, and waited for her to come out. When she came out, she took me back to the costume room, and held up the wishing gown so everyone could take pictures with my dress! Sandra is an incredible woman! She's so nice, and she really understood how much it meant to me! I was tearing because I never thought that this would ever happen to me! We started talking about my dream for Broadway, and how Phantom inspired me to take my Voice Lessons seriously. I'm sorry I didn't get many pictures of the dress - I was shocked - I was still in shock for most of the time! My dad took video though, and it has pretty good views of it. I just didn't get to see the back, I touched it, but I still couldn't talk...
Then, she said she had one more stop for me. She told everyone to go on stage (OF THE MAJESTIC THEATRE!) and held me back, then she said "Everyone! Watch as Joanne makes her Broadway Debut!" and walked me onto the stage. I started singing "Think of Me." I can't even describe how I was feeling! I sang on the stage of Majestic Theatre! She even said that I had beautiful voice (I do hope that she wasn't just being nice..) I can't believe that I actually sang infront of a renowned singer! I SANG ON THE STAGE OF THE MAJESTIC THEATRE! OH MY GOD!!!I just - oh great - now I'm crying...
I just can't believe it all happend! I just - I can't describe it! I really can't! I gave Sandra a hug, and we walked her out. Oh the way out, we ran into Raoul on the street! Got his signature, and picture and everything! Up to now, I still can't believe everything that happened to me...It's just so incredible...
And Now for the part you've impatiently been waiting for - the pictures...