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ROYAL REED´s Faith Healer meeting on Broadway (July 2006)
It's July 21, 2006, and it's my birthday. It dawned on me that today I leave for New York. Tears of joy, and disbelief roll down my face. You
see this was the day I was to see Mr. Fiennes, and my first trip N.Y.C. by myself. On the bus ride to New York, I wrote 4 things onto a notepad
that I wished to accomplish. They were:
1. Get picture of Ralph
2. Get autograph
3. Give him my gifts
4. Get picture with him
All in order (1) being most important.
It's about 1:10 in the afternoon eastern time , and I arrive in New York's Port Authority. I arrive at the hotel, and get settled. Later I will
prepare myself for a spectactular night. Suddenly it begins to rain, and then rains harder, and then it starts to thunder, and lightning. News
bullentins are all over the news. Rain has caused damage in some parts of New York. I'm getting nervous, this can't be happening, I'm supposed to
see Faith Healer tonight. Quick thinking the rain has prompted me to get dressed early, so I do. By the way, New York is so beautiful, I just loved
it! About 5:30 eastern time, I try to get a cab downstairs outside the hotel, and believe me it ain't easy especially in rain. Making small
chit-chat I finally get a cab. Booth Theatre please! It's after 6, and I'm really early the performance doesn't start til 8pm. What's Royal to do?
I walk around, take pictures of the Faith Healer billboard, and then later find somewhere to wait. Here I am dressed in black dress with my hair
pinned up, and my feet hurting from standing. I see people coming out these doors, and decided to see what doors they are. The area I recognized
from photos ''The Broadway Gift Shop'', but the doors was curious to me. To my right was the Shubert stage door, and to my left was the Booth stage
door. So I moved closer to my left, hoping to see Ralph come out. With still time on my hands, the rain subsides to lightly, and I kneel down, and
start messing with my cellphone. I stand up, still looking down at the phone and these ladies walk by, and are talking (about Ralph no doubt) Then
one lady says here he comes. I look up, and coming towards my direction is the one, and only ''Ralph Fiennes''. He wearing a black jacket w/ a red
shirt (my favorite color). His face is serious, and I say nothing. My hands began to shake, and shake. Before I get my camera out, and one lady
rushes to him, he goes inside the stage door. To be continued.....
It's showtime, and I'm seated with my Playbill in my hand. I'm in the 5th row from the stage (thanks Snuggles), and anyone that has been in the
Booth Theatre, knows that's a good seat. It's after 8, and the curtain opens. *Ralph aka Frank Hardy is standing there dressed in a long coat, and
hat. He looks amazing. He speaks so passionate, articulate, and clear. As the play continues, Ralph goes into song ''the way you look tonight''
underneath my breath, I keep saying I love you, I love you. As he tells his story he often does impressions of Teddy's voice played by Ian
McDiarmid. *Cherry Jones- is on stage sitting in a chair with a drink, no shoes, and a cigarette. Her act was intense, powerful, and truly
underrated. Yes there was a time when I couldn't understand her, but that was because she was so into her character. She told the tale of how her
child by Frank died. It was stillborn. And later how she left him. (Intermission) *Ian McDiarmid was great. Sitting in the chair listening to the
record player (''the way you look tonight'' is playing). Drinking, and had the crowd laughing. He attempted to do a Frank Hardy impression, but
didn't. Last act *Ralph was at his best. He had us laughing at times, but his portrayal as Frank Hardy was powerful.
Stage door- There's already a crowd when I get there. I take my place. Ralph comes out with his red shirt unbuttoned at the top. This time I have
my camera ready, but I can't see him. There's people in front of me, and I'm too short. I ask this girl in front of me if she can take a picture
for me, and she does. Thanks I say as she smiles, and gives me back my camera. Ralph is making his way to where I'm standing, but he's not there
yet. I feel happy, because he's in my view, and I snap away. One girl gives him a scarf, and he says ''thank you I like the colors''. In front of
me he's moving quickly, and he passes me. People want his autograph, but he's moving fast, as though it's not his choice. So I move when he moves.
I'm like he has to sign the inside of my photo album dedicated to him. I stick my hand out, and he signs my album. He's rushed more. I tell him
it's my birthday can I get a picture with him. I get the picture with him. A lady takes it for me (thank you). About to leave, I realize I still
have the gift bag for him in my hand. I give it to him. He says ''this is for me? thank you'', he looks inside, and says ''leather'' looking at me
he says ''thank you again''. He was so sweet. My gifts were:
1. Kenneth Cole wallet, and keychain in leather/suede type box
2. Boston keychain
3. White/grey/black tie w/ sterling silver cufflings to match
4. Minature teddy bear w/ the word kisses on the t-shirt
5. A pre-designed card on the front, and blank inside from 1-800 flowers. I filled it with my own words. All in a Harry Potter bag.
Then he got into a black vehicle, and rode off. So there you have it.
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Lisa Marie Smith´s Faith Healer meeting on Broadway (July 29, 2006)
As I'm familiar with Shubert Alley, once the house lights came up I hauled major ass out of the theatre to get right up to the barricades set-up
in front of the stage door. I was quick on my feet and nabbed a perfect spot. By this time my niece had caught up with me and she stood, camera at
the ready, to begin snapping away the moment Ralph appeared. Once the bulk of the crowd had gathered, one of the stage door minders announced to
"Feel free and take as many photos as you want, however, please don't ask them to pose for pictures with you. You can snap away, but there's
not a lot of time and they need to have their dinner break before the evening show."
The outer stage door was open and I could see the inner stage door where a sign was posted, noting that due to the nature of the play itself
complete silence backstage was requested by the cast when the play was taking place. Understandable. There is no background music, save for the
"scene" changes (if they can even be referred to as such) where "The Way You Look Tonight" is played. At times there was sound
leakage from Spamalot next door but it wasn't too bad.
Ian McDiarmid appeared first. Everyone applauded. He was so sweet. I had my Sharpie at the ready, but opted for a teal Sharpie rather than the
normal black. Ian signed my Playbill then looked at me and said "Nice color pen!" which made me laugh. How random yet totally fun of him
to notice I had a teal Sharpie. (Note: I was happy for my teal Sharpie when I saw the photos on my niece's camera. The shot with me and my big
stupid head is when Ralph actually signed my Playbill. I didn't realize it at first until I saw that he held a teal Sharpie in his hand. Yay!) Ian
made his way down the line then returned to the backstage area. I waited, wondering if Cherry would come out next. Or Ralph. Or both at once. I
fretted... what if Ralph DIDN'T come out at all? :(
Not even five minutes went by before the inner stage door again opened and there he was, directly in front of me. Ralph Fiennes. OH. MY. GOD.
I won't bother to describe what he wore, you can see it in the photos. I will say that I loved the fun, quirky Panama hat :D
Ralph started signing Playbills and autograph books (well, really looked more like lined notebooks bought over at the Duane Reade) for the people
to my left; four of them. Then he came to me. Ralph now stood maybe a foot away from me and I knew I had a small window of time before my Playbill
was returned. I handed over my pen and Playbill, then said that I had enjoyed his performance. I then added "I loved Land of the Blind. It was
a brilliant film" He looked directly at me, and had the sense from his expression that most people don't mention to him that they've seen the
film. He looked at me with a smile and said very sweetly (and in a soft, gentle tone) "Thank you." He handed back my pen and the next
person pushed forward a Playbill. I wished I could have had proper time to discuss Land of the Blind with him but there were a billion people out
there.
Those eyes. Holy crap! Photos do NOT do his eyes justice! They are the most beautiful eyes I have ever ever EVER seen. After spending two hours in
a darkened theatre, with well over an hour with Ralph forcefully commanding the stage, it was such a contrast to see him as he is, standing right
there in front of me. He's slight of build; very graceful and fluid in his movements, from the stroke of the pen to how he made his way down the
line of fans. I have seen various stats noting him to be six feet tall but I don't think he's taller than 5' 10". In the odd photos here and
there with Ralph and Joe together (during the Epitaph for George Dillon run), Joe seems much taller and his height too is listed a six feet.
There was something almost vulnerable about him. I said to my pals later on that I wanted to offer him some cocoa and make sure he was taken care
of. He looked like a little boy at times, his face lighting up as people spoke to him. Pretty girls got the bulk of the smiles *laughs* His skin
was perfect; he seemed squeaky clean, no trace of stage makeup. There have been some stage door pix posted of late where he's looking sort of
rough, tired out, spent but maybe he had a good night's sleep on Friday night or maybe those photos were taken from bad angles because he was
simply exquisite. Yeah, I know, I'm gushing like a big fan girl and I didn't expect to have such a reaction to seeing him in person. I somehow
thought that he'd not look sooooooo perfect. And nothing prepared me for those eyes. There is no movie, no photo, no TV interview that can prep you
for what his eyes look like in real life, up close.
Of course Ralph didn't' fully button up his shirt (no, I'm not complaining!) so there was that teasing bit of chest hair peaking out *smirks* It
was so tough to sort out where I wanted to focus my eyes. Once he had signed my Playbill I moved back to allow others to get closer but I sort of
followed where he was going (from a distance, not in that scary stalker/needs a restraining order sort of way) and watched him as he interacted
with the other fans.
He had smiles and laughs as he made his way to the end of the line, happily signing things handed over the heads of those closer and making sure
the items were returned to the hands from which they came. It seemed to me that as he made his way down the line, his comfort level grew so he was
a bit more chatty by the end of the line.
While I was scoping him out and he was signing, my niece was taking photos. It was beyond sweet of her because she's not a Ralph fan at all. She
wanted to make sure I had good photos of him so she totally rocks. And, because she's so excellent she said to me, once Ralph went inside, "I
took a picture of his ass for you" which cracked me up. His khakis were loose-fitting and his shirt untucked so there's not much ass to see
but it was awesome to see that she wanted to make sure she got all the best shots!
Ralph took great care in signing each item presented. Each stroke of the letters of his name was deliberate, not rushed, yet the only letters that
are very clear are the "Ra" in Ralph and the "F" of his surname. And he makes a very deliberate underline after finishing his
surname.
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Azaelia´s Faith Healer meeting on Broadway (August 2006)
On Wednesday, I saw FH! I have since been to visit my cousins for the rest of the week, so I didn't get here until now, unfortunately.
I'm so glad I picked Faith Healer as the play I'd see. I mean, there was really no question about it when I saw in the NY times that it was written
by Brian Friel and had Ralph in it, but I'm just supremely happy about the whole thing!
Anyway, on to the day in the city.
My stepmom was nice enough to take the long bus ride into the city with me (I'm 18, but my mom said there was no way I was going alone, which is
when my stepmom volunteered). When we finally got into NYC, it was about lunch time, so we took the chance to go scout out the location of the
theater (and good thing we did, since the first thing we did was take a wrong turn!) on our way to find somewhere to eat. We got lunch at Junior's,
a restaraunt that's inexpensive by NYC standards, and has the added benefit of being right across Schubert Alley from the theater. We were given
seats at a table right near the window, looking out at Booth Theater, which was awesome--I spent lunch alternating between bites of salad and
staring enthusiastically out the window at the theater. The staring actually paid off--I turned my head to get a bite of tomato, and when I looked
back, I saw this official-looking procession going down the alley, and definitely saw Ralph! (I got teased by my stepmom for getting really excited
about it but that was the moment where OMG it hit me that I was going to the play *gasp!*).
Anyway, we poked around Shubert Alley's Broadway shop after lunch (unfortunately, no Faith Healer paraphenilia to be found), but I couldn't wait
much longer--it was the hottest day of the year and I was too excited about the play to concentrate on anything! Luckily, because of the heat, they
were seating early, so at 1:30ish my stepmom left me for the modern art museum and I got my seat (10 rows from the stage!). I couldn't believe how
small the theater was--I'd been to see another broadway show a couple years ago, but that theater was giant! Booth is a wonderful space--small and
intimate, but comfortably so. I spent the half hour before performance conversing with the ladies behind me, both big Ralph fans, whee.
The show itself was spellbinding. Ralph was fantastic. I spent the first few minutes of his first monologue marveling at how different he looked
from the only other thing I'd seen him in to date (Schindler's List). He just inhabits characters, until it changes everything about him. He was
also a lot funnier than I'd expected--those of you who have already been to the play probably remember that endearingly absurd, overexaggerated
eyeroll thing he does that I found particularly amusing. I loved his green socks and tie (the tie kept getting a little flipped backwards by the
jacket, which only added to his characterization), and the pants on his costume were, I suspect, deliberately cut shorter than necessary just to
give those awesome socks their full potential. His performance was nuanced and layered and just wonderful beyond words.
Cherry Jones was next, and her monologue was also excellently done (I'd heard a mixed bag about her, but I loved her performance). She had a
very difficult line to walk between the slightly drunk and very depressed, and she did it beautifully.
During intermission, we were told we could move our seats (it wasn't entirely sold out), and the lady next to me and I had both had some trouble
with taller people in front of us, so we spotted these two seats in the fifth row (the last row of seats that has the aisle between) that weren't
taken, and jumped at the chance. I honestly couldn't believe my luck! As the show went on, it became apparent that there were a couple seats front
and center first row that hadn't been filled, but it was too late to move by then, unfortunately.
Ian McDiarmid was next, and the reviews don't exaggerate--he is hilarious. His monologue touched some deep territory, and it was a tribute to his
abilities that he was able to keep the audience with him the whole time, from laughing uproariously to actually being deeply moved.
Ralph again, at last. He's a little distracting up close...I kept noticing how good he looked, but that distraction didn't take away from his
terrific performance--a hauntingly enigmatic, elegiac finale that I know I'm going to be thinking about for a long time.
A well-deserved standing ovation and scattered cheering greeted the final bows. It was great to see the actors step out of character--they all
looked extremely happy. In their faces and eyes I could see the great joy that comes with that final swell of applause and with the freedom of live
performance. Both the lady I was next to and myself were completely blown away. Our reactions were something akin to "oh my god".
I got out of the playhouse as fast as I can without looking like I was in a rush, and my luck held--I met my stepmom and got a spot front and
center along the railing in front of the stage door. While we were waiting, she told me that she'd heard some people sounding disappointed, saying
that they didn't understand the play and it wasn't what they expected. I couldn't believe it! It was a show that made you think, certainly, and it
wasn't what I expected either--it was ten million times better. But I couldn't imagine being anything but extremely happy with having seen it.
Anyway, about that time, a large crowd had gathered, so I handed my camera off to my stepmom, and soon actors were coming out.
Ian McDiarmid was first. I was immediately struck by how human he was. I told him I thought he did a great job, and as he signed my playbill, we
laughed over my choice of pen--a green fine point sharpie. He also paid enough attention to notice when the guy standing beside me borrowed my pen,
and handed me my pen back as he gave the man his playbill. Gold star for attention!
Ralph was next, and greeted with a round of applause. I was dimly aware that my stepmom was using up just a little too much film (I think she's
been converted to Ralph fandom, even though she didn't see the play). He's a little overwhelming up close. He was wearing a white shirt that was
open fairly wide at the neck, and I think grey pants. If I was a fainting kind of girl let's just say I probably would have missed my chance to
actually meet him. All I had time to think was my god he's gorgeous, before he started making his way down the line. The lady on my left handed him
a poem she'd written, and he looked grateful, and I knew that I was up next but everything I had planned on saying went straight out of my head!
He's extremely, overwhelmingly handsome up close... He hit me with those piercing eyes of his and the first and only thing to fall out of my mouth
was "you're an amazing actor", which I felt was entirely inane, so I blushed bright red and couldn't look him in the face, just watched
his hands sign my playbill. I dared to look up when he was done, and got a shock--he was looking right into my eyes with the sweetest expression on
his face and in his incredible eyes... and I couldn't look away. All in all it lasted probably at the most one minute, but it felt like
forever--him looking at me like that and me looking back, shakily joyful and bright flaming red. I feel like I got a glimpse into his soul in that
instant and I think I almost fell a bit in love with what I saw.
Cherry Jones came out last. She carried her own marker, but I was still a little befuddled by the Ralph Experience, and besides, I thought inanely,
I wanted the colors to match. So there was a sort of fumbling moment where we were a little confused as to which thing she was going to use to sign
my playbill. I thanked her for her wonderful performance, and something shifted in the interaction--I got the sudden impression that I was talking
to her not as a fan but as another actress, an equal. Her eyes lit up and she said how lucky she felt to be working on the play, and it was such a
gorgeous script. I agreed with her, and added that Brian Friel was my favorite playwright, and then she had to move on. I'd be interested to know
if she got the same impression as I did.
I was left with the impression that all three were just incredibly nice people, and all people with whom I'd most likely get along very well, had I
had time to actually have a real conversation.
I'm campaigning for another trip to Broadway, but I don't think it's going to work out, unfortunately. I wish I'd found out about the play at the
of the play itself as I'd like.
I think FH is an absoloute must-see, for anyone who is a fan of the theater (or of Ralph!), and especially for anyone thinking of going into
acting... this is how it's done. I hope someday to be as good, but it looks like an awfully far-off goal to set.
Wish I hadn't been so inane with Ralph, I'm still embarrassed about it... it's not like "you're an amazing actor" is a stupid thing to
say, especially when it's true, but I had so many more intelligent things to say. Wish I'd told him, as I'd planned, that I was going into acting.
I'm a bit worried that he thought I'm younger than I am (I'm 18, but I look about 13 or 14, unfortunately). Oh well. It's over, and it turned out
great: the play was excellent, the best theater I have ever seen, and I got a minute or so with each actor afterwards. I think I lucked out!
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Luckystar´s Faith Healer meeting on Broadway (August 13, 2006)
I am writing this after spending a sleepless night. I saw the final performance and was more moved than I can describe. Honestly, it's truly
hard to put into words how great the performances were. The weather was perfect in New York yesterday, not the usual August heat and humidity that
makes the air so thick you feel like you can't breathe. It was around 85F (30C), sunny, and not a cloud in the sky. When we walked into the theatre
I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was such an intimate setting, and not a bad seat in the house. When the lights went down I have to
confess that hearing his voice set me in a state of disbelief. That's him - can it really be him - and sure enough there he was. All alone on stage
except for a few chairs and a banner. I probably spent the first few minutes staring and not absorbing the dialogue - his presence is mesmerizing.
I have seen many plays but never one where an actor is on stage alone for so long. It can't be easy to hold the audiences attention for so long -
but he did. I sat in the very back row (but still had a great view) so I could not see his eyes too clearly but was drawn to his hands. He seems to
know the littlest gestures that will bring you in. His voice is very commanding and you can hear the pain and anger in his voice when he talks
about the people that he heals/does not heal and the conflict he feels when this happens. The person who surprised me the most was Cherry Jones. I
found myself in tears when she was describing the stillborn birth of her baby in Scotland. When she talked about Frank and the abuse that she
suffered from him my heart went out to her. She was his wife who he called a mistress, made up stories about where she was from. And yet she always
loved him. I loved her description of the way he made her feel - "He obliterated me". Unfortunately - it happened. A cell phone rang.
Someone in the audience hissed "Damn you" to the person. But she never skipped a beat and pretended not to hear. Ian McDiarmid was
fantastic as Teddy. He really made you feel as if he were talking with you about Frank and Grace. He was incredibly funny. There were a few times
that he spilled his beer that made you understand how difficult that part of the story was for him to tell. He was delightful. And then Ralph came
on for the finale to tell his fate in Ireland. Again, I was blown away by his presence. Both Cherry and Ian had some props (whiskey, cigarettes,
beer, chair), but Ralph spent most of his time on his feet with nothing to work with. Except at the end when he goes to meet his fate. He puts his
coat on. And you realize what is going to happen to him in the courtyard. I am in awe. The audience gave them a standing ovation with many Bravo's.
Someone gave Ian a flower, Cherry a flower, and a bouquet of flowers to Ralph. I mentioned earlier that I was in the back row, well this ended up
being great luck when we went outside to get autographs. I was right up by the rail to get their autographs. We had to wait around 40 minutes I
think because they had many visitors. Ian McDiarmid came out first and was friendly and warm, talking to everyone. Then Ralph came out. Someone
mentioned earlier that he was a man of few words, and I didn't really see him talk to anyone. As a matter of fact, I thought he looked somewhat sad
and I felt bad for him. My friend said he was probably emotionally drained from his performance, he gives so much. Anyway, I hope he was happy with
his performance, because the audience loved him. He made his way down toward my end, signing everything but not saying much. There was a lady
standing in front of me and I handed my playbill over her shoulder to him. He signed it and then looked up to see where to hand it back and I said
"Ralph, thank you". And he looked at me and grinned. A minute before that I thought he had looked so sad. His smile lit up his face. He
is more handsome in person; the camera doesn't do him justice. I can't believe I was standing two feet away from him and he looked directly in my
eyes. His eyes are an incredible shade of blue (I honestly thought they were green) and he has a fantastic smile. I was completely dumbstruck and
could not think of anything to say. He got into a black Cadillac Escalade and drove away. I didn't see anyone waiting for him. Cherry Jones came
out after that and she was wonderful. She talked to all of the fans for minutes at a time. Hugged them, kissed them. She truly appreciates her
fans. When I first started lurking in this forum I couldn't figure out what to call myself. Then I finally convinced my friend to go and for some
reason that song by Madonna "Luckystar" was playing in my head all day, which is ironic, I'm not a big Madonna fan. And I have never felt
more lucky than I did yesterday. Last night I fell asleep to "Just the way you look tonight". A truly amazing experience.
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