Shrek The Musical

So if you know me at all you know I am just short of being OBSESSED with musical theatre, and thanks to my job, I get to travel to New York a couple of times a year.
I listen to Broadway's Best on my satellite radio and in March - the sound track for "Shrek The Musical" was being released. The week before it was released they previewed the entire soundtrack and had interviews with the cast, etc. I downloaded it as soon as it was available and played it and played it and played it! It is so funny and clever. So when I found out I was going to be making another trip to NY the end of April, it was the number one thing on my list to do - and I was bound and determined to have enough free time this trip to go!
My dear friend Kathleen (who lives in New York) obtained a coupon and purchased us tickets for the show. I could hardly wait! Kathleen was looking forward to it as a friend of hers is in the show. John Tartaglia plays Pinocchio in the show. John is an unbelievably talented person. I first saw John on Broadway in Avenue Q, where he played/puppeteered the roles of Princeton and Rod. He was nominated for a Tony for that performance. You may know him (if you have very small children) from the Disney Channel. He was the Creator/Executive Producer and star of the children's show "Johnny and the Sprites". Kathleen was the Accountant on that show and that is how her and John became friends.
The show itself was everything I had hoped for and more! Christopher Sieber who plays Lord Farquaad plays the show on his knees! You have to see it in person, hilarious! Anyway after the show, Kathleen and I did something I have never done before. We went to the stage door to wait for the cast as they departed. I have never been comfortable doing this - but this may now have all changed! I ended getting my Playbill signed by all five of the main cast members and my picture taken with Brian D'Arcy James (Shrek), Daniel Breaker (Donkey) and of course John! John was so excited to see Kathleen he just jumped in and gave her a huge hug, and he thought we had met before and I also received a giant hug before he even realized we were strangers! That did not stop him, when Kathleen formally introduced us, I got another huge hug! What a doll! The three of us talked for a bit, while other fans patiently waited for their turns at autographs and pictures. John is honestly one of the sweetest people I have ever met - so funny and genuine. This whole experience truly gave me a night at the theatre that I will never forget!