Added 6/10/02

I ventured to New York City for a theatre/sight seeing jaunt with some friends.  Low and behold I found out that Alan Rickman was appearing in Private Lives.  So, with that information, I headed up north.  Now, I have been a fan of his ever since I first saw him in Die Hard.  But it is his role in Sense & Sensability that totally has me entranced.

Anyway, the rest of the group was doing something else that night so I ventured down and bought a single ticket to the show.  As I sat down, I was filled with such anticipation!  The play did not disappoint and it was fabulous.  I met a new friend, Anna, whom I had the fortune to sit next too.  Not only was she also a Rickman fan, but she had also come to the show solo and we shared the same interests (namely British actors!).  She hails from Ottawa (shout to two other great Ottawans ~ Lou Lou and Minsky) and became an instant friend.

I wish I could have taken pictures in the show but it was not allowed.  Can you imagine Alan Rickman sitting in his pajamas for 1/3 of the show?!!  Yowza!

After the show, we waited at the stage door.  Lindsay Duncan emerged first.  She played opposite Mr. Rickman in the play.  She did win the lead actress in a revival play category at the Tony's, and for good reason (Rickman was robbed in his non-win).  Ms. Duncan is beautiful and signed autographs and posed for pictures.  We did wait a little while and passed the time talking to others who had waited.  Finally, he came out of the stage door and had a wonderful smile on his face.  He signed autographs and posed for pictures.  When it came time for him to be in front of us, he gave a smile and I asked for an autograph and picture.  With his luscious voice he said "Certainly.  I'd love to."  With that, I stood next to him and Anna took our picture (see note with picture) and I did the same for her.  We both told him that we loved his work and especially seeing him in Private Lives and made small chit chat.  He thanked us and then moved on to the next fan.  After he was done, he waved his driver off and walked down the street ~ ever so gallantly!

Anna and I were so excited!  We then walked to the corner talking like old friends and when it was time to part, we exchanged e-mail addresses, gave a hug of thanks and new friendship and back to our respective hotels.  Turns out she was in town to sing at Carnegie Hall (isn't that cool?!).

With all that said (I could go on and on about the whole trip!), here are the lovely pictures!  However, if you get a chance to be in NYC before September 1st (which is when the play ends), you have got to see Private Lives!

Ms. Lindsay Duncan signing autographs.  Very classy lady!

Mr. Rickman emerging from the theatre - dressed in black and looking wonderful!

Signing autographs for fans (note the poster this lady had - she had made a poster of the show as well as another one of a play that Lindsay Duncan had done).  It was awesome!

Yowza!  He's da man!

Signing playbills for his fans!

Now I must preface this next picture with this.  In no other picture on this trip did I close my eyes or look like I had tied one on.  However, and it has been just my luck, that I look like I've had too much to drink (totally sober!).  But I must put the picture up because he looks so fine in it!  So just ignore the chick in the green sweater!

Thanks for coming!

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