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PERSONAL
EXPERIENCES
April 19, 2005 :: Mount Pleasant,
Michigan
Where do you start?
(I don't know, so I'll just dive in!) After finding out, from another Bea fan, Zack, that Bea Arthur would be appearing in Mount Pleasant in April of this year, I knew I couldn't pass it up this time. It had been four years since I last saw Bea's show when she was in Chicago. Enough time had passed where it would be fun again to see Bea and be reminded on parts of the show that I have forgotten about or that were not on the CD, as well as, any additions. I usually go to Michigan in April anyway, so there really was no reason not to go! In addition to all of those excuses, I could also visit with college friends that I haven't seen in years who live near by. A win, win, win situation. But, of course, I wanted to visit one other 'friend', Bea herself. So, I prepared.
When my college friend, Paula, and I arrived at the venue we walked around the outside of the stage area and started scoping out where the stage door would possibly be. This is a must for all people to do when attending a performance. We then realized we had an hour to spare, so we focused our priority on alcohol. On my way to the bar, I passed a few people saying my name. To my surprise they said they recognized me from the web site, how fun! (I forgot that I announced to the world that I would be there at this point).
After our drinks, we headed into the seating area. I was really pleased with how packed the space was and furthermore, the space was quite large! We then found our seats where I soon met Zack, who I knew would be at the show. After, chatting with him some, I sat down to soon find out that the person behind me also had visited the web site and recognized me. It started to feel like a Bea Arthur convention! I love chatting with Bea fans in person, so much better then email only, though I do enjoy that too. Anyhow, the people we set across from where also fans of Bea and had great appreciation of her for who she is, not just from the Golden Girls, as most people only know Bea from. I always love the dynamics of diversity of the audience at a Bea Arthur show. Then the lights went down and the show began just the way it always has... with a leg of lamb!
During the show I jotted down notes so I could compare with the notes I took
at the performances 4 years ago. Most of the show was the same, but I was really
excited to had finally hear Bea sing the song about her 'happening to like New
York', which was since added to the show from when I last saw it. I believe the
song was added after 9/11. The other thing I noticed about her performance, was
there were even longer famous pauses and some new yells and grunts from Bea at
appropriate places in her dialog that you can't help but laugh out loud at. The
interaction between Bea and Billy were more intense, showing that they still
are enjoying each other's company on stage. Finally, something unexpected happened.
The drinks had caught up with both Paula and I and we were forced to get up just
before the end of the show to use the restroom. Glad we did, for we would have
never been able to make it back if we waited any longer. I had to make note of
this event, because at the time it was THE most important thing to us :)
After Bea took her bows and walked off the stage, the adrenaline started to flow
into me, for I had a mission to execute now. A few others and I stayed back while
everyone headed out of the venue. Soon, more of Bea fans started to hold back
and congregate to the same area I was at. Again, I was delighted to have met
even more fans and got to chat with them some. I wanted to chat more, but simultaneously
I was fighting with the security people who were trying to push us out. I had
to then make it clear, that I had previously written a few letters to Bea and
her personal assistant about being able to see her after the show. I had received
a letter back that I should wait at the stage door, for my name was on the list.
However, when I told this to the security people, they couldn't have cared less and told me and the rest of us to move on out. At that point, I didn't know what to do, so we started to head out extremely slowly where I began chatting again with other Bea fans when suddenly someone yelled, "who is Kevin?" As I approached the man, I finally saw my name on a piece of paper with the number 2 next to it. Following a conformation that I would be able to come back stage with my guest there was some confusion. He asked me who was all with me and I said that I had Paula with me as the guest, but the other people around were all fans of Bea. However, being that there was a number 2 next to my name, only Paula and I were given the passes. I felt horrible that Bea wasn't
doing a general meet and great and that I had to leave the other fans behind.
I only hope that they understand, for I put in over a months worth of work, let
alone five years on this web site, to get to this opportunity.
After walking up on the stage and moving around the maze of curtains, Paula and
I were introduced to Ms. Arthur. Though excited, I was not nervous or tongue-tied
as before when I met her. Bea then said to me, "So you are the guy with the really
long name" and Paula replied, "it's a weird name, we used to call him Buttstealer
in school". Right then and there I knew I was off to a good start! *sigh* Anyway,
we chatted for a bit on how Bea did receive my long letter (which I really tried
to keep short) and how I knew her personal assistant. Being that I explained
what I have done on the web site over the past five years in the letter, I felt
there was no reason to repeat myself now knowing for certain that she did get
the letter and the pictures that I sent to here of both meeting her and when
another Bea friend of my, Jessica, got together on her 80th birthdays and when
through each other's scrapbooks. Billy, then came into the room and we shook
his hand and greeted each other as well. He is always such a delight to see and
meet. Anyhow, all I asked for in the letter was to simply say 'hi' and felt that
I got more then that, so when I felt it was time to go, I asked for a picture
with her which she gracefully accepted. After taking a photo with me and then
Paula, Bea turned to Paula and said, "I got something for you!", "do you live
around here?" Paula said that she did and Bea got up and went over to the dressing
room mirror where she grabbed the vase of flowers that where sitting on the piano
during the performance and gave them to Paula. Paula started to cry as Bea explained
that she hated to waste the flowers, as she couldn't bring them with her on her
soon trip back to her next destination. We then left dressing room and headed
back out to the stage where the security people were eager to get us out. I reached
in my pocket to get my cell phone out to check the time and the security guard
asked, "ok, what did you forget that you need to go back". I was happy to say
that I was completely satisfied with my visit and was not trying to get anything
more.
Now, the mission was accomplished and I was completely happy with how everything
turned out. I did wish I could have gotten a photo with Billy, but when I was
in Bea's dressing room, I got tunnel vision and didn't noticed that he slipped back out before I noticed. Also, in hindsight, I wish I got a group photo of all of Bea fans that were waiting around after the show. That would have been perfect for this web site! However, I assumed that everyone was told to leave after I went back stage and that still upsets me some. So, a note to those people :: It was nice meeting you all and would have loved to talk with you more. I tried to get you all to see Bea, but they weren't having any of it. Many people think that I'm bosom buddies with Bea, but I'm not... I'm
just a fan.
While waiting in the casino for another friend to join us for dinner, I did get
to chat with 3 other fans of Bea and that was a lot of fun. Paula was in her
glory, carrying around the vase of flowers and I was trying to come down from
the excitement. It was definitely another memory that I will never forget and
talk about for years. So, thank you Bea, thank you Dan and thank you Zack, for
I couldn't have been able to pull this off without you! I'm not going to lay
back and continue working on this web site and enjoy hearing from other Bea fans
who get the same honor as I did in the following months and years. Four years
ago I would have never guessed that I would have another chance to see Bea, let
alone meet her again. I now look forward to the next four, plus years!
Kev!
P.S. I wanted to get my little, lengthy story up on the web, as soon as possible,
so bare with my grammar, I will proof it later :)
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