Stage Door: Take Four

If you remember, the last time I was in NYC I showed up to the stage door three times in the hope of seeing Clay. On the stage as Sir Robin was the only time I saw him. But this time….

STAGE DOOR: TAKE FOUR

My sister, brother, nephew and I headed out from the hotel and over to the Shubert Theater alley where Juniors is located for some delicious cheesecake. My sister, Linda, and I shared a piece of something; raspberry swirl I think? I was getting too excited to remember, although I clearly know that Juniors cheesecake is magnificent. It was quite nerve racking - this was going to be my first time seeing Clay up close and personal, not counting first row of Spamalot. He was Sir Robin then, not Clay. My sister, Linda, does not consider herself a fan although she agreed to stand outside the stage door on three previous occasions. Her previous disappointment made her a little skeptical that Clay would make an appearance this night. She mentioned her skepticism to our waiter who kindly shared, with enthusiasm, about the crowds that the stage door brings each night. At least our waiter had a positive attitude.

As soon as the infamous Shubert Theater mustache guy came out and started to set up the gates, my nephew, Bret, and I rushed out of the restaurant leaving the bill behind for my brother and sister. My bad. For the first time I was front and center. Well, slightly right of center, but in the front none the less. Clay's bodygaurd, Jerome, came out to have a look around. Perfect timing for him to watch E! Entertainment interviewers attempting to get short interviews from people. Most people declined but naturally they finally got to the younger crowd hoping for their 15 minutes of fame, or .15 seconds, whichever. E! got their info, and quickly disappeared out of the alley. I was able to talk to Jerome during this time; that was exciting. No really. It was. I asked him if I could get a picture with him although apparently some unknown to the world Broadway rule restricts him from taking pictures with fans. He said he got in trouble for doing so because he didn’t know this unknown rule. Shady. So no picture with Jerome. He left about the time that E! did and a few very long short minutes he exits again with Clay. EEEEEEE! I’m sure he said good evening how is everyone doing? Or something to that effect. That seems to be a popular greeting in the videos I’ve seen but I have no idea what he said this evening. Clay was about halfway around the barricade with his greetings, signatures, and a few pictures and was about three or so people away from me. I flip my hair, straighten it back out, and have my playbill ready. And then….

Jerome, who had been meandering in the background, rushes up, grabs Clay, practically picks him up and pulls him back towards the stage door and into the hall. WTH. Three people away Jerome! Did I have bad breathe? Did he think I was some psycho stalker with an evil agenda? Did he know I was using a playbill from Clay’s first run; that I actually hadn’t seen Spamalot that night? But don’t people do that all the time? WTH. Oh but wait. There is the three E! interviewers rushing back into the alley with their cameras and microphones held high. Are you KIDDING me?!? How many years had I been waiting for this? I hate you all. Anyone affiliated with E! that is.

So no luck Thursday night. I did get the Lady of the Lake’s autograph. I had her sign the front of my playbill since she wasn’t actually listed inside.

As we were walking away we passed by the E! crew (two guys, one girl) where a quite obvious Claymate was expressing her feelings on the matter. I’m pretty sure she was standing next to me at the stage door so she hadn’t gotten an autograph either. The exchange of words was rather amusing. Naturally I had to stop and shake my head in agreement with her. Once her rant was over she huffed off with her friend and my sister asked for a picture of the E! crew. Amusingly enough the girl refused to be in it. Interesting, eh?

Coming soon... my trip to NYC.

This, my friends is Dr. Russel Mikkelson. And me, (and the reflection of my cellphone taking the picture for this blog because it was easier to just email it to myself instead of scanning it) but try to stay focused on Dr. Mikkelson thanks. This was a couple years ago but you get the gist. I hope.

Now you may ask. Who is this and what is the point of this blog? No worries. I shall explain. After which you still may wonder about the point of this blog but I think that’s most of my blogs right? Right. Moving on.

About Dr. Mikkelson…

He’s the director of University Bands at THE Ohio State University. He conducts the “Wind Symphony”. Which back in the day I think used to be called the “Concert Band” but I don’t think that was a fancy enough name for the top band in the School of Music so it was eventually changed. He’s in charge of a lot of other stuff irrelevant for my story but he’s pretty important. As a side note his looks kind of remind me of my dad. Kind of in the same way that Tom Selleck in his Magnum P.I. days did. Although Dr. Mikkelson and Tom Selleck don’t look much alike do they? In which case maybe neither one look much like my dad.

Anyhoo.

Upon starting as a music major at OSU I quickly became acquainted with Dr. Mikkelson. We had to audition for what band we would be in for the year. I decided to play the infamous “Improvisation et caprice” by Eugene Bozza (everyone knows that piece right?) I had played it in several competitions in highschool and I’m pretty sure I got some good scores. Or maybe not, I don’t remember, let’s pretend that I did. Either way I played it. It’s a fast song and if I could still play it you may be impressed. Or not. Whatever. Dr. Mikkelson was anyway. He said something to the effect of “that’s a lot of notes; very good!” Actually maybe he wasn’t that impressed but as a freshman it made me feel good. Coming out of the audition I decided that this is the best professor ever and ooh he is one good looking guy. I hope I’m in his band.

But I wasn’t. Dang it. I was placed into the symphonic band directed by Professor Blatti. He is a very good conductor and picked some good music. And somehow was always quite sweaty by the end of practice.

I think it was my third quarter into the year. A couple weeks into the quarter Professor Blatti slipped on the metal ramp on his way into Hughes hall; the mothership of the School of Music. You may be asking, why a metal ramp? That doesn’t seem very safe, especially in the winter with ice and snow. Well, it may have something to do with the fact that Hughes Hall is one of the oldest buildings on campus and has never had any renovations. Clearly this fact had many drawbacks. Metal ramps, no air conditioning, and practice rooms with ancient doors that occasionally, or at least once, locked you inside the room forcing you to climb out the window, crawl around on the roof, while looking into other practice rooms to find someone who could let you out of the practice room you were just in. Not that I ever had this happen. Although I might mention that for such an old building, the gutters are quite sturdy. Just an observation.

As a result of Professor Blatti slipping he pulled something, I don’t remember what but clearly important, and had to be out the rest of the quarter. Now what? Who’s going to conduct? Then Dr. Mikkelson comes in to provide us with an update and who will be taking his place for the rest of the quarter. Him. Omg Dr. Mikkelson is conducting the rest of the quarter? Omg omg omg. Did I look ok? Did I brush my hair before I left my dorm today? Do I have anything in my teeth? Have I practiced any of this music yet? What are we even playing? I don’t remember. I’m holding a saxophone. Do I know how to play a saxophone?

I guess the practice went okay though, I don’t remember any odd looks, although I do remember forgoing food or anything else and going straight to a practice room (not the one that locked people in) promptly after classes.

Anyway. It was a grand quarter and I’ve been a Dr. Mikkelson fan ever since. It’s a shame he’s married, has kids and is a bit older.

Oh. The point of this blog. I saw him today. Me and a few friends went to the marching bands pre-game performance and he conducted the Star Spangled Banner. It’s a little bit grayer but ooh… he still has that nice hair. I also noted that distinct conducting style that I always liked while making a mental note to get to the Wind Symphony concert this quarter.

Go Bucks!