For Even A Night ❉ Newsies

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Stagedoor)

So if you know me, you know I have the HUGEST crush on a certain someone named Ben Fankhauser.  I got tickets to see Beautiful for Christmas last year and had counted down the days until February 17th when my mom and I would make the drive to Miami to go see it (a 5 hour drive!!) and stay overnight in a Hampton hotel for the weekend.

This musical completely blew me away.  It was just as amazing as Newsies and I nearly cried.  I haven't been so amazed by a musical since Newsies.  I loved every second of it.  Every costume.  Every dance.  Every song.  It blew me away.

After the show I definitely wanted to stagedoor and the staff was so nice when I asked where it was and of course as soon as it was over I dragged my mom out to it.  I was the only one there.  Apparently nobody else knew about it maybe idk.  But I sat on the bench by the doors and waited with my mom.  It was a long time.  The musical ended around 10:15 and we didn't get to the car until around 12:30.  The cast was so nice they gave me hugs.

The girl who played Cynthia (one of my fav roles now she was so so good and so sweet) said that Ben and Julia (she played Carole and was fantastic omg) were in a meeting but she was gonna text them and tell them I wanted to meet them.

About a while longer of waiting Julia came out.  She was the sweetest person ever and gave me a ton of hugs and we talked about the musical and how it's cool they really play the piano live onstage during the show.

After a little more waiting Ben came out (I kid you not I nearly peed my pants my heart was like in my throat I was like oh gosh oh gosh omg) and he was like "I heard you guys had drove 5 hours to get here!" And he gave me a huge hug (Ben hugs are the best lemme just tell you) and I went through my backpack and found the note I'd written for him and gave it to him and he was so happy.  And then I got really shy and had to convince myself to do it but I quietly shyly asked if I could have a kiss on the cheek.  And I can't really remember his reaction (it was a good one though not bad) because I was slightly looking away hiding my face in shame but he was like "Sure!" And I may have almost fainted at that moment and *cue photo above*

He's a lot taller in person.  Or maybe I'm just shorter.  I'm barely 5'1 I'm shorter than everyone really.  Even though I was wearing character heels.

Anyways, last night was the best night of my life no joke.  Like everything else can go home this beats is all.  I got my chance to tell someone who's been my role model for such a long time just how much he's inspired me (also helps when you have a not so slight crush on them oops) and see a show I've fallen head over heels in love with.  I'm even using a song from it for college auditions I think (Happy Days are Here Again.  Cynthia sings it) I love the song "Beautiful" the message is so inspiring and I love the lyrics.  I had chills.

So thank you Cast of Beautiful for being the kindest people in the world.  For you getting all giggly asking "ooooh are you waiting for Beeeeeeennnnn?" And making me blush and laugh myself.  Meeting you guys was amazing and you all were fantastic in the show.  I wish my theatre would do this show.  I still feel bad I didn't know everyone's names but I do know I loved each and every one of them.  Thanks Julia for talking to me about the musical and the music and giving me such wonderful hugs.  You are CRAZY talented (live piano without sheet music like what?? How?) and most of all, thank you Ben.  You made a dream come true last night and I hope you know that.  I hope you liked my letter (even though I forget most of what it said but that's okay you'll know).  You were one of the sweetest most humble people I've ever met and seeing you so happy at the stagedoor made me even happier.  I'm also happy that I got more words out than "hi" "you did great" and "bye" even if I was still bouncing on my heels trying not to hyperventilate.  Last night will always be one of my favorites and one to remember for the rest of my life❤

"You've got to get up every morning, and show the world all the love in your heart." - Beautiful the Musical🎶