08/19/2026
What a whirlwind, ridiculously delightful couple of days in NYC! 🩵🎭
I drove into the city with family/students to see Heathers, and after the show we spent some time with Zan in the theater before watching her head out the stage door to greet the crowd waiting for her.
I could watch that video on an endless loop.
Because THIS is the thing they work for. The job. Eight shows a week. Performing at this level night after night - and walking out the stage door to find people waiting for your autograph because they just watched you do the thing you've spent years working toward.
I was DELIGHTED.
The next day, I saw The Book of Mormon, where Purdy, who plays Elder Smith, had very generously put me on the backstage list.
Fun fact: Zan and Purdy are both Walnut Hill School for the Arts Class of 2016 graduates and friends. Now one is killing it Off-Broadway and the other on Broadway, just a few blocks apart every night.
Come ON. 🩵
I'm obsessed with The Book of Mormon, so I absolutely fangirled backstage. I looked at props, stood on the stage staring out at the theater, caught up with Purdy and told him how fantastic he was, and loved seeing another Walnut all grown up and living his dream on Broadway.
Then came possibly the funniest moment of my trip.
Walking toward the stage door, I asked Purdy if I should go out another way.
"No, Auntie. Greet the fans."
SIR. 😂
So I walked straight out the Broadway stage door and greeted the waiting crowd as though I had contributed literally anything to the performance they'd just seen.
I can only assume several mildly perplexed people thought, "Maybe she was in the pit?"
Two Walnut Hill graduates. Two hit NYC shows. Two young people I love with my whole heart out there doing the thing.
I smiled the whole train ride home.
And yes, I greeted the fans. 😂🩵🎭