[Ponine]

Thank you GC.


I had friends in L.A. that had told me about the show, how powerful it was... then it went to NY, and they happened to be there.
Being huge Broadway musical fan, and a fruit fly from the word go, I was sent a sweatshirt from Broadway, a CD of my very own, and a video of press footage that included a note, "Tell no one where you got this"

I was in love.

I wanted to be Mimi, all encompassing. Unfortunaltley, there is far too much of me to be a convincing drug addict.
So, I settled for Joanne. But with no one looking, I can still belt the hell out of Mimi.
I learned La Boheme in HS and college, so the story was easy for me to follow. Figuring out the intricacies was the hardest part.

All the men were powerful singers, and for me thats a huge part of loving any musical.

The story of Angel and Collins, thier love, and subsequnetly, thier loss, was very importatnt to me at the time.
I had just found out my dearest friend, and love in the world was HIV positive. I know, its not a death sentance anymore. Still.
It doesnt change the fact that I was upset that he had known for four years, and not told me.

To this day, I cannot hear "I'll Cover You Reprise" with out feeling the pang, and I cannot see that number live without weeping. I fear that someday I will be in that same place, and I do NOT look forward to it.

It had a very different impact and my reasons for loving it are different, but I'm right there with you GC.
I've now seen the show five times. Not enough to make me a true rent-head. But enough to know when its being done right.