Schwimming Upstream

In earlier Hollywood Insider entries (the ones on my website, not this blog) I kept records of famous people that I have encountered in my own quest for stardom. The list is short - I rarely see celebs let alone get a chance to talk to them. To recap, there was Joan Jett (of Blackhearts fame) whom I sat next to during a wedding scene of the indie feature film "The Sweet Life", Liza Minelli who I squared off with in a jazz dance class and Mary Stuart Masterson who I spoke to briefly at a film festival.

Well, last night, I had another close encounter. I was attending a performance of Adam Rapp's new play "Red Light Winter" at the Barrow Street Theatre in the West Village and during intermission I saw David Schwimmer (of "Friends" fame). Well, I am not even a big David Schwimmer fan necessarily - although I did enjoy him in Neil LaBute's "Some Girls" in London last year - but I am just so star struck whenever I see a celebrity....and this occasion was no exception.

David was standing next to another man who I thought resembled Anthony Rapp brother of Adam (and star of Rent, the Broadway musical and the movie). I was with a work colleague and she kept telling me to "stop staring!". I couldn't help it. It was like seeing an amazingly attractive girl and feeling compelled to look. That same compulsion morphed into the strong desire, nay, need to say something to him. I had seen a few others wander up to him and say a few words which I assume were things along the lines of "hey, loved you on friends" so I decided to go with "hey, saw you in "Some Girls" in London and really enjoyed the show". I thought I might score points with my worldliness....or whatever.

Next thing I knew I was standing next to David and those words were spewing forth from my mouth. My heart was pounding, my knees were like jell-o.....it truly was like approaching a girl that is way out of your league. David was very nice and gracious and thanked me as I repeated how great I thought he was in it. There was then a slightly awkward (for both of us I believe) pause before he asked me how I was liking the show we were currently attending. See I had not planned to be so intrusive into their conversation so I did not want to say anything to extend things beyond my initial salvo, however, he opened the flood gates with a question and thus, with that opening, my words came pouring through those gates in torrents.

I started spouting some crap about how I was a writer too and that Red Light Winter is exactly the kind of play I want to write, sharp wit, but very dramatic and poignant. Jeez, I felt like a total poseur - particularly since I was wearing a suit and tie and glasses - I couldn't have looked more corporate and less artistic if I had tried. Then I turned without taking a breath and said to the man standing with David that he looked familiar too. David informed me that he was an actor as well. I asked him his name and he confirmed my suspicion that he was, in fact, Tom McCarthy.

Now, many of you probably don't know him by name, but may have seen his movies or plays. He has been in "Meet the Parents", "Syriana", "Good Night and Good Luck" as well as several TV series. He also wrote the film "The Station Agent" with Peter Dinklage. I had seen him on Broadway with Peter Gallagher in "Noises Off" a British farce, but more close to home, he actually grew up in my hometown and our parents are friends. I quickly reminded him of this fact, but he didn't seem as impressed as I was about this.

Now all this time I had completely neglected to introduce my colleague, not out of sheer rudeness, but because (1) I had temporarily forgotten her name and (2) I was too busy nervously chatting away with my celeb men. Tom finally interrupted me and like a true gentleman stuck his hand out and introduced himself to my colleague. Then David did likewise. I lamely pretended to facilitate the introduction repeating names after they had been said and gesturing to each speaker. After that, the lights flickered indicating that we should return to our seats. They were both polite in their closings. I shook hands with Tom and he said "Tell your parents I said 'hi'". I shook hands with David and he said "Good luck with your play". I was impressed with both comments as it showed they had at least listened to the conversation. I cursed myself that I could not be that calm, but secretly challenged them to do better if I were the famous one and they the star struck imbecile. Ha!

I could not believe how nervous I was during this entire exchange. I often fantasize about meeting a famous actor and being so cool and calm and we would totally hit it off and ask me to be in their next movie. Now I'll be happy if they don't take out a restraining order on me. When the lights came up at the end of the show David and Tom made a quick exit. My colleague joked that they were hustling to get out before that nervous stock broker came looking for them.

So that was my latest celebrity encounter. How was the play? Oh, excellent. Two thumbs up. Actually, it's exactly the kind of play I want to write. ;)