Well actually, I went to her.
To my surprise, yesterday my CFO, Paul Mitchell, coordinated two 2nd row center seats to the Carrie Fisher Broadway show, Wishful Drinking, in New York City, at Studio 54. I was more than delighted to head back to the city for a night out as I’ve always enjoyed her work and was looking forward to seeing her. But wait, this gets even better.I was asked by Carrie to join her on the stage to help demonstrate a life-size statue of her. Being more than comfortable on any set or stage I quickly jumped up to lend a hand. What happened next will forever be one of my most memorable experiences of my life. With my heart racing, and my body calm I was more than willing to help, and as I looked out to the audience I remembered that it was not so long ago I said to myself “One day I will be on Broadway!” and gosh darn it that just came true. With the Carrie Fisher no less – I mean come on, Princess Leia! I was elated by what was happing to me, so I went with her.
I was asked by Carrie to join her on the stage to help demonstrate a life-size statue of her. Being more than comfortable on any set or stage, I quickly jumped up to lend a hand. What happened next will forever be one of the most memorable experiences of my life. With my heart racing, and my body calm I was more than willing to help, and as I looked out to the audience I remembered that it was not so long ago I said to myself, “One day I will be on Broadway!” and gosh darn it, that just came true. With the Carrie Fisher no less – I mean come on, Princess Leia! I was elated by what was happing to me, so I went with her.
She started to talk about how being Princess Leia meant having to wear her hair rolled up in that famous cinnamon-bun hairdo, and “always wondering if it looked ridiculous on me” and so “would you mind trying it on so I could see how it really looked on someone?” Where is this all going? From the gallery above the stage, a similar wig descended on a wire. I did not have to think twice about what was to come. She asked if I would mind trying it on so she could see (and the entire sold-out theater) if she was right. Being a good sport, of course I went with her direction, turned my back while she put it on me, and then turned around for the big reveal: Mar Jennings on stage with Carrie Fisher aka Princess Leia – both of us with matching hairdos. I was quick on my toes and said, “Help me Obi Wan Kenobi.” The audience howled and so did Carrie.
Wait, it gets even better. She then asked me “Mar, would you mind closing the first act?” “Not at all!” I quickly responded, not knowing what was to come next. “Read the cue card and I’ll take it from there.” So here was my chance to close the first act of a Broadway show, reading lines provided for me. I remembered all the other monitors and cue cards I have read over the years, but this was unlike anything else I have ever done. For heaven’s sake, I’m on Broadway! I used my hands, read clearly and confidently and with all the excitement of the moment I can’t even tell you what I said. But I do know this, once I was done she took my hand, threw me on the couch and kissed me as the curtains went down. I arose with the production team around us saying, “wow have you done this before? You were great.” Carrie thanked me for being such a great sport and posed for a photo with me that would eventually be sent to me.
I returned back to my seat with everyone asking me if I was a “plant.” It took me a moment to really appreciate just what happened. I was just on Broadway with Carrie Fisher. I pulled out my iPhone and tweeted this before the 2nd act.
As the light dimmed, and the 2nd act began, Carrie referred to me several times repeating my name for all to hear. Mar this, Mar that, then followed by calling me up to the edge of the stage to give me an erotic spinner game with a note ” Mar, we’ll always have Studio 54, love Carrie Fisher”.
Just when I thought it was all over and my high was slowly returning to normal, she closed the show with that photo of us for all to see. You can definitely tell we were having a “blast”.
I leave you with this. Yesterday Carrie Fisher entered my orbit and now the force is with me. Luke, I am your brother.
