Thursday, August 02, 2007

A Highly Satisfactory Star Sighting


My boss, who is straight, is also a big show-tune queen. So when he visited me in New York last night I took him and some other colleagues out to dinner and then to Marie's Crisis for a round of Broadway show-tune belting.


Shortly after we arrived, the girl depicted in the above poster walked in with her mother. She had the starring little-girl-bitch role in one of my favorite all-time movies, Camp.



Needless to say, I was smitten.


Normally I don't talk to famous people in public, partly out of respect for their privacy, but mostly because I would feel like some gawky, stalkerish fan or something. But in this case I decided to approach her because she's not really famous enough to be annoyed by that sort of thing yet. Camp is the only film she's done, and I don't think it enjoyed any sort of prolonged theatrical release outside neighborhoods teeming with gay men, divas and other drama queens. Although the film does show up on the cable channels quite often - and I always make a stop there when surfing, of course.


Anyway, I figured since she's not really that famous she probably appreciates a certain amount of public adoration. Not to mention the fact that she showed up at a show-tunes piano bar frequented by gay men. I mean, helloooo! Craving attention much?


I debated with my colleagues (none of whom knew who she was) as to whether I should approach her - and they all urged me on, telling me I'd regret it forever if I let this one-in-a-lifetime chance pass me by. So I waited until we were ready to leave, and then I made my move.


"Hi! I didn't want to leave without coming over to say hello. You are the girl from that movie, aren't you?"


Ok, it was kind of dumb sounding, but I'm no expert at pickup lines or anything. At least not pickup lines for girly quasi-movie stars.


"No, I'm afraid I'm not. What movie are you talking about?" She was TOTALLY playing me. I liked it.

"Camp! You are the girl from Camp. I know you are. I really enjoyed your performance."


She smiled sheepishly, and then her mother broke in.

"Yes, it is her. She is very talented, isn't she?"


"Yes! I love that movie! I watch it all the time when I see it in the cable tv listings. I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your performance."


Giggle.



She really is cute, even if she played a total bitch . My God, I'm so predictable.



"Anyway, I just wanted to stop over before I left. My name is Tom." I offered my hand, which she shook.


"Thank you, nice to meet you!" She wasn't about to offer her name in return. And by the way, I am not mentioning her name in this post because I don't need her Googling to see what a dork I am.


All in all, this was a highly satisfactory star sighting. And not at all meaningless.

16 comments:

Coaster Punchman said...

As a footnote, can I just mention that "Camp" has been in my "Favorite Movies" profile list from the very day I started this blog? 'Nuff said.

jin said...

Awwwww....you are so not a dork.

*cue pg's rebuttal here*

* * * * * * * * * * *

I want to order:
SNAP PEAS
SUMMER FIELD TOMATOES
WILD MUSHROOMS AND GARLIC SCAPES
MEDITERRANEAN DIPS
and for dessert
SELECTION OF HOMEMADE ICE CREAM

Now, if that's not here within the hour I get it for free, right?

Dale said...

That's cool and also pretty funny that she'd end up there. Was her Mom wearing a Camp crew jacket?

I applaud you going over to say hi, I usually just point and stare until everyone gets uncomfortable.

Dino said...

that restaurant looks yummy. I don't think I would have had the nerve to walk up to her. Way to go

Coaster Punchman said...

Jin, you're really starting to know Poor George - good to see! And the restaurant was FABULOUS!

No crew jacket Dale, but I could tell she was your typical stage mom. Having been a recipient of your point-and-stare m.o., I can vouch for the shivers it sends up one's spine.

Thanks Katy - I do feel all the braver for it.

BeckEye said...

I just saw "Camp" last month on Showtime and loved it! I wanted to beat that kid's head in though...the lead guy who was a major attention whore. I've known too many spineless guys like that to fully enjoy his character.

Anonymous said...

Add to the list of CP movies that he must stop at while channel surfing:

Mommy Dearest, Not Without My Daughter, ANY made for TV Movie starring Meredith Baxter, Party Girl, The Breakfast Club, Trilogy of Terror, Welcome to the Doll House, or any other movie featuring dysfunctional female characters...

Does this hint at a propensity for female psycho-energy in the CP?? Stay tuned kind readers, stay tuned...

Cup said...

I wanna go to Marie's Crisis.

Moderator said...

"Anyway, I figured since she's not really that famous she probably appreciates a certain amount of public adoration. Not to mention the fact that she showed up at a show-tunes piano bar frequented by gay men. I mean, helloooo! Craving attention much?"

I got a healthy laugh out of that.

Coaster Punchman said...

I'd have to agree Beckeye, and I figure he's probably a bit like that in real life. I'm also in love with the "scary little girl" - remember her?

Beth, just name your date and we'll be sure to take you there.

We aim to please, Mr. Miller.

Coaster Punchman said...

What else would you think with you making me live here under Mama Gin all these years, PG?

Joe said...

I've just added "Camp" to our Netflix list. Strange, me being a middle aged married guy living in the suburbs of Chicago, but I'd never heard of it until now.

Sounds like a cool night. That restaurant looks incredible...and Marie's Crisis sounds like a blast.

Coaster Punchman said...

Yes, Savoy comes highly recommended. Let me know how you like "Camp." Nice songs in it.

Dr. Monkey Von Monkerstein said...

The oly way you could have been gayer was if you had threatened to scratch her eyes out if she that outfit again.

Coaster Punchman said...

Well, I guess I'm not that gay. I'd be a garish drag queen.

Chancelucky said...

For the last couple months, the version of Sondheim's Ladies Who Lunch, used in Camp, has been on my MP3 player. I guess I liked that whole scene of the girl putting ammonia in the lead's drink or whatever it was then coming out completely prepared to perform.

So had the girl she poisoned's throat recovered? Maybe she didn't say much because of thst.