i can't believe it worked
This fabulous, fabulous picture arrived in my mailbox today, along with an autographed Playbill and an additional picture of Julia with Sebastian Arcelus.
You're probably wondering how I got these, right? Well, they stem from a brainstorm I had several weeks ago when I saw Wicked. After the first time I saw the show, I picked up several extra Playbills on my way out of the theatre and didn't know what I was going to do with them. Then it hit me. I wrote letters to both Victoria Matlock and Kendra Kassebaum - in care of Playhouse Square - telling them how much I enjoyed the show and their performances. I included a Playbill and a SASE and asked if they could return it if they had the opportunity. I literally got Victoria's back within days. Like just enough time for it to arrive in Cleveland and for her to drop it back in a mailbox. Pretty cool.
After I saw the show a second time and fell even more in love with the awesomeness that is Julia Murney, I did the same thing for her. The only problem I foresaw in this case was that Julia was going on vacation a day later and I didn't know if the letter would actually ever get to her - but I was hopeful it would end up with the tour manager (or whoever) and be given to her when she returned at the next location.
When I picked up my mail after the Seattle trip, I was a bit disappointed not to find anything from Kendra or Julia. I told myself I'd hold out hope until Saturday then come to the conclusion that my great plan was only destined to work the once. (Hey, I was happy with the Playbill from Victoria and had, in fact, counted on hers being the only successful one since she's just the Elphaba stand-by and probably wouldn't get the mail the regular leads probably do.)
Fast forward to today.
I had checked my mail earlier this morning when I got home after grocery shopping - nothing. When I picked up my laundry from the dryer I felt possessed to check my mail again. Call it whatever you want, but I don't know why I did it. Anyway, I saw the manila envelope, flipped it over and saw the tiny "J" I had written on the corner. I raced back upstairs and slit open the envelope. Not only did the Playbill slide onto my desk, but the two pictures as well. How friggin' cool is that?! Then I flipped the pictures over and found notes! Dude, Julia Murney loves that I'm a zookeeper! Oh. My. God.
I'm still shocked and amazed. She's the coolest lady ever. Really.